EXPAT PARTY PRIMARY ONLINE

Expatriate Democratic party members will be able to cast votes in an online presidential primary targeted for people living outside the US, according to the Great Lakes IT Report for Jan. 22. The online tech newsletter reports that their global presidential preference primary will be conducted from Feb 5 - 12 by Internet polling as well as fax, email and in-person voting. While this primary is a party-run activity, the organizers hope to ease some of the difficulties associated with foreign mail exchange and overseas voting complications that are seen in US elections as well.

PROPOSED FED PLAIN LANGUAGE RULES COULD HELP ELECTIONS, TOO

An important part of ballot usability relates to the use of language: on the ballot, in the polling materials and instructions for both voters and precinct workers. A bill before US Congress can have an impact: The Plain Language Bills, S2291 and HR 3548, require that US government communications - including "letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction" -- likely including balloting materials -- be presented in clear, easy-to-understand language.

The Usability Professionals' Association has submitted a letter endorsing this initiative. You can let your US Congress member and Senator know that you support the Plain Language bill as well. Visit http://www.senate.gov and http://www.congress.org.

The UPA Letter of Support: http://www.usabilityprofessionals.org/about_upa/
for_the_press/press_releases/press.080128.html

More information about Plain Language and government: http://www.usabilityprofessionals.org/civiclife/access/
plain_language.html
http://www.plainlanguage.gov