Smart Voter Blog

Paying Attention to What Matters

Ernie Ting — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:05:45 +0000

This afternoon I’ll be making a brief presentation at the 40th Anniversary celebration of the Public Management Program at Stanford Business School. One of my central themes is that to make a difference, we have to pay attention to what matters. In the context of voting and democracy, most of our modern media and information technology focuses us on exactly the wrong things — the game of politics and the drama of partisan conflicts.

If you’re interested in participating in a conversation around this critical problem and/or supporting our efforts to change the game, please email me at ernie AT smartvoter.org or sign up for updates on this blog.

We’re Looking for Talented Software Developers

Ernie Ting — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 06:40:15 +0000

We’re looking for talented software developers who are committed to effective democracy and good government to work on our Next Generation of Smart Voter! If you are one — or know one — check out the attached PDF description.. sv2swdeveloperswanted.pdf

Live California Election Results Available on Smart Voter

Ernie Ting — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 06:54:18 +0000

California voters — find the latest election results for Governor, US Senate and the rest of your federal and state offices and propositions on Smart Voter now…

We Want YOU (to vote)! Find Last-Minute Voting Information

Ernie Ting — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 03:44:29 +0000

Don’t let anything stop you from voting tomorrow — our democracy needs YOU! Not sure if your polling place moved? Can’t decide about Governor or Senator? Need to listen to a recorded debate to decide on a proposition? Never heard about the judicial candidates?

For this election an unprecedented 93% of all registered voters in California can obtain comprehensive local as well as federal and state ballot information by going to SmartVoter.org. This includes answers to questions posed to US Senate candidates as well as other federal and state legislators, 2000 individual profiles of candidates, and background on the state props and hundreds of local ballot measures. Thousands of additional candidates are listed for New York, Pennyslvania, and Ohio. Before you drop off your ballot or go to the polls, check SmartVoter.org to view all of that information in one place!

In California, you can also call 1-800-345-VOTE for questions about voting. Contact your county elections office to confirm your voter registration status. Other official voting information is available for New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

An “A” for Effort

Ernie Ting — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:31:48 +0000

Let it never be said that fans of Smart Voter are shy! In a post Smart Voter, Dumb Candidates a few weeks ago in her blog Around Fremont, Clarissa Ryan took some of her local candidates to task for not providing any information to voters through our online service. She offered some pointed theories as to why. I’m not sure of the extent to which any of the particular failings she cites might actually apply to the candidates, but we know that they are missing a golden opportunity to communicate the reasons why voters should select them on Election Day.

We appreciate the time many candidates take to submit information that helps voters make an informed decision. For the November 2nd election, that includes thousands of candidates at the federal, state and local level whose free profiles already appear at SmartVoter.org. It’s also fair to note that sometimes we have difficulty reaching candidates with the contact information that is available to us. If you’re still out there but not on Smart Voter, you can always find us.

Does the Early Vote Get the Worm?

Ernie Ting — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:56:41 +0000

Did you catch the Op-Ed “Voting Early, But Not So Often” by Barry Burden and Kenneth Mayer of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in yesterday’s New York Times? In it they summarize their research finding that the greater availaibliity of early voting (voting by mail or in person before Election Day) reduces overall voter turnout. Of course, as with most things it’s not quite that simple. Check out the article if you’re interested in its possible implications for improving the voting process. What do you think?

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In the meantime, don’t forget the current voting rules in your community:

In California, if you still wish to obtain a Vote-By-Mail ballot for the November 2 election, you must make sure your application is RECEIVED by your county elections office by tomorrow, October 26th. See these instructions for California. In Pennsylvania, registered voters that still wish to obtain an absentee ballot must follow the same timeline. See these instructions for Pennsylvania.

In New York and Ohio you may apply IN PERSON for an absentee ballot as late as November 1st, but must apply earlier if doing so by mail. See the New York instructions and Ohio instructions.

Exceptions to the above rules apply to those living abroad, serving in the military, or in emergency situations. In addition, California and Ohio are among the states with other early voting options in person. Contact your county elections office for details. And of course, go to SmartVoter.org to get all of your ballot information and additional background on candidates or measures.

Welcome to the new Smart Voter home page design

Ernie Ting — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 09:18:00 +0000

The Smart Voter website is poised to sport a new and streamlined look for the November 2^nd election! If you haven’t been to SmartVoter.org lately, check it out when it is officially released at the end of this week. Work has been underway since the spring on beta testing to begin simplifying the website’s traditional home page and make it easier for new visitors to use its unique and powerful resources to become informed about candidates and ballot questions. These changes are just the initial wave in a series of enhancements that are planned to Smart Voter’s design and features. A more extensive redesign of the entire Smart Voter site is coming in 2011.