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Background:

We want to build software for clerks to digitally receive, store and publicly share candidate forms including nomination papers, petition signatures and campaign finance reports.

Goals:

• Understand how Clerks currently receive candidate forms and information.
• Understand how Clerks currently store candidate forms and information.
• Understand Clerk’s obstacles to digitally receiving candidate forms.
• Learn how to best integrate digital solutions into existing Clerk processes.

Interview Guide

Learning about clerk processes:

• Who currently manages your town website?
• What forms do candidates submit, and in what order, to get on the ballot?
• How do you currently receive candidate forms and information?
• How do you currently store candidate forms and information?
• What are the biggest pain points with these current processes?
• If given the option, do candidates submit forms and information digitally? If they don’t have the option, do you think they would be willing?
• Do you make candidate information publicly accessible for citizens?
• If so, what candidate information do you make publicly accessible for citizens?
• How do you currently verify petition signatures?
• What digital systems/software do you already use for your job?
• How much do you currently pay for those software tools?
• What types of contracts are you in for the software tools you use?
• Does the system or software meet your needs? What do you wish it did?
• Are there other election or non-election tasks you wish had better processes or software?

Presenting Design Mockups for Feedback:

• We’re going to be looking at software tools for candidates to submit forms and clerks to store and search that information in a user-friendly database.
• We’re testing the design, we're not testing you.
• Nothing you say will hurt my feelings.
• I want to know what you really think and if you would actually use this software. We want honest feedback so we can make the designs better.
• I’d like you to think out loud, so I know what you’re thinking.

Functionality Presentation:

• Candidates “take out” nomination papers digitally by filling-out a digital form and submitting it online.
• Clerks receive nomination papers and candidate information digitally. It is automatically securely stored in an user-friendly candidate database.
• Candidates submit petition signatures, signed consent forms digitally.
• Clerks receive petitions and signed consent forms digitally. The forms are automatically stored in the associated candidate file in the database.
• Candidates submit campaign finance forms digitally.
• Clerks receive campaign finance forms digitally and forms are automatically stored in the associated candidate file in the database.

Functionality Questions:

• Would any of these software tools be particularly helpful or unhelpful when receiving and storing candidate forms, information?
• Overall, how useful would you find these software tools?
• Would you pilot test any of these tools for your next election cycle?
• Is there anything missing?
• Is there anything you would remove?

Close and Follow-up Questions:

• Are you interested in piloting any of these tools free of charge?
• Is there anyone else you recommend we speak with to get more insight?
• Thank you for your time. Your insights have been helpful to us in understanding how we might improve our tools. If there is additional information that comes to mind that you think might be helpful please feel free to reach out to myself via email.