Any news on the Cleveland "butterfly ballot" problem?

[dolstein]

According to an editorial in today' New York Times, people who vote by absentee ballot used in Cuyahoga County (which includes Cleveland) could very easily end up spoiling their ballots or voting for the wrong candidate if they fail to read the instructions closely. Apparently, the printer "inadvertantly" placed arrors next to each candidate's name. Unfortunately, the arrow leads to the wrong chad, and if voters punch that out, they'll end up voting for the wrong candidate, or no candidate at all. The instructions indentify the correct chad to punch for each candidate.

[dolstein]

1. Here's a link to an AP news story

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/9971498.htm?1c

Some Cuyahoga County absentee ballot voters confused over layout

CONNIE MABIN

Associated Press


CLEVELAND - The elections board in Ohio's most populous county has fielded numerous calls from voters confused about the layout of absentee ballots.

The ballots are from traditionally Democratic Cuyahoga County, which is receiving more than 2,000 requests for absentee ballots every day. Both presidential campaigns have focused on the county in a state both candidates consider crucial to what's expected to be a close election Nov. 2.

The problem occurs if voters align the ballot portion, which shows a candidate's name, a number and an arrow, with the punch card, which also bears numbers. The numbers don't always line up.

For example, a Cleveland Heights absentee ballot book lists the numeral six next to Democrat John Kerry's name. If a voter tries to line up the arrow with the punch card, the number across from Kerry's name, however, could be for another candidate or for a no vote.

. . .

Absentee voters are supposed to ignore the arrows and punch out the chad that matches the candidate's number, Jacqueline Maiden, a coordinator with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, said Wednesday.

. . .

"When the ballots are placed in the machines, the numbers line up with the arrows," she said, sliding a sample ballot into a machine similar to the ones that will be used Nov. 2 to show how it lined up correctly.

The instructions tell absentee voters to punch the corresponding number but don't specifically say to disregard the arrows. That has some voters worried, epecially because the outcome of the election is predicted to be close.

. . .


In Cuyahoga County, more than 71,000 voters so far have asked to cast absentee ballots, nearly equaling the total from four years ago. The deadline to request a ballot is Oct. 30.

. . .

[Moderator]

2. dolstein

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