Center for Civic Design

3. How are ballots sent to voters? Do you put the ballot packages together in your office, or do you have printing and mailing vendor partners who can help you manage the new volume and make sure the post office can deliver all those ballots?

4a. How are ballots returned? In all-mail states, over 70% of voters drop off their ballots rather than mail them. Without neighborhood polling places, can you set up drop boxes or other places for voters to return their ballots safely?

4b. What is the deadline for voters to return their ballots? Received by the end of Election Day? Or postmarked by Election Day. Either way, make sure it's widely and clearly publicized.

5. What are the options for in-person voting? Even in all-mail elections some people need to vote in person. How will you help voters who need alternative language, voters with disabilities and others who need support? Will you offer accessible ballot marking?

6. When are ballots opened? Will you be able to process ballots as soon as they are returned? Or at least a few days before Election Day? This is not only a head start on being ready to count. It also allows more time for voters to fix a missing signature or other problems.

7. How do voters know they voted? At a polling place, voters can see their ballots get cast. For vote by mail, a good tracking system lets voters know when their ballot is mailed, when it’s received, and when it’s actually counted.