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States United Democracy Center

Safety at the Polls

Microsites
Infographics & charts
Data stories
Reports
Social justice
Government

Date

May 2025

Timeline

20 weeks

Project team

Headshot of Michael HesterHeadshot of Sam VickarsHeadshot of Aria Todd

Industry

Social justice, Government

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Introduction

States United aimed to document how fears of election violence shaped women and gender-nonconforming voters’ experiences in 2024.

We transformed their research into an accessible, trustworthy narrative across multiple formats. The project delivered a brand-aligned report identity, an in-depth PDF report for policy audiences, and an interactive microsite highlighting key findings. We prioritized clarity and empathy throughout, creating a cohesive ecosystem that helps officials and advocates communicate voting safety while acknowledging persistent challenges.

Screenshots of various designed elements for the Safety at the Ballot project including text-based wireframes, color palettes, and logo explorations.

Research & data

Our report brings together diverse data from focus groups, voter surveys, interviews with election officials and law enforcement, and verified turnout data.

We worked with researchers to define harassment and violence categories and create standardized visualization templates. Our custom Airtable system ensures all charts draw from a single data source, making future updates straightforward. We carefully tested claims against demographic subgroups to present clear insights without oversimplification. Methodology notes and chart annotations maintain full transparency throughout.

A grid of pages from the PDF we created for the Safety at the Ballot project

Vision

Our design establishes authority through clean typography, accessible color palettes, and safety-focused imagery that avoids fear-mongering.

The site features a landing page plus four chapter pages (Concerns & Turnout, Marginalized Experiences, Partisan Perceptions, and Safety Measures) that let visitors investigate what matters to them. Interactive charts offer demographic filters while staying mobile-friendly. We created a 25-page PDF report with static versions of each chart, along with 15 social assets including animated GIFs to highlight key findings. The design balances empathy with evidence, positioning States United as a bridge-builder across political divides.

A series of animated GIFs highlighting the interactivity of a series of charts made for the Safety at the Ballot project.

Result

Our work reframed a contentious topic with data and solutions.

Most voters reported feeling safe, yet women and gender‑nonconforming voters bore heavier emotional burdens and were more likely to adjust plans—insights made clear in our visuals. A modeled estimate suggests safety concerns may have suppressed as many as 5.5 million votes nationally; the site contextualizes that figure alongside very low incident rates to avoid alarmism. Voters strongly endorse practical measures like shorter lines and security cameras, and the site equips administrators to communicate what's already in place and where to improve.

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