The Polling Place Photo Project is a nationwide experiment in citizen journalism that seeks to empower citizens to capture, post and share photographs of democracy in action. By documenting their local voting experience on November 7, voters can contribute to an archive of photographs that captures the richness and complexity of voting in America.
With citizens' images and the information that accompanies them, the Project becomes a research tool on how voting happens in America and how it can be designed to be easier, less confusing and more enjoyable. The project intends to collect photographs of every polling place in America, so you are encouraged to participate no matter where you vote, how large or small your polling place is, what kind of ballot you use, or what your party affiliation.
Get your cameras ready. Election Day is November 7, 2006. We need your photographs!
In the spirit of public access and broad dissemination, this is an open-source project. Photography of polling places is governed by state and local law—there is no one answer for what is permissible. The Polling Place Photo Project and AIGA encourage all participants in this project to follow all applicable local, state and federal laws. Read more in the Fine Print.
The Polling Place Photo Project is part of Design for Democracy, an initiative of AIGA, the professional association for design. William Drenttel of Design Observer initiated the project, working in collaboration with Jay Rosen, founder of NewAssignment.Net (a project of New York University's Department of Journalism).