VOTR
VOTR
A mobile app that leverages AI to encourage voting by simplifying voter understanding, especially for first and second-generation Americans.
A mobile app that leverages AI to encourage voting by simplifying voter understanding, especially for first and second-generation Americans.
Overview
Overview
TIMELINE
2 weeks
Nov 2024
TIMELINE
2 weeks
Nov 2024
DISCIPLINES
User Experience Design
User Interface Design
DISCIPLINES
User Experience Design
User Interface Design
ROLES
UX Research
UI/UX Mobile Design
Prototyping
ROLES
UX Research
UI/UX Mobile Design
Prototyping
TOOLS
Figma
TOOLS
Figma
ROLES
UX Research
UI/UX Mobile Design
Prototyping
TOOLS
Figma
TIMELINE
2 weeks
Nov 2024
DISCIPLINES
User Experience Design
User Interface Design
The Challenge
The Challenge
While voting is at the heart of American democracy, many people still don't make it to the polls, whether that is due to issues such as additional barriers to voting, a lack of understanding of the process, or a feeling that their vote would not make a difference. This challenge sparked a project in my USC Iovine and Young Academy course, where we pitched to Josh Auffret, head of UX Programs and Operations at Google. Our task was to create an app that leverages AI, which would encourage specific community groups (excluding college students) to vote in both national and local elections. As my team explored this problem space, we asked ourselves:
While voting is at the heart of American democracy, many people still don't make it to the polls, whether that is due to issues such as additional barriers to voting, a lack of understanding of the process, or a feeling that their vote would not make a difference. This challenge sparked a project in my USC Iovine and Young Academy course, where we pitched to Josh Auffret, head of UX Programs and Operations at Google. Our task was to create an app that leverages AI, which would encourage specific community groups (excluding college students) to vote in both national and local elections. As my team explored this problem space, we asked ourselves:
Which demographic group consistently has a lower voter turnout rate, and what can an app do to increase it?
Which demographic group consistently has a lower voter turnout rate, and what can an app do to increase it?
The Process
The Process
Research
Research
My team researched data from Pew Research Center regarding voter turnout rates for previous years’ elections, discovering that the percentage of voters in the midterm election was significantly lower compared to that of the presidential election. Even so, the United States consistently lags behind other established democracies in terms of voter turnout. My team brainstormed a diverse group of voters and their pain points: indifferent voters, high school students, the elderly, and parents. However, upon further research from the United States Census Bureau, we discovered that first and second generation Americans make up 20% of eligible voters, but often face additional barriers to participation. We decided to create an app that would help these citizens foster a better understanding of the voting process.
My team researched data from Pew Research Center regarding voter turnout rates for previous years’ elections, discovering that the percentage of voters in the midterm election was significantly lower compared to that of the presidential election. Even so, the United States consistently lags behind other established democracies in terms of voter turnout. My team brainstormed a diverse group of voters and their pain points: indifferent voters, high school students, the elderly, and parents. However, upon further research from the United States Census Bureau, we discovered that first and second generation Americans make up 20% of eligible voters, but often face additional barriers to participation. We decided to create an app that would help these citizens foster a better understanding of the voting process.
We created three different personas, each one reflecting a different age, ethnicity, and occupation demographic. We highlighted the top pain points first and second generation Americans feel towards voting: time-consuming, information overload, language barrier, skepticism, and lack of political efficacy.
We created three different personas, each one reflecting a different age, ethnicity, and occupation demographic. We highlighted the top pain points first and second generation Americans feel towards voting: time-consuming, information overload, language barrier, skepticism, and lack of political efficacy.
Wireframing
Wireframing
Before we prototyped the app on Figma, we sketched out wireframes on a whiteboard, discussing which features would be essential to the app. Our main goals? To simplify political information for easier understanding, highlight how specific policies may impact the user, and build the user’s confidence in political participation.
Before we prototyped the app on Figma, we sketched out wireframes on a whiteboard, discussing which features would be essential to the app. Our main goals? To simplify political information for easier understanding, highlight how specific policies may impact the user, and build the user’s confidence in political participation.
Final Product
Final Product
Our final app is called VOTR, which simplifies the voting process, underscores the importance of the user’s vote, and breaks many common barriers to voter participation. Through educational modules and personalized content, VOTR aims to encourage stronger civic engagement by helping users feel more comfortable and confident at the ballots.
Our final app is called VOTR, which simplifies the voting process, underscores the importance of the user’s vote, and breaks many common barriers to voter participation. Through educational modules and personalized content, VOTR aims to encourage stronger civic engagement by helping users feel more comfortable and confident at the ballots.
VOTR’s onboarding process is straightforward. The AI model begins by understanding the user’s demographic background and interests. Through simple questions, it then creates a personalized experience to ensure everyone can meaningfully engage with the platform.
VOTR’s onboarding process is straightforward. The AI model begins by understanding the user’s demographic background and interests. Through simple questions, it then creates a personalized experience to ensure everyone can meaningfully engage with the platform.
In the Voting tab, VOTR displays information about candidates relevant to the closest upcoming election and their region, whilst allowing users to learn about the voting process, how to vote, and why voting is important. Because a major hurdle to participation for immigrant voters is the language barrier, VOTR makes it easy to change the language using the globe icon in the top right corner.
In the Voting tab, VOTR displays information about candidates relevant to the closest upcoming election and their region, whilst allowing users to learn about the voting process, how to vote, and why voting is important. Because a major hurdle to participation for immigrant voters is the language barrier, VOTR makes it easy to change the language using the globe icon in the top right corner.
In the education module, AI greatly simplifies confusing political concepts to make information easier to understand. At the end of each article, the AI also conducts quick knowledge checks to ensure the user has understood the information.
In the education module, AI greatly simplifies confusing political concepts to make information easier to understand. At the end of each article, the AI also conducts quick knowledge checks to ensure the user has understood the information.
VOTR keeps users informed through a personalized news feed, curated by AI to focus on issues that directly impact them while effectively screening and removing potential media bias.
VOTR keeps users informed through a personalized news feed, curated by AI to focus on issues that directly impact them while effectively screening and removing potential media bias.
Within each article, VOTR cross-references policies with similar initiatives from users' home countries, making complex political concepts more relatable and understandable. Users can also choose between simplified or detailed explanations based on their level of understanding and time commitment.
Within each article, VOTR cross-references policies with similar initiatives from users' home countries, making complex political concepts more relatable and understandable. Users can also choose between simplified or detailed explanations based on their level of understanding and time commitment.
VOTR shows nearby ballot box locations for user convenience during election season and includes daily engagement features that help the AI develop a better understanding of user interests and concerns. This continuous learning enables for increasingly relevant and personalized content over time.
VOTR shows nearby ballot box locations for user convenience during election season and includes daily engagement features that help the AI develop a better understanding of user interests and concerns. This continuous learning enables for increasingly relevant and personalized content over time.
