“Designing Hope: My Journey Redesigning the 2000 Florida Ballot”

In the world of democracy, voting should be clear and simple for everyone, no matter where you are. Today, I’ll be sharing the process of my project attempting to improve an important part of the voting process in the history of design—the 2000 Florida ballot.

The Backstory

Back in 2000, in a significant election, the Florida ballot caused a lot of confusion. It was meant to help people vote, but instead, it made things tricky. The way names were placed, the holes were punched, and the strange numbering—it all led to problems. This confusion affected a crucial election, and now I’m taking a closer look. My goal is to understand what went wrong and try to create a redesign to learn from past mistakes. My journey began with a simple question: How can we bring a sense of hope to the Florida 2000 ballot? Getting deeper into the history of the 2000 election, I uncovered the confusion and controversy surrounding the design. The layout was puzzling, with awkward columns and inconsistent table alignments. As I studied the original ballot and reviewed some solutions that could’ve been taken into consideration, I considered how to make the voting experience more straightforward and easier.

Understanding the Problems with the Original Ballot

To start off, I knew it was necessary for me to just take my time studying the poster and then understand the problems that could’ve caused the confusion. The original 2000 Florida ballot was a source of confusion due to a badly designed layout (the butterfly layout), creating major issues during the critical Bush vs. Gore election. While punch cards were the technology at the time, the actual problem was the way the information was displayed.

Candidate names were placed in awkward columns with unclear spacing. This lack of organization made it challenging for voters to navigate and find their preferred candidates, leading to potential errors in their choices.

The alignment of the punch holes added another layer of complexity to the design. It was inconsistent, causing accidental votes as voters struggled to align their selections with the corresponding candidates. This unintentional confusion resulted in an election process impaired by uncertainty.

Additionally, the numbering system further contributed to the chaos. Starting at 3 and inexplicably skipping 12, the sequence of numbers added an unnecessary layer of confusion to an already problematic design. This flawed arrangement not only defied logical order but also added an extra burden on voters who were already struggling with the unconventional layout.

Hence, these design flaws led to significant voter confusion during an important election, where every vote mattered. Voters accidentally voted for two candidates because of the confusion. This highlighted the critical need for a redesign that would address these specific issues.

The Re-Design Process for the Ballot Unveiled

With clarity in mind, I set out to simplify the ballot. No more confusing butterfly layout. I placed clear instructions on the left and presidential candidate names on the right. The alignment is fixed for a straightforward look. I decided not to use any colors in the design itself to increase readability, making it accessible even for people with colorblindness.  I used all capital letters and Helvetica as my typeface as this is a formal document. I also ditched the confusing numbers. Now, it’s straightforward, easier to understand, and less prone to mistakes, offering a more user-friendly voting experience.

A Hopeful Side-by-Side Comparison Poster

To further emphasize the positive impact of my redesigned ballot, I created a side-by-side comparison poster inspired by the iconic Hope poster. On the left side, I added the original 2000 design, pointing out the mistakes and confusion it caused. On the other side, I added my redesigned ballot, highlighting the improvements and the hope it brings to the voting process. It’s like saying, “Look, here’s what went wrong, and here’s how we can make it right.”

Finding the Right Colors:

As I set out to redesign the ballot, I knew that the right colors could make a huge difference. I explored various color schemes, trying to capture a feeling of positivity and clarity. I wanted colors that not only looked good but also resonated with the emotions I wanted to evoke—a sense of hope and optimism. As I was looking for color schemes, I stumbled upon the “Hope poster.” The colors immediately caught my eye—vibrant red, calming blue, and pure white. These colors weren’t just visually appealing; they had a powerful impact on the mood. Choosing the color scheme from the Hope poster wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about infusing my project with the same magic that made the Hope poster iconic. These colors became the backbone of my design, creating a visual language that spoke of hope, unity, and a fresh start.

Choosing a Typeface:

And then came the font choice—Optima. As I researched fonts, I realized that Optima had also played a role in the Hope poster. Optima wasn’t just a font; it was a bridge that connected my project with the positive vibes of the Hope poster.

The visual and meaningful interaction between the Hope poster and the Optima font as references and inspiration for my poster is genuinely iconic. My poster reflects the potential for my ballot design to represent hope for a nation and how it can be a source of optimism.

Drawing the Main Figure:

When it came to drawing Theresa Lepore, the original designer of the 2000 ballot, I wanted to add a touch of humor. Inspired by the playful nature of the Hope poster, I gave her a lighthearted expression—holding her head as if saying, “Oops, I made a mistake!” I tried copying the exact same style Barack Obama was shown in the hope poster.  Illustrator and Procreate were the go to applications for this part. I used my iPad for the drawing process and it took me approximately 4 hours drawing LePore. The drawing then became the centerpiece of my poster, and the title came right below it. I wanted to include hope in the title itself so i wrote: “2000 FLORIDA BALLOT Redesigned through the Lens of Hope”

The Final Design

Conclusion

In conclusion, this redesign journey for the 2000 Florida ballot has been about making things clearer and better. I really enjoyed every single part of making this poster, from drawing the figure, to working with the grid and layout. As we wrap up, let’s remember that good design can bring optimism and hope back to a nation.

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