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About Library Press Release Easy Voter Guide Project unveils expanded resources for new and busy voters Easy Voter Guide Project unveils expanded resources for new and busy voters
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 28, 2006 |
CONTACT: | Sarah Dalton California State Library 916/654-1483 |
Easy Voter Guide Project unveils expanded resources for new and busy voters
SACRAMENTO -To help as many Californians as possible, the www.easyvoter.org website has been redesigned and expanded to make it even easier for citizens to prepare for the November 7, 2006 election. “Many Californians are turned off by the long ballots and incessant partisan advertising. Our goal is to help people cut through the clutter to find and understand the issues they care about in this election,” explains State Librarian Susan Hildreth, a lead sponsor of the project.
The www.easyvoter.org has several unique features:
- The popular Easy Voter Guide with clear “layperson” language about the statewide candidates and propositions – available online in html, as a printable PDF in seven languages, and a large print edition; the site’s search function shows where the printed guides are being distributed across California
- Extensive links to additional resources for each proposition plus background on key issues in the election
- In-language web pages and materials to download in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean, including step-by-step photos for new voters
- A highly visual “All About Voting” section that addresses the most common frequently asked questions misconceptions about the voting process
- A comprehensive resource section for groups engaged in voter education and outreach – with handouts, workbooks, workshops and links to related resources
The site provides a ballot and polling place look-up and is also accessible to visually impaired users. An important feature of the Easy Voter Guide Project is its user-based design process. “This site is based on over ten years of ongoing work with new voters, busy voters, nonvoters, elections officials and a wide range of community organizations to ensure that the website is user-friendly and serves the needs of as many Californians as possible,” explains Susan Clark, founder and editor of the Easy Voter Guide and www.easyvoter.org.
The Easy Voter Guide Project is partnering with over 1,500 organizations across the state to distribute free printed copies of the 16-page Easy Voter Guide booklet in five languages. In addition to libraries, these organizations include county elections offices, schools, community colleges, churches and a wide range of community groups serving new citizens, disabled Californians and others. Free copies of the guide can still be ordered at www.easyvoter.org.
The California State Library is the original sponsor of the Easy Voter Guide Project and www.easyvoter.org website. Other partners include the California Secretary of State’s Office and the League of Women Voters Education Fund with support from The James Irvine Foundation. Project content is designed by Common Knowledge (www.ckgroup.org) and the www.easyvoter.org web site is maintained by Altrue.