This is such a clear illustration of why the US Federal election is at risk, direct from the Votemaster:
Here is an example of the kind of issue that might turn Ohio into Florida.. Take a look at the absentee ballot for Cuyahoga County, where Cleveland is located. Suppose you wanted to vote for George Bush. Which square would you fill in? If you picked the one I colored in green one, congratulations, you just threw your vote away. The one in red is the correct choice to vote for George Bush. Blue is for Kerry. I guess that after losing her reelection bid, Palm Beach County, FL, elections supervisor Theresa LePore must have gotten a new job designing ballots in Ohio. I didn't think ballot design was rocket science. Shows you what I know.Ungabaleevabull...
Comments
Ben - October 24, 2004 5:38 PM
Our process might have its flaws but the Canadian ballot is just about as perfect as it can get. I remember receiving my absentee ballot in the mail in 2000 while I was going to school in North Carolina. People down there couldn't believe how simple it was. A thing of beauty.
alfons - October 24, 2004 6:11 PM
So, who's on the Nr. 14 ticket?
Alan - October 24, 2004 6:17 PM
Vote master filled in those colours, I think. You would have to this decision behind the curtain without even the guidance of colour.
Kim - October 24, 2004 9:01 PM
Why on earth do they make things so complicated? I wonder what all the other numbers are for.
Alan - October 24, 2004 9:11 PM
I thought it was great finding a community unbeknownst to the rest of the world basically using base 25 for one of their celebration markers, an eighth of a century.
Alan - October 25, 2004 9:30 PM
The Commissar has some well set out further research on this particular ballot and confirms that the problem is not one of political hi-jinks but an administrative mess.
'nee - October 26, 2004 1:26 AM
Don't forget that in the US you're not just voting for president. You're also for people like your police chief and local justices, as well as about a zillion propositions and ballot initiatives. There's democracy, then there's democracy. It's like a circus crossed with Workopolis.com.