The US 2016 Elections are just around the corner and Google wants to make things simpler for users to learn how to vote. The search giant will provide voters with information related to the voting deadlines, polling stations, ID requirements, and other information. Voters will be given in-depth information about most of their Election-related search queries.
Voter ID and deadlines vary from state to state and thus it is difficult for voters to get the right information. For that, Google will add a new toolbar for its users who want to know “how to vote.” The main purpose for this, according to Project Lead Emily Moxley is to make registration and voting process simpler and easier.
Google collaborated with Perkins Coie to get all the relevant information for its search tool. Users can sort the search results according to their state, deadlines, early voting, and mail-in-ballots. The tech giant has also made a portal that gives details of Voter Registration process and voting requirement. This portal can help organizations to keep all the information up to date. However, they need to sign up first to access.
The browser would automatically detect the state of each user via GPS. If needed, the location can be changed from the drop down menu. The new toolbar, available in the US only, has different tabs that include How to register, How to Vote, Requirements, and When to vote. Users will see voting times and polling hours on the Election Day.
Google has set guidelines for people who can vote by mail. These voters include absentees, disabled persons, and convicts. Voters who are absent can download the absentee ballot application and submit it before November 1, 2016. They will then receive a ballot, which they should fill out and send before November 7. There is no ID requirement for absentees.
This year, Election-related searches on Google have increased by 190% as compared to 2012. According to the company, only 126 million voted while 93 million did not cast their vote in the last elections. Thus, it wants to bring more and more people to vote by making the process simpler.
Last month, Google introduced its voter registration guide through which voters can get all the information, when they search for “register to vote.” The search enabled millions of people to look for the registration process that encouraged the search engine to work on the voting department as well boosted their interest towards elections. Now that people would have information regarding voting as well, and they don’t have to browse anywhere else.