America feels more divided than ever. Headlines scream about political battles. Furthermore, social media is a battlefield of its own. Conversations about elections often end in frustration, rather than understanding. Despite all that, can we find common ground? In today’s polarized world, that question feels more urgent than ever.
But what if there were a way to experience elections without the divisiveness? What if there was a way to step outside the echo chambers, to see elections not as a battle of red versus blue, but as a strategic, dynamic process that shapes our country’s future? What if we could step back, see the bigger picture, and actually enjoy learning about our electoral process?
As the matter of fact, that’s what Election Lab is all about. That’s what Election Lab does. It brings people together—not to debate, but to play. And in playing, we learn.
A Game That Bridges Divides
This Election Lab game isn’t about debating policies or arguing over party lines. On the contrary: it is about understanding the mechanics of the electoral college, the strategy behind winning, and the real-world factors that shape US Presidential election outcomes. Instead of fueling partisan divides, it offers a space where players can focus on strategy, probability, and electoral math. The result? A shift in perspective.
When people play Election Lab, something incredible happens. They stop seeing red and blue. They stop focusing on who they think should win. Instead, they focus on how elections are won.
Through board games and web-based multiplayer play, Election Lab gives players hands-on experience with the Electoral College. Indeed: this is not just theory. On the contrary: it is action. While playing, players test different strategies, analyze historical election data, and explore the impact of key swing states. And in the process, they start to see elections through a new lens.
Instead of saying, “I can’t believe they lost,” they say, “Oh, that’s how they won.” That shift—from emotional reaction to analytical understanding—is where real learning happens.
Election Lab: Reducing Partisan Fever Through Play
Most civics education programs encourage students to argue from evidence. While valuable, this approach often reinforces existing beliefs. Players pick the facts that support their side, debate from their own perspective, and leave without truly understanding the other side’s reasoning.
Election Lab takes a different approach. It doesn’t ask players to defend a position. It invites them to experience elections as a game of numbers, patterns, and probabilities. And when you’re immersed in strategy, you stop seeing the “other side” as opponents. You just see the game.
Why It Works
In Election Lab, players explore real election data, simulate campaign strategies, and discover firsthand how different factors influence electoral outcomes. The game is designed to make learning intuitive. The onramp is quick, the mechanics are engaging, and the lessons stick.
More importantly, Election Lab fosters connection. Election Lab is a space where people with different views can interact without the usual tensions. It is not about proving a point. It is about playing, thinking, and learning—together.
It’s a shift in thinking, a step away from frustration and toward understanding. That’s why teachers, students, and organizations across the country should be using Election Lab—to make civic learning engaging, interactive, and, most importantly, nonpartisan.
Polarization doesn’t have to be the norm. There’s another way to engage with our democracy. A way that lowers the temperature, encourages curiosity, and brings people together.
Join Us for Election Lab Online
Join us for our Election Lab Online events. This March, we’re hosting two special Election Lab Online events on March 19 and 26. It’s an opportunity to experience firsthand how this game transforms the way we think about elections.
If you’ve ever felt election anxiety, wondered how the electoral process really works, or just looking for a fresh way to engage with civics, we invite you to join us. Let’s play, learn, and maybe even find a little common ground along the way.
Let’s make learning about elections something we can all do together.
And, if you’d like to try in in your Institution or classrooms – do not hesitate to contact us.
Dr. Jasminka Vukanovic-Criley MD, FACP, FHM is a multiple award-winning physician, internist, hospitalist, healthcare & education innovator & Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA. She is a career mentor & advisor to numerous undergraduate, graduate & postgraduate students & faculty. As a researcher, Dr. Criley received awards from the National Institutes of Health & the U.S. Department of Education Her work focuses on creating research-driven #edtech games & digital media to improve health, civics, science education & promote healthy habits. Dr Criley is also a sought-after speaker & a founding Board member of Physician’s Weekly. She can be reached on X at @criley_md and at www.linkedin.com/in/jasminka-criley-md