Hey Americans - what did your actual ballot look like?

CutiePie2000 · #1 12-05-2000, 10:37 AM

Since I am a Canadian, I am very interested in this:

One thing I would like to ask the Americans on this board is when you voted, what did the actual ballot that you received look like? Was it a "punch a hole" for the candidate that you want kind, or
"mark an X" in pencil or
"shade in the circle" (like those Opscan tests at college).

Just wondering. Here in Canada, we voted on Monday, November 27th, and all ballots are the same format....the names are all listed alphabetically (with the party written underneath each name), with a circle beside each candidate. You mark an "X" in PENCIL and that's that. Pretty low tech stuff. (The ballots are the same design across the country).

I think the "punch a hole" ballot is a bad idea (design wise), because if you make a mistake, you can't undo it. Whereas with pencil, at least you can erase it if you change your mind a few times, or if you make a mistake.

Please let me know what your ballot was like, I am interested.

CutiePie2000 · #2 12-05-2000, 10:41 AM

Here is a sample Canadian ballot here:

mccoyred · #3 12-05-2000, 11:12 AM

Here in Baltimore County in Maryland, you simply had to connect two lines that were about an inch apart into one line VERY SIMPLE. Whereas, when I live in Philadelphia, we used the OOOOOLLLLLDDD voting booths w/ levers where you cannot vote for more than one candidate per office selection.

There are too many variations and I am definitely a supporter of a national standard. In fact, the governor of Maryland just announced his initiative for this state to do just that job. e appointed a committee that has 60 days to make a recommendation so that everything will be in place for the 2002 elections. He has also committed the necessary funds for new/leased equipment and voter/election official education upfront.

Quote:

Originally posted by CutiePie2000:

Just wondering. Here in Canada, we voted on Monday, November 27th, and all ballots are the same format....the names are all listed alphabetically (with the party written underneath each name), with a circle beside each candidate. You mark an "X" in PENCIL and that's that. Pretty low tech stuff. (The ballots are the same design across the country).

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MCCOYRED

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BaltCo Alumnae

bucutie02 · #4 12-05-2000, 11:22 AM

Well the ballot I had looked like the canadian one you pictured except we had to punch a hole. This one was also VERY SIMPLE. I agree that the one ballot that seemed to have started this entire mess was a bit confusing, but please, if you are truly concentrating on who you are voting for, there is no excuse for punching a hole for the wrong person, and if you didnt understand or were having a hard time- there are people there to help. They can also throw your ballot out and give you a new one if you realized you had made a mistake while you were still voting! but really people, how hard is it to vote, even with the butterfly ballot?!

bucutie02 · #5 12-05-2000, 11:24 AM

mccoyred, I definitely agree with you and there should be ONE same ballot for everyone in the US. I dont understand why every precidinct has a different ballot. Everything would just be a whole lot easier with only one kind of ballot.

lifesaver · #6 12-05-2000, 11:37 AM

In some Texas counties for years we have been using the optical scanner system. You actually scanned in your completed ballot into the computer yourself. Not completely fraudproof, but pretty close. Ones that were messed up, or double marked, marked outside the circle, etc were scanned into a seperate tray inside the sealed, computer. They "disputed ballots" were hand counted by the elections supervisors that night. When I moved to the metro area they were still using the old machienes with the curtain and levers. They were REALLY old and were getting too expensive to store and transport, so they finally went to the optical system here. Way quicker, easier and more accurate.

CutiePie2000 · #7 12-05-2000, 11:43 AM

This is very educational for me. I am glad that I posted the thread. Now to mccoyred
and lifesaver, how does the "levers" thing work? Does it punch a hole?

Please explain, I don't really get it. Thanks!

juniorgrrl · #8 12-05-2000, 12:04 PM

In Louisiana, someplace you would think of as backwoods, we have computerized machines. I press a button next to the candidate's name, it lights up with a green X. When I'm finished, I press "VOTE" and it registers the votes and clears the ballot. Very simple, very accurate.

lifesaver · #9 12-05-2000, 12:26 PM

Also, this stuff about voting accidently for the wrong canidate is CRAP! It is the voters RESPONSIBILITY to know their choices in advance. Our local paper prints sample ballots and background info on the candidates the sunday before the election.

And people being denied vote. You gotta stand up and fight for it. had they put that much energy into trying to vote as they are bitching about it now, they WOULD HAVE VOTED.

