Mark41 Posted May 18, 2011 at 12:19 AM Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 at 12:19 AM We are having a disagreement about how the ballots should be set. The one's how wants to stack the ballots so their friends get in, say it should be alphabetically, but I say it should be by the order for which they we nominated. Could someone PLEASE help in this matter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Harrison Posted May 18, 2011 at 12:28 AM Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 at 12:28 AM We are having a disagreement about how the ballots should be set. The one's how wants to stack the ballots so their friends get in, say it should be alphabetically, but I say it should be by the order for which they we nominated. Could someone PLEASE help in this matter? RONR leaves it up to the organization to decide how the ballots should be set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmtcastle Posted May 18, 2011 at 07:30 AM Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 at 07:30 AM RONR leaves it up to the organization to decide how the ballots should be set up.And while at least one on this forum thinks it should be in the order in which nominations were made, I think alphabetical order is the most obviously objective. In other words, everyone should realize why "Aaron, Hank" is listed before "Killebrew, Harmon", while many might wonder why "Incumbent, Joe" was listed before "Challenger, Mary".But, as Chris H. notes, it's up to your organization. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted May 18, 2011 at 11:38 AM Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 at 11:38 AM If you can't get agreement, you might suggest pulling names out of a hat to determine ballot order. That's what we do around these parts in public elections that are non-partisan. (In partisan elections, the parties control their own row or column.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmtcastle Posted May 18, 2011 at 11:48 AM Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 at 11:48 AM If you can't get agreement, you might suggest pulling names out of a hat to determine ballot order.And, whichever method is chosen, a brief explanation on the ballot would be helpful. E.g. "Candidates are listed in random order" or "Candidates are listed in the order in which they were nominated" or, though it should be obvious, "Candidates are listed in alphabetical order". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Foulkes Posted May 18, 2011 at 11:50 AM Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 at 11:50 AM I find it difficult to accept that, if the ballot lists Mr. A before Mr. B and Mr. C, Mr. A will get any votes that he wouldn't get if the order were reversed. Perhaps there are some scientific data that support this psychological phenomenon, but I'd hold out hope the membership will be smarter than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted May 18, 2011 at 02:17 PM Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 at 02:17 PM I find it difficult to accept that, if the ballot lists Mr. A before Mr. B and Mr. C, Mr. A will get any votes that he wouldn't get if the order were reversed. Perhaps there are some scientific data that support this psychological phenomenon, but I'd hold out hope the membership will be smarter than that.There is extensive scientific research on this topic. Just Google "ballot order effect" and you'll find numerous papers on the subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Foulkes Posted May 18, 2011 at 02:52 PM Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 at 02:52 PM There is extensive scientific research on this topic. Just Google "ballot order effect" and you'll find numerous papers on the subject.Maybe Ralph Nader should consider changing his name to Adam Aaronson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted May 18, 2011 at 03:49 PM Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 at 03:49 PM Maybe Ralph Nader should consider changing his name to Adam Aaronson.Partisan races are generally not listed by alphabetical order. Unsurprisingly, ballot design tends to favor the two major parties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted May 18, 2011 at 03:50 PM Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 at 03:50 PM Maybe Ralph Nader should consider changing his name to Adam Aaronson.It would only help of presidential ballots were listed in alphabetical order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.