Ohio Absentee ballot

PowerlineBlog ^ | 10/24/04 | PowerlineBlog

[Pikamax]

Looking at the ballot, one would assume that to vote for President Bush, you'd punch out the green square opposite the arrow. Nope. The right square for Bush is the red one, number four, near the top of the column. That corresponds, I guess, to the number 4 next to the arrow, and I assume that voters are instructed in what those numbers mean. What makes it unreasonable is that to vote for John Kerry, you punch square six, the blue one, which is just opposite Kerry's arrow. So Bush voters are likely to be confused; Kerry voters won't be.

There are probably dozens, if not hundreds, of such sources of confusion in various districts around the country. Depending on the election's outcome, any of them could be grounds for post-election lawsuits.

[gortklattu]

If this is real it's a criminal act.

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

Is this the absentee voter ballot, or the ballot they intend to use on November 2?

[Chuzzlewit]

it doesn't look like the paper is attached... is it? the right and left sides... also the right side is a different type of paper

they are separate in California.. if they aren't attached it is a non issue

[Enterprise]

Well, this should be grounds for a pre-election lawsuit. Republicans can argue that because of the confusing way the ballot is set up that punching either 4 or 14 (but not both) is a vote for President Bush.

[boxerblues]

Its the absentee

http://www.dispatch.com/election/election-local.php?story=dispatch/2004/10/21/20041021-C10-00.html

[Rokke]

On the bright side, most Bush/Cheney voters aren't functionally illiterate or retarded like many of the folks in Florida.

[jamesissmall218]

They aren't attatched. I live in the neighboring county, but my absentee ballot looked exactly the same. While the numbering system and the order of the candidates on the ballot is a bit strange, they aren't attatched. Strange, yes. Criminal, no.

[knak]

who is number 14 a vote for?

[arbee4bush]

A punch ballot for absentee voting?

This can't be real.

[SALChamps03]

Exactly how difficult would it be for them to place a box to check, or a punch out box in the area where each candidate's name appears?

[Chuzzlewit]

we had punch ballots in Los Angeles in 2000..

[Chuzzlewit]

punch ballot is LA 2000 for absentee voting that is.. .this year it was shade in the cirlce with pen.

[gaspar]

Don't tell Governor Taft! The simpleton wouldn't know what to do and would probably end-up wetting his pants.

[Chuzzlewit]

even if they aren't attached... for the over 90 crowd it could get confusing--- if they lay the ballot next to the voter booklet... should be good for a thousand votes or so for Kerry.

[arbee4bush]

FOFL!

Geez, why use a punch ballot for absentee? Heck, even using the machine that you slide the ballot in the slot and then punch the little teeny hole is too much to deal with at the polling stations--for some people :)

[Freepdonia]

This ballot obviously smells, but if you follow the directions, there shouldn't be any problems. I had zero sympathy for voters in Florida in 2000 and I would have zero sympathy with a Republican voting incorrectly here either. Take your time and you're OK.

In NC, we have straight party voting, except for the president. Obviously, this is an attempt to have Republicans not realize that they have to vote for the presidential ticket separately. Yet, if you just read the directions, no prospective voter should be unaware of the ballot's quirks.

Fortunately, we have the larger share of Brainiacs in our party. :-)

[Oreo Kookey]

I received two "invitations" to vote absentee. Both notices were from the DimocRats. Then I got a call from them because I hadn't "taken advantage" of the opportunity. I told them I don't trust them with my vote and hung up.

[Mister Baredog]

They aren't attatched. I live in the neighboring county, but my absentee ballot looked exactly the same.

My question is if they use these on election day how could #4 possibly be the correct number for the 5th slot on the card.

I've voted on these cards for 30 years but I see a problem with the way the numbers line up in the punchcard machines.

PLEASE tell me I'm wrong and NOT to worry, PLEASE PLEASE.

[hobson]

I see a civil war in my future. This kind of *bleep* cannot continue. I am livid.