Super Tuesday Observations

92nd Street Y in the Upper East Side

• Attempts made to control crowd, but space too small for the necessary number of voting booths
• Difficult to discern which table associated with which district
• Coordinator mentioned that the most frequently asked question was about Pre-Registration and why Independents can’t vote
• Coordinator mentioned that election workers always wanted to do things their own way no matter their training
• Information sign on table was unsuccessful in indicating that this was a required stop to make before entering the room.

PS 131 in the Lower East Side

• Spacious lobby space of school, but very dark and lacking in energy
• Although Information table right at entrance it still required workers to reach out to voters for them to know to stop there
• Policeman said that he had seen numerous voters simply walk into a booth and without speaking to any officials
• Difficulty in finding enough Chinese-speaking translators or workers for this predominately Chinese population

Lesbian and Gay Center at W13th and 7th Ave

• Small space, but tables arranged to reduce confusion about table/booth coordination
• Hand-made information signs in red marker to supplement printed ones and drew much more attention to table
• Although voters successfully stopped at the Information table in this instance, they still were not prepared to offer their address, but often were trying to get out their ID’s
• Workers more proactive about offering directions on process

Opportunities to Improve Process:

• Redesign “Election Information” sign to indicate that voters MUST check in at this table
• Provide explanation of Pre-Registration (voters must fill in absentee ballot if not pre-registered) and why Independents cannot vote in Primaries so that workers do not have to re-answer same questions
• Utilize colors to help distinguish differences in district booths and tables.