Street Plans is pleased to announce the Streets for Voting Guide – Version 1.0 is now available for free download. This resource was developed in partnership with the Center for Tech and Civic Life and with funding from the Futures Action Network. The National Association of Transportation Officials (NACTO) also provided review and content support.
The Guide is directed towards election officials, transportation professionals, and voting rights advocates who want to achieve as fair and inclusive an election as possible in 2020 and beyond. While millions of Americans will vote by mail or via other methods this year, many millions more will vote in person. At a time when 78% of US States require physical distancing or have indoor capacity restrictions, the spatial impacts may be acute, forcing voters into outdoor queues for extended periods of time in climates that are hot, cold, wet, and dry. How election officials and cities accommodate this reality will result in people voting with dignity or not. Thus, the Streets for Voting Guide offers a number of spatial strategies, as well as low-cost, off-the-shelf materials that communities can use in rural, suburban, and urban environments to transform streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and other public spaces for voting activities.
Thanks to our generous funders, Street Plans is now offering free technical assistance to communities who are contemplating or already hosting some or all election activities outdoors this year. If interested, please fill out this brief survey and we will be in contact with you!
