[Sigia-l] ballot usability redux

[christopher daly ...]

Hi everyone - long time reader, first time poster.

We all recall (oops, pun) the Florida 2000 election/ballot fiasco.  Wondering if anyone
has thoughts on the possible, and IMHO likely unless the conditions change, usability
nightmare of the upcoming California Recall vote.

Your usability challenges, if you choose to accept, are as follows
- First part of ballot, a voter is asked if he wants to Recall the current "Officer" in
this case, Grey Davis, Governor

- Second part of ballot, IF the voter votes yes to recall, then the voter selects form a
list of other candidates to replace the recalled officer.

- The voting mechanism will most likely be an analog voting booth or PUNCH CARD system,
as the new digital machines are not due to come online in California until march of 2004,
and the recall election is scheduled for Oct 7, 2003.

- Thanks to a set of requirements as silly as the thought of Arnold being in charge of
the world's sixth largest economy, and that's Arnