Why the article is helpful
- Tested two ballots which differed in language at 3 geographic locations
- Report listed out areas with issues and areas that were successful
- Includes recommendations for plain language
Research was conducted on plain language voting instructions compared to standard language voting instructions in three different geographic locations. It was found that the participants were able to vote more accurately and overwhelming preferred the plain language ballot. Participants who first used the plain language version were able to better perform on the standard language version as well. Included in the report were recommendations for incorporating plain language into ballots.
Additional details
What we learned:
- Participants voted more accurately on the ballot with plain language instructions
- Participants who first used the plain language version were able to better perform on the standard language version
- Lower education was associated with more errors
- Education made a slightly greater difference for the standard language version than for the plain language version
- participants could tell the difference in the language of the two ballots
- Participants overwhelmingly preferred the plain language instructions
Links to article
Redish, J. G., Chisnell, D. E., Newby, E., Laskowski, S. J., & Lowry, S. (2009). Report of Findings: Use of Language in Ballot Instructions. Retrieved from http://www.nist.gov/itl/vote/upload/NISTIR-7556.pdf