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Slate on bad ballot design and some possible solutions

Slate on bad ballot design and some possible solutions.

Reader comments

jasonOct 07, 2003 at 4:45PM

wow, even those designs can use some work. the third one (the red one) seems to have been thrown together at press-time. look at all the rules that extend past the box, and shoddy bitmapping of the image.

jasonOct 07, 2003 at 4:45PM

wow, even those designs can use some work. the third one (the red one) seems to have been thrown together at press-time. look at all the rules that extend past the box, and shoddy bitmapping of the image.

eckolaOct 08, 2003 at 5:39PM

Being 19, this election was my first time to vote, ever. I was able to comprehend the ballot used in Redwood City, CA very easily. It had one column filled with names (not in alphabetical order,) and another column with a broken arrow, and you simply had to take the black marker they provided and connect the arrow together by drawing in the middle portion. It was relatively easy โ€” easier than I imagine the punch cards would be, or even the electronic touch-screen voting systems whereas a slight hand movement can cause your vote to be wrongly cast.

I do however agree with Jessie Scalon when he says the problem with ballots is they are not designed by designers. If I had any say in it, I would design one ballot, graphically identical in all states and counties, and simply rotate the listed names as Scalon suggested. Forget the randomized rotating alphabet. Simplicity is the best option in this case. A to Z.

This thread is closed to new comments. Thanks to everyone who responded.