How Human Factors Can Help Preserve Democracy in the Age of Pandemics

Abstract

Objective To describe user-centered voting systems that would support the safe conduct of voting in a pandemic environment. Background The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated our democratic processes. Voters and poll workers feel threatened by the potential dangers of voting in business-as-usual polling stations. Indeed, significant problems were encountered in the recent 2020 primary elections in Wisconsin, where the National Guard had to be mobilized because so few poll workers reported to work, and more than 90% of polling places had to remain closed. Method We describe a number of possible user-centered solutions that would help protect voters and poll workers in times of pandemic, and also report the results of a survey that asked voters and poll workers about what kinds of systems might make them willing to vote. Results Political as well as safety considerations will need to be considered as these safer voting solutions are designed since, surprisingly, the kinds of solutions preferred depend on the political affiliation of the voters. Conclusion Human factors professionals have a large role to play in realizing the safe, successful implementation of these user-centered systems. Good human factors analysis can help minimize the risk to voters and poll workers. Moreover, human factors methods can help safeguard democracy by creating safe and well-engineered environments that are conducive to voting in the age of pandemics. Application Creating safe and effective voting solutions that protect voters and poll workers during pandemic outbreaks is crucial to the preservation of democracy.

COVID-19 and erosion of democracy

“…The public policies made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have complicated social life and democratic processes ( Kortum et al., 2020 ). In fact, these political actions are considered a serious threat to democracy, as governments may try to limit democratic rules under the cover of pandemic management.…”

Non-differential risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for members of polling stations on Catalan parliament voting day

“…Our data suggest that members of polling stations were not at increased risk of infection. This finding is important for future decisions of holding elections elsewhere, as in some other places a percentage of polling stations were closed due to lack of available poll members as they feared to be infected by SARS-CoV-2 [7].…”

Proper Protective (Voting) Equipment: How Covid-19 Safety Measures Shaped In-Person Voting Experiences During the 2020 Election

“…In the lead up to the 2020 election, many Americans were fearful of the coronavirus, with over 70% concerned they or their family would contract Covid (Kamisar & Holzberg, 2020). At the same time, they supported Covid safety measures in and outside of the voting booth (Douglas & Zilis, 2020; Funk & Tyson, 2021; Kortum et al, 2020; Kousser et al, 2021), believed they were effective (Pew, 2020a), and reported they would feel safer voting in-person if their local polling place was properly outfitted to protect voters from Covid-19 (Kousser et al, 2021). Given these patterns in public support for and trust in Covid safety measures, this study expects that in-person voters who cast their ballot in polling places with Covid safety features will be more confident they are safe from the Covid pandemic.…”