GOP first
This year, Republicans will be listed before Democrats on state general-election ballots. Under state law through 1994, Democrats were listed before Republicans; some GOP candidates sued the Election Board, and that law was eventually thrown out.
So now, the names of both parties are sealed in a mayonnaise jar kept on Clem McSpadden’s porch, or something like that, and then one is drawn. (Doing the drawing this year: Kitti Asberry, vice-chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.) I assume that if we ever get around to allowing third parties, they too will be added to the jar. Asberry believes that independents and undecided voters have a tendency to go for the first name they see:
A lot of times when they see the first position on the ballot they’ll go ahead and mark it before you can look anywhere else.
And state GOP chair Gary Jones says yes, it’s an advantage, albeit a small one:
It’s not that significant, but we’ve got races that are won by two votes and that could make a difference.
If I remember correctly, in the few nonpartisan elections we have — Mayor of Oklahoma City comes to mind — the candidates are listed alphabetically.
Side note: When State Questions are on the ballot, the order is Yes, then No. Should these be randomized? Sometimes I think they should; other times I think it will just slow down the balloting.
writerchick »
21 July 2008 · 9:37 pm
Oh for crying out loud – I guess we’re all just a bunch of dumb bunnies and just choose the most convenient box, eh? I think if a person is that stupid they shouldn’t be allowed to vote. As to the yes/no question – that’s the typical sequence, I’d lobby for clearer language since they usually muck it up so bad people have no idea what they are voting for or against. In fact, let’s just make all the politicians and the voting commission illegal and put them to work at the local Winn Dixie.
WC
Dwayne "the canoe guy" »
21 July 2008 · 9:38 pm
Now being an Independant, I’m insulted by Ms Kitti thinking I’ll just make the first name I see. Because of that remark, I’ll be sure to read all the names before not voting for the Democrat.
CGHill »
21 July 2008 · 9:40 pm
I’m just grateful they got rid of straight-party voting.
McGehee »
21 July 2008 · 10:58 pm
I’m not sure where it happens, but some state somewhere — or a county therein — prints multiple versions of each particular ballot, with the candidate order randomly shuffled among the different versions. Then I assume the ballots themselves are likewise randomly shuffled.
One potential advantage to the touch screens is, it should be possible to have each machine randomly reorder the candidates for each office, each time the screen is drawn to be placed before the voter. Compared to the reputed disadvantages claimed against the machines, that may be a tad weak.