Polling place signage toolkit

Clear, consistent signage plays an essential role in guiding voters through the voting process. Whether someone is voting for the first time or just unfamiliar with a new location, good signs help them find the right room, follow the correct steps, and cast their ballot with ease.

This toolkit provides research-backed guidelines and ready-to-use templates to help election offices create effective, bilingual signage.

Our research has shown that effective signage helps:

  • Voters feel welcome and know what to do
  • Poll workers answer fewer repetitive questions
  • Election offices reduce confusion and improve flow

What’s in this toolkit:

Section 1. Best practices
Section 2. Downloadable templates

Section 1

Best practices

Polling place signage toolkit

A well-designed polling place should guide voters from the moment they arrive until they cast their ballot. But in a busy, unfamiliar environment, unclear or inconsistent signage can lead to confusion—for both voters and poll workers.

Good signage answers common questions, helps voters navigate the process, and reduces the need for staff to give verbal instructions. This nonpartisan toolkit includes:

  • A framework for planning signage throughout the polling place
  • Design tips for clarity, consistency, and accessibility
  • Templates that can be used as-is or customized with your office’s branding
Download toolkit

Section 2

Signage templates

These bilingual signs can be customized or used as-is in your polling places. Pick the template that fits the needs of each decision point. Consider the amount of information, distance, and size of each sign.

Signage template – Vertical letter

This format is best for:

  • Desktop printing of combined directional and informational signs.

This layout is best for:

  • Standard printer paper. They can also be printed larger for other signs with similar proportions.
  • These templates are 8.5×11 inches.
Download template (.pptx)

Signage template – Vertical larger

This format is best for:

  • Large format printing of combined directional and informational signs.

This layout is best for:

  • Common poster sizes and other standard signs like A-frames
  • These templates are 8×12 inches. They are designed to be printed at 12×18 or 24x36in. They can also be adapted for 11×14 and 11x17in.
Download template (.pptx)

Signage template – Horizonatal letter

This format is best for:

  • Signs with only one function: directional or informational.

This layout is best for:

  • Yard signs or larger signs
  • These templates are 11×8.5 inches.
Download template (.pptx)