VoteRiders by Synoptic Office

Design consultancy Synoptic Office today announces the launch of a new website for VoteRiders, the nation’s leading nonpartisan nonprofit focused exclusively on eliminating voter ID barriers.

Launching ahead of the fall voting season, the new platform transforms one of the most complex and confusing aspects of civic participation – voter ID laws – into a clear, accessible and action-driven digital experience.

At its core, the project embodies the simple yet essential idea that creativity can spark action. VoteRiders’ mission is to eliminate ID barriers to the ballot box so every eligible voter can cast a ballot that counts.

The organization envisions a thriving American democracy with an empowered, civically engaged, diverse and representative electorate, and a future in which ID requirements do not prevent eligible Americans from having their voices heard.

A design system built for democracy

Inspired by the bold visual language of 1960s and 70s public service announcements, the new VoteRiders site – with brand identity by Morgan Searcy – uses high-contrast color, confident typography and clear structural hierarchy to bring clarity to a fragmented legal landscape.

As ID laws continue to change across the country, with 38 states currently enforcing voter ID requirements and others considering additional restrictions, voters need clear, trusted information more than ever.

Each U.S. state has different voter ID requirements. For millions of eligible voters, navigating the patchwork of requirements to obtain a valid ID before heading to the polls can be overwhelming. The process involves planning ahead, time commitments, and financial costs that can burden disadvantaged communities.

VoteRiders not only provides trusted information, but pays for underlying documents, offers transportation to ID appointments, and delivers direct assistance.

The design challenge was structural at its heart. “Most people think you register to vote and that’s it,” says Caspar Lam, Partner and Co-Founder at Synoptic Office. “But having the ID you need to vote is a step that many people don’t fully understand and often miss. The complexity of the issue is matched by the complexity of the content. Our role was to take that complexity and organize it into something clear, navigable and empowering.”

“The site is built to meet people where they are: those navigating busy lives and constantly shifting voting rules, or those lacking the resources and information to participate in our democracy,” says Kiayna O’Neal, Digital & Communications Director at VoteRiders. “Every element is designed to inspire action, from securing an ID to vote, to mobilizing communities around the harms of ID laws, to giving people and partners the tools to help protect the freedom to vote.”

Three audiences, one unified vision

The new site is a digital bridge, seamlessly connecting three distinct audiences with a shared purpose to empower democracy.

For individuals facing barriers to obtaining voter ID, the platform offers a lifeline – clear, actionable guidance tailored to their unique needs. Supporters and partner organizations find a dynamic hub of resources, equipping them to amplify their impact and expand access to the ballot box. Meanwhile, policy experts, researchers and journalists gain a trusted source of up-to-date analysis, illuminating the evolving landscape of voter ID laws.

The navigation has been structured to surface evergreen essentials first, while connecting every piece of information to a clear call-to-action. Stories that were once purely informational now lead directly to tangible next steps, from getting free assistance to supporting advocacy efforts.

“This project was about designing an ecosystem of action,” says YuJune Park, Partner and Co-Founder at Synoptic Office. “Every page pairs clarity with a pathway, so information never stands alone. It always connects to what someone can do next.”

Eliminating ID barriers: A design for empowerment

For the new VoteRiders site, Synoptic Office reimagined how voters can navigate the often-overwhelming landscape of ID laws.

With bold, accessible design, the platform transforms complex legal jargon into a clear and empowering civic experience. Each state page is a gateway, offering tailored guidance for diverse voting groups alongside easy-to-follow checklists and pathways to guide voters from obtaining their IDs to registering and voting.

A dedicated partner hub serves as a collaborative space, brimming with resources and tools to expand voting access in collaboration with local communities.

Volunteers and supporters are guided through intuitive pathways, enabling them to educate and assist voters nationwide. The site’s contemporary design reflects VoteRiders’ unwavering commitment to inclusivity, equity and empowerment, creating seamless journeys from confusion to clarity.

Citizen engagement through digital design

The relaunch comes at a moment when voting rights remain under pressure and voter ID requirements continue to evolve in multiple states. VoteRiders has expanded its research and advocacy work in recent years, and the new site creates space to highlight state-specific research, including in Texas — one of the states with the strictest voter ID laws in the country.

For VoteRiders, design clarity directly supports democratic participation.

“One of the biggest voter suppression tactics is confusion,” adds O’Neal. “When laws are messy and intentionally complicated, people disengage. They choose to stay home rather than wade through the confusion to cast a ballot. The new site cuts through the noise and supports our efforts to combat the confusion and misinformation that eligible voters encounter. It’s clear, it’s accessible, and it makes it easier for people to get free direct support. Creativity goes beyond aesthetics here, it’s a tool for civic action and engagement.”

Beyond digital access, VoteRiders continues to distribute printed flyers, information cards for each of the 50 states, and even things like bus ads to reach individuals without reliable internet access, ensuring the design system extends beyond the screen.

Making participation easier

For Synoptic Office, the project represents the power of design to shape civic infrastructure.

“We’re most proud that this work makes it easier to participate in democracy,” adds Lam. “When design is organized, optimistic and actionable, it reduces friction, and reducing friction increases participation.”

By merging bold visual language with a rigorous information architecture, the new VoteRiders platform demonstrates how creative practice can directly impact democratic participation.