Once again an election is in the news, and once again there are possible usability issues surrounding the ballot. This time, the election is in California to vote on recalling the current Governor and, if the recall is successful to vote on his replacement. The election is scheduled for October 7, 2003. Some of the issues surrounding this election:
- Most California precincts have purchased new voting systems, but were not planning to have them in operation before the primaries in the summer of 2004. This leaves them stuck between discarded punch card systems and new electronic systems still in their boxes.
- There are as many as 135 names on the ballot, making it a significant design challenge. The punch cards can handle 50 names per page. Paper ballots will be slow and expensive to count.
- The ballot is in two parts: voters must first vote for or against the recall and then for a replacement. Many (incorrect) sources are saying that you must vote “yes” for the recall to be able to vote for a replacement.
Related articles
- California Secretary of State Recall Election Information Page
- Official information is posted here, including details of voter information packets.
- US 9th Circuit Court Decision – The surprisingly readable full text of the ruling issued on September 15, ordering the election be delayed until the scheduled primary in March.
- Ballot design – Gunnar Swenson has made a PDF of one of the ballots available. Note that this is not the ballot used in the counties covered by the lawsuitm but is used to illustrate some general points about the poor design of ballots.