App Hopes To Help Voters Make Downballot Decisions

election illinois
People line up to vote at a precinct in March 2016 in Bradfordton, Illinois. Associated Press
election illinois
People line up to vote at a precinct in March 2016 in Bradfordton, Illinois. Associated Press

App Hopes To Help Voters Make Downballot Decisions

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The new BallotReady app gives users information about elections, from presidential candidates all the way down to school board races.

CEO Alex Niemczewski said she decided to build the app after the 2012 midterm elections.

“When I saw my ballot, there were all these offices I hadn’t really heard of and names I had never seen before, and I kind of left feeling guilty, like I hadn’t used my vote to its full potential,” Niemczewski said.

She said BallotReady research shows many voters feel uninformed about downballot races and local proposals.

The app allows voters to “pull out their phone in the voting booth and do all the research there,” Niemczewski said.

The app will be available for download in ten states, including Illinois, by Monday.