Chicago—The New York State Senate website took home the 2016 Online Democracy Award for having a superior legislative website this week during the National Conference of State Legislatures’ (NCSL) 2016 Legislative Summit in Chicago.
NCSL's Online Democracy Award is presented annually to a legislature, legislative chamber or caucus whose website makes democracy user-friendly in an outstanding way. The winning website is chosen by a committee of legislative staffers who evaluate each site’s design, content and technological integration.
Judges praised the website for how it encourages public interaction. They considered the site’s bill comment feature as a plus, along with features that allow for easy sharing of bills on social media. The judges also applauded its user-friendly design, attractive and easy-to-understand graphics, and prominent calendar highlighting statewide activities. The Online Democracy Award is sponsored by two of NCSL's legislative staff organizations: the National Association of Legislative Information Technology (NALIT) and theLegislative Information and Communications Staff (LINCS).
Previous winners of the NCSL Online Democracy Award include the Tennessee Legislature (2015), Utah Legislature (2014), Massachusetts General Court (2013), Hawaii Legislature (2012), Florida Senate (2011), Washington Legislature (2010), Tennessee General Assembly (2009), Texas Legislature (2008), New Jersey Legislature (2007), Minnesota Legislature (2006) and the Utah Legislature (2005).
NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.