Gamified Governance

Greetings, fellow citizens. If you have been following my journey, then you know I am passionate about voting and how we interact with our government online. If not, allow me to introduce you to the topic as I see it. For over fifteen years, I have explored the concept of gamification and its potential applications for enhancing civic engagement. In fact, I've been somewhat obsessed with the concept, and I truly believe it holds a key to solving some of the big democratic challenges we're facing today, particularly in the context of voter participation.

The concepts of gaming and voting don’t quite fit together naturally. But as a UX designer, I've seen firsthand the power of well-designed interfaces and engaging experiences. I've always viewed voting as an integral part of being an American, but the process is onerous and costly for many voters. The thought of making it fun, rewarding, and genuinely exciting is something I have been exploring for years. When I think of how many of our government processes – like filing for unemployment or renewing your ID – have already gone digital, I have to wonder: why not voting?

This concept is deeply connected to real issues I've seen with voter engagement. Did you know the U.S. has one of the lowest voter turnout rates compared to other democracies around the world? We’ve seen how rage against the political process can lead to civil unrest and even riots, which is something we have all witnessed far too much over the past few years.

What is rarely discussed in political circles are the hidden costs of voting. For many families, taking time off work or finding childcare simply to cast a ballot is a cost barrier that is difficult to justify. It's not just about apathy; there are real, systemic hurdles in place that must be addressed. And that's exactly what my approach aims to tackle.

I began publishing in earnest on this topic in March of this year. A lot has happened since then. I was interviewed by two different news sources, and the international newswires have recently picked up my story. Just last week, the U.S. government announced the America by Design Initiative, which aims to modernize and streamline many of the online governmental processes we encounter on a regular basis. With all of this talk about changing government through design, the real-world examples of successful applications are rare. Let's change that. At Elephant & Falcon, we are designing a mobile web application that aims to make voting, and other civic interactions, less frustrating and more engaging. Ultimately, I'm inspired by how gamification can genuinely help – making problem-solving better, making new concepts easier to learn, and making interactions more fun.

What I need is your feedback. I am conducting a series of in-depth interviews with individuals in the political sphere. If you are an activist, candidate, registered voter, or even an active politician, I need to hear your point-of-view. If you are passionate about voter enfranchisement through UX, please contact me. Game developers, with their expertise in creating engaging experiences, are particularly positioned to tackle this challenge and make a real difference in our democracy. What do you think? Are you ready to restore belief in our American democracy by making voting an adventure instead of a chore? Join me in the quest for a better way to interact with the government. 

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To be a usability tester or interviewee, contact me for more information.

NAME: Jani M. Anderson
CONTACT: info@elephantfalcon.com