The nonpartisan standards are designed to support local election departments to improve election operations and build trust with the public. They are designed by local election officials, designers, technologists and other experts. These standards have related resources to their support achievement.

If you are a local election official, an election expert, or a member of an organization that supports voters, let us know what you think of the draft standards! Your feedback will shape the final standards and help us define excellence for the future of U.S. election administration. Plan to spend 7 min - 42 min completing the form depending on how many standards you want to provide feedback on.

Communications is about educating voters and building public trust in elections. While the ways to reach voters have grown, communication remains central to helping voters navigate the election process. From special media requests to everyday interactions that answer voters’ questions, all election offices play an important role in this work. The six communications standards define excellence for communications.

Plain language
Your election office writes and speaks in a way that allows voters to easily find, understand, and use the information they need. To achieve this standard:

• Your public materials have a clear purpose that voters can easily identify.
• You use language that speaks directly to voters: it is in active voice, uses simple words and sentences, and defines jargon.
• You test public materials with your audience to ensure they meet their intended purpose and are appropriate for your community.

Why this standard matters
It is important that we are explicit about the underlying why for each standard. While not attached to measurements, the intended impact of an election department achieving this standard is that:

• Voters with some disabilities can understand information in plain language more easily.
• Voters can participate in elections more easily with the information your office provides.
• All voters can understand materials that your office provides.

Information design
Your election office uses design and accessibility best practices to format information so it is easy to find, understand, and use. To achieve this standard:

• You consider the voter journey as voters interact with the information you share, publish, and create.
• You follow accessibility standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) that are relevant to each publication format.
• You use design elements like structure, hierarchy, typography, visuals, and color to communicate meaning and help voters navigate materials.
• You produce materials that have a consistent look and include key contact information for your office.

Why this standard matters
It is important that we are explicit about the underlying why for each standard. While not attached to measurements, the intended impact of an election department achieving this standard is that:

• Voters will be able to understand and navigate election information.
• The public will easily identify trusted materials from your local election office.
• Your election office will save staff time by reducing confusion and questions.

Language access
Your election office understands your voters' language needs and prioritizes their preferred languages, dialects, and communication modes. To achieve this standard:

• You use trusted data, information, and community relationships to identify your voters’ language access needs.
• You develop a plan that includes procedures for translation, interpretation, usability testing, and language resources.
• Your website, voter education materials, and media outreach are easily available in formats that meet your voters’ language needs.

Why this standard matters
It is important that we are explicit about the underlying why for each standard. While not attached to measurements, the intended impact of an election department achieving this standard is that:

• Election departments will have meaningful relationships with communities who communicate in ways other than written and spoken English.
• Voters will have the information they need to cast their ballots and have their votes counted.

Voter communications
Your election office effectively distributes information through a variety of mediums that best reach your voters. To achieve this standard:

• You understand the demographics, communication preferences, and digital connectivity needs of your voters.
• You use the right blend of communication mediums – such as print, digital, audio, in-person, etc. – to reach your voters.
• You have information on an accessible, secure, and mobile-friendly government website to answer voters’ top questions and offer transparency into the election process. It is accessible for voters with disabilities.
• You address incorrect information by consistently stating factual and transparent information about the election process.

Why this standard matters
It is important that we are explicit about the underlying why for each standard. While not attached to measurements, the intended impact of an election department achieving this standard is that:

• Election departments will be established as the authoritative source for election information.
• The public will have access to reliable, easy-to-understand information about all stages of the voting process.
• The public will better understand what election information is verified and what is not.

Community relationships
Your election office builds and maintains strong relationships in your community that foster trust in the election process. To achieve this standard:

• You build relationships in your local government and with community partners that represent a range of voter demographics.
• You maintain community contacts, and relationships continue through staffing changes.
• You solicit, document, and act on relevant feedback from voters and partners in your local community.
• You identify misconceptions about elections and respond accurately and in a timely manner.

Why this standard matters
It is important that we are explicit about the underlying why for each standard. While not attached to measurements, the intended impact of an election department achieving this standard is that:

• Election departments will have a network of trusted partners that extend their reach into communities, with less legwork for their offices.
• Communities will receive voter education that is relevant to their needs in areas such as language, literacy level, and disability.
• The public will have more confidence and trust in election offices because they are receiving consistent updates about elections from a range of credible voices.
• Election departments maintain relationships that withstand staff turnover.

Media relationships
Your election office proactively builds and maintains relationships with members of the media to communicate accurate election information. To achieve this standard:

• You designate a person who is responsible for media relations and shares consistent messaging with all staff.
• You train all representatives of your election office to know how to respond to media inquiries based on their role.
• You have an up-to-date plan for how to set expectations and communicate with the media.
• You maintain media contacts, and relationships continue through staffing changes.

Why this standard matters
It is important that we are explicit about the underlying why for each standard. While not attached to measurements, the intended impact of an election department achieving this standard is that:

• Election departments will have strong relationships with the media to promote transparent election information.
• The public will have access to trusted election information through different media sources.
• Election departments will be prepared to navigate challenges that require communicating through the media.