In Philadelphia, design is instead being used to inform the voting population of polling station locations in an effort to reduce the reported inconvenience of the voting exercise. Given that most stations are hidden inside municipal buildings with no clear indication on the exterior, it is unsurprising that 7% of millenials don’t vote for their mayors because they are unable to locate polling stations[2].
Next Stop: Democracy!, a public art project that aims to increase civic engagement and voter satisfaction in Philadelphia elections, uses bright and bold wayfinding signs to call attention and direct voters toward polling stations. Each standard-sized sign is bilingual to appeal to the full spectrum of voters in the city and placed outside buildings and on large, open sidewalks with clear lines of sight. While one side of the sign reads in English, “VOTE HERE”, the other reads in Spanish, “VOTE AQUI”. In a survey of 2,600 voters at 20 voting locations with creative signs and at 20 voting control locations without the voting signs, the voting signs had increased overall voter turnout from 2011 to 2015 to 44% at all locations, whether signs were available or not and about 10% of voters at locations with the signs said it helped them find their polling place or reminded them to vote. This is a strong indication that the wayfinding signs are meeting its goals of lowering barriers to voting and at least nudging voters to polling stations to exercise their voting rights[3].
Over 60 local artists were engaged to create these unique signs that has also reportedly brought a sense of vibrancy back into the city’s public spaces leading up to election day last November. In doing so, the simple signs not only enticed eligible voters to exercise their civil rights but also to participate in public life.
The creative works that also serve as a citywide art exhibition have the potential to significantly improve social interactions by being points of visual art discussions[4]. Public art, in particular, has long been acknowledged as one of many focal features of the physical environment that has been associated with influencing social interaction both during the creation process and following installation in public spaces[5]. In Philadelphia, the local artists who participated in the project reported feeling a greater sense of connection to their communities and were more likely to discuss the upcoming election with others given their experience[6].
Public art and signage, wayfinding or historical, are two very simple design strategies that can greatly impact civic engagement in our communities by conveying civic information to increase participation in public life, encourage civic trust and appreciation, and inform local voting. As cities around the country and the world grapple with low voter turnouts, uninformed citizens, and increasing distrust amongst neighbors, it is vital that leaders, designers, and citizens recognize the importance of evidence-based design in supporting civic life.
[1] Saltmarsh, J. (2005). The Civic Promise of Service Learning. Liberal Education, [online] 91(2). Available at: https://www.aacu.org/publications-research/periodicals/civic-promise-service-learning [Accessed 19 Jul. 2016].
[2] http://www.knightfoundation.org/publications/why-millennials-dont-vote-mayor
[3] https://www.philaculture.org/groundswell/how-did-next-stop-democracy-do
[4] Social interaction associated with visual art discussions: A controlled intervention study
B.-M. Wikström Aging & Mental Health Vol. 6, Iss. 1, 2002
[5] Francis, J., Giles-Corti, B., Wood, L. and Knuiman, M., 2012. Creating sense of community: The role of public space. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 32(4), pp.401-409.
[6] https://www.philaculture.org/groundswell/how-did-next-stop-democracy-do
