Every Voice Counts: Design and Test a Fair Ballot

A fair choice needs more than a list of options—it needs a ballot that every voter can understand and use. Design a fictional, low-stakes ballot, test it with five imaginary voter profiles, and improve it using the evidence you discover. 🌟 COMPETITION OVERVIEW This civics and accessible-design challenge asks you to create, test, and revise a ballot for a harmless fictional decision. You will explore how neutral wording, clear instructions, privacy, and accessibility can help people participate fairly. 🎯 THE MISSION • Choose a fictional topic such as a reading-corner theme, community-garden symbol, class mascot, or celebration activity. • Create a first ballot with three or four neutral options, clear instructions, and one simple way to mark a choice. • Invent exactly five voter cards describing different needs or situations. • Test the first ballot against all five cards, identify at least two points of confusion or unfairness, and revise the design. • Present the first ballot, test findings, revisions, and final ballot in one compact design report. 🔍 WHAT TO INCLUDE • A first-version ballot with three or four clearly presented options. • Exactly five fictional voter cards, including at least two different access or usability needs, such as an early reader, a voter who cannot rely on colour, or someone who changes a mark. • A brief record of what each fictional test revealed. • At least two specific design changes linked to the test evidence. • A final ballot that improves clarity, neutrality, accessibility, and ease of use. • Early learners may use drawings, symbols, and adult-written labels; older students should also consider secrecy, invalid marks, neutral ordering, and accessibility. 📋 RULES • Use only a fictional, low-stakes topic. • Do not use real candidates, political parties, elections, current political issues, classmates’ names, personal information, or real votes. • Instructions and option order must not favour one choice. • Use original wording and symbols or properly credited reusable visuals. • Keep the complete entry to no more than three pages. • Combine everything into exactly one file. • The work must be safe, respectful, and suitable for a school audience. 📤 SUBMISSION • Upload exactly one PDF or DOCX file. • The single file must contain the first ballot, five fictional voter cards, test findings, revisions, and final ballot. • No paid software, specialized tools, or physical equipment is required. 🏆 JUDGING CRITERIA • Fairness and neutrality of the final ballot: 30% • Accessibility and usability: 25% • Quality of fictional testing and evidence-based revision: 25% • Clarity and practical design: 10% • Originality and rule-following: 10% 🎁 WHY PARTICIPATE? Ballots are information tools as well as civic tools. By testing a design from several fictional perspectives, you will practise empathy, responsible decision-making, clear communication, and evidence-based improvement.