Poll: The "Butterfly Ballot" - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

FrankRizzoXD40 · 03-24-2008, 09:51 AM

This is a non-partisan poll aimed and finding out XDTalk members' opinions regarding the "famous" "butterfly ballot", that was used in Florida during the 2000 Presidential Election.

Some claim say the ballot is confusing (some even say "impossible" to figure out) and that it resulted in some people voting for someone they didn't intend to vote for.

Here are two actual pictures of the ballot:

This is a CNN photo of the ballot...

Here is another actual photo of the ballot:

Note that these are NOT graphics of the ballot but actual photos of the ballot itself.

They work by taking a metal tool called a stylus (like a blackberry pen) and punching a hole for the candidate you wish to vote for.

My question to you all is--do you think this ballot is confusing?

Please answer truthfully.

Thanks,

Frank

**Ed Ely** · 03-24-2008, 09:59 AM

Sorry Frank, it is not in Spanish,
therefore I cannot read it.

Ed

FrankRizzoXD40 · 03-24-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Ely

Sorry Frank, it is not in Spanish,
therefore I cannot read it.

Ed

LMAO!

Frank

Sendmenosigns · 03-24-2008, 10:03 AM

its not confusing...maybe not the best design...but not confusing.

Noah Mercy · 03-24-2008, 10:21 AM

Well, since the problem arose due to Democratic supporters standing at the doors to the polling places and telling the Spanish speaking voters to "vote for the second one down", I think the "confusion" was just poetic justice. See, they couldn't tell them to punch Gore because too many of them are illiterate as well as non-English-speaking. And, yes, this is what happened, despite it being illegal as all get out. I was living in Florida and witnessed it. I reported it to the officials at the polling site and myself and several others tried to get the local media interested. No dice...though it would have been a different story if it had been Republicans doing the same thing in the same places.

Incidentally, they gave the same ballot to a class of first graders and a group of 80+ year olds in a group home. Neither demographic had any problem whatsoever figuring out the ballot, thereby making the "confusing ballot" moniker look a little suspicious.

**jmichna** · 03-24-2008, 10:34 AM

We've been using the butterfly ballot for our neighborhood precincts for at least 15 years... no one ever questioned if they were too difficult.

If you can't understand the ballot, maybe you are simply too stupid (note: not too ignorant) to be entrusted with voting in the first place.

bashman · 03-24-2008, 10:36 AM

Not confusing at all. I actually paid attention in school and am literate. I also understand what an arrow is and what it is intended to do. Therefore, I see no confusion.

Judge · 03-24-2008, 10:41 AM

You need one other option on the poll...

Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off....

Yeah, it's 'nearly impossible"... that might go down in history right there..

**Frenchy** · 03-24-2008, 11:51 AM

We don't use the silly thing in Missouri.

LUVMYSIGP225 · 03-24-2008, 12:01 PM

I live 10 miles from North Canton, Ohio. We are still using the paper ballots where you have to color in the dots. What is significant about being form North Canton, you ask? It is the home of.............

View Poll Results: Do you think the "Butterfly" Ballot is confusing?
Not confusing at all!	61	72.62%
A little confusing (but I could still figure it out).	20	23.81%
Very confusing (I would have a hard time voting).	1	1.19%
It is "impossible" to dechiper this ballot!	2	2.38%
Voters: 84. You may not vote on this poll

03-24-2008, 10:21 AM	#5
Noah Mercy XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sheridan, Wyoming Posts: 276	Well, since the problem arose due to Democratic supporters standing at the doors to the polling places and telling the Spanish speaking voters to "vote for the second one down", I think the "confusion" was just poetic justice. See, they couldn't tell them to punch Gore because too many of them are illiterate as well as non-English-speaking. And, yes, this is what happened, despite it being illegal as all get out. I was living in Florida and witnessed it. I reported it to the officials at the polling site and myself and several others tried to get the local media interested. No dice...though it would have been a different story if it had been Republicans doing the same thing in the same places. Incidentally, they gave the same ballot to a class of first graders and a group of 80+ year olds in a group home. Neither demographic had any problem whatsoever figuring out the ballot, thereby making the "confusing ballot" moniker look a little suspicious. __________________ I may be fat, hairy, and ugly...BUT AT LEAST I SMELL BAD!

03-24-2008, 10:41 AM	#8
Judge XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,814	You need one other option on the poll... Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off.... Yeah, it's 'nearly impossible"... that might go down in history right there.. Last edited by Judge : 03-24-2008 at 10:45 AM.

03-24-2008, 11:51 AM	#9
Frenchy XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Mid-Missouri Posts: 12,332	We don't use the silly thing in Missouri. __________________ ~SC Harvey~ 2008 Election..."Imbrace your ignorance, and vote your preference". It's quite simple, really... *If you vote for Obama, you are a fuking idiot. If you vote for McCain, you are a fuking idiot.* *If your vote is for the lessor of two evils, then you can be comforted knowing that you're less of a fuking idiot than the other guy! Because Fritz says so! RON PAUL IN 2008**

03-24-2008, 12:01 PM	#10
LUVMYSIGP225 XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Crackron, Ohio Posts: 4,610	I live 10 miles from North Canton, Ohio. We are still using the paper ballots where you have to color in the dots. What is significant about being form North Canton, you ask? It is the home of............. __________________ Rest In Peace Officer Josh Miktarian. God bless Holly and Thea.

03-24-2008, 09:59 AM	#2
Ed Ely XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: 37.65N -84.76W (Elev. 932 ft) Posts: 7,518 Blog Entries: 1	Sorry Frank, it is not in Spanish, therefore I cannot read it. Ed

03-24-2008, 10:03 AM	#4
Sendmenosigns XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boonies Posts: 118	its not confusing...maybe not the best design...but not confusing.

03-24-2008, 10:34 AM	#6
jmichna XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NE Illinois Posts: 1,175	We've been using the butterfly ballot for our neighborhood precincts for at least 15 years... no one ever questioned if they were too difficult. If you can't understand the ballot, maybe you are simply too stupid (note: not too ignorant) to be entrusted with voting in the first place.

03-24-2008, 10:36 AM	#7
bashman XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Charlotte Posts: 336	Not confusing at all. I actually paid attention in school and am literate. I also understand what an arrow is and what it is intended to do. Therefore, I see no confusion.

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