Dan Cassino from Farleigh Dickinson University and Josh Pasek from the University of Michigan discuss the history of ballot design, the 2000 ballot fiasco, and how some ballots still favor a candidate or party. They explore voting methods, ballot security, and the impact of design on election results and voter behavior
Ballot design significantly influences voter choices through candidate positioning on the ballot, potentially favoring certain candidates.
Uniformity in ballot design and counting procedures is crucial for maintaining the integrity of democracy and upholding fair election practices.
Deep dives
Evolution of Voting Systems in America
Voting systems in the US evolved from public Viva Voche voting to printed ballots by political parties. Early systems included dropping balls in barrels with each candidate's name, leading to the term 'ballot' from the Italian 'palote,' meaning a little ball. Viva Voche voting required voters to publicly announce their choices, creating transparency but also risking intimidation and coercion.
Transition to Modern Ballot Designs
In the late 19th century, a movement for political reform introduced standardized white paper ballots to maintain anonymity. California pioneered this change, moving from party-printed ballots to government-produced ballots, ensuring fairness and preventing manipulation. Further innovations like the Australian ballot from Australia led to private voting, reducing the risk of coercion and ensuring the confidentiality of choices.
Impact of Ballot Design on Elections
The positioning of candidates on ballots, such as in the 'county line' system in New Jersey, significantly influences voter choices. Studies show that candidates listed first or in preferred columns can benefit from double-digit percentage advantages in voter selection. In New Jersey's 2024 Democratic primary, a controversial ballot design using a party column system faced legal challenges due to its potential to influence election outcomes.
Challenges of Ballot Counting
While modern optical-scantron systems minimize errors in counting, inconsistencies across voting districts in addressing margins of error pose challenges. In cases where the margin of error surpasses the election margin, legal battles ensue to determine the outcome. The importance of consistent election practices underscores the need for uniformity in ballot design and counting procedures to uphold the integrity of democracy.
We started out by lining up on different sides of the street, then by saying our vote out loud. We've used many methods to vote, but most of them were corruptible by the party in power. But have we reached the pinnacle? Have we finally achieved the "perfect ballot?"
Today, Dan Cassino of Farleigh Dickinson University and Josh Pasek of the University of Michigan walk us through the history of ballot design, the ballot fiasco in 2000, and how some ballots continue to favor one candidate (or party) over the other.
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