Why this article is helpful

• Detailed review of Connecticut municipal elections web sites against guidelines for usability in the Field Guides for Ensuring Voter Intent.

• Supports a strong need for accurate and up-to-date voting information on local government websites.

• Provides a link to a sample site which highlights the information most commonly sought out by voters

• Lists recommendations for Registrars of Voters and the Secretary of State

The Connecticut Citizen Election Audit conducted an extensive website review of all 169 municipalities’ election web sites. The study not only sought to identify areas of needed improvement, but also provided recommendations for enhancing the municipal sites.

When preparing to vote, people often turn to local government sites instead of state websites for information. Ensuring the quality and accuracy of these local government sites is of critical importance as websites that are difficult to use or lack sufficient information can potentially affect voter turnout.

• While 90% of the sites had a link to a voting information on the home page, many of the sites did not include voter registration or Election Day information under their “How do I?” or services section.

• A large number of sites failed to include essential information such as what was on the ballot, the date of the election, how to apply for an absentee ballot, or where to go to vote.

• Even fewer municipalities included any information regarding voter ID requirements, post-election results, or information for overseas and military voters.