Her's what happend when my pricinct wouldn't let me vote on a special election. Our state senator died about two months before the election. They already had the ballots printed (his term was not up, so he was not on that years ballot), so they had to print a second ballot for that one race. Three precincts voted at the same location. I knew I was supposed to vote in that race, but the pricinct judge disputed that. (200 people had voted ahead of me im my pricinct and non of them had been allowed to vote in the special race) SO I left, went home GOT MY COPY OF THE NEWSPAPER, and my voters regis. card which had my pricinct number and went back. (in texas you don't have to have your voters registration card with you to vote, just an ID and they look you up on the roll.) I went back, showed them and demanded they call a supervisor. They did and turns out I was right. They promptly issued me the proper ballots and I was then allowed to vote. ALL IT TOOK WAS FOR ME TO BE AN INFORMED VOTER AND TO GET OFF MY LAZY ASS. For the Americans, and Canadians for that matter, we live in a participatory democracy. That means SOME work on your part. The sacrifices my forefathers made are too important for me to disregard. If I was put to the test (war) i don't know If I'd have the ball sto fight and die like they did.

After this florida "butterfly ballot thing" I am so in favor of bringing back poll tests. Not as a form of racial or economic descrimination, but simply to keep stupid people from voting. One or two questions would be enough, like name your states govenor and how many US Senators does your state have?

Now that I am done with my rant, I can get back to work.

mccoyred · #10 12-05-2000, 02:16 PM

AGREED!!! With every right (like voting) comes responsibility!!

Quote:

Originally posted by lifesaver:
Also, this stuff about voting accidently for the wrong canidate is CRAP! It is the voters RESPONSIBILITY to know their choices in advance. Our local paper prints sample ballots and background info on the candidates the sunday before the election.

And people being denied vote. You gotta stand up and fight for it. had they put that much energy into trying to vote as they are bitching about it now, they WOULD HAVE VOTED.

Her's what happend when my pricinct wouldn't let me vote on a special election. Our state senator died about two months before the election. They already had the ballots printed (his term was not up, so he was not on that years ballot), so they had to print a second ballot for that one race. Three precincts voted at the same location. I knew I was supposed to vote in that race, but the pricinct judge disputed that. (200 people had voted ahead of me im my pricinct and non of them had been allowed to vote in the special race) SO I left, went home GOT MY COPY OF THE NEWSPAPER, and my voters regis. card which had my pricinct number and went back. (in texas you don't have to have your voters registration card with you to vote, just an ID and they look you up on the roll.) I went back, showed them and demanded they call a supervisor. They did and turns out I was right. They promptly issued me the proper ballots and I was then allowed to vote. ALL IT TOOK WAS FOR ME TO BE AN INFORMED VOTER AND TO GET OFF MY LAZY ASS. For the Americans, and Canadians for that matter, we live in a participatory democracy. That means SOME work on your part. The sacrifices my forefathers made are too important for me to disregard. If I was put to the test (war) i don't know If I'd have the ball sto fight and die like they did.

After this florida "butterfly ballot thing" I am so in favor of bringing back poll tests. Not as a form of racial or economic descrimination, but simply to keep stupid people from voting. One or two questions would be enough, like name your states govenor and how many US Senators does your state have?

Now that I am done with my rant, I can get back to work.

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MCCOYRED

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Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

mccoyred · #11 12-05-2000, 02:21 PM

Considering the age of the machines, I'm sure that the inner workings are not too sophisticated. But I beleive some type of counter is incremented.

You walk into the booth and pull a lever that closes the curtain. You then pull down the levers for your candidate. If try to pull more than one lever for a set of candidates, it won't let you. You are forced to choose only one. Once you are done, you pull the lever again to open the curtains and record your vote. Voila!

Quote:

Originally posted by CutiePie2000:
This is very educational for me. I am glad that I posted the thread. Now to mccoyred
and lifesaver, how does the "levers" thing work? Does it punch a hole? Please explain, I don't really get it. Thanks!

------------------
MCCOYRED

Dynamic
Salient
Temperate

Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

mgdzkm433 · #12 12-05-2000, 03:06 PM

In putnumn county West Virginia, we use butterfly ballots. I know those are controversial now, but that's the only kind of ballot I've ever used.

CutiePie2000 · #13 12-05-2000, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mccoyred:
AGREED!!! With every right (like voting) comes responsibility!!

Very true...I have to agree. At the same time though, I can see someone like my 70 year old mother (who is a university graduate and a retired dentist) getting a bit befuddled by something like the Butterfly Ballot. Mind you, my Mom would also be assertive enough to speak up and say, "What is the deal with this? I don't understand this ballot." then just blindly completing it and then making a stink about it AFTER THE FACT.

I think the lesson to be learned here is:
"If you don't understand the ballot, don't do anything to it...come out of your little and ASK FIRST!!"

Thanks to mccoyred for the "Lever Explanation"...much appreciated.

#14 12-05-2000, 04:44 PM

In my small Texas town, you picked up your paper ballot, sat at an open table, grabbed a pencil, and marked an X or filled in the oval.

cash78mere · #15 12-05-2000, 07:29 PM

Here in NY we use an electronic ballot. You push a button, can correct mistakes and only submit it when you are ready. Simple, efficient, accurate.

I didn't even KNOW that other parts of the county didn't use the machines. We've had them all my life! Those places need to get up to speed! We're in a technological world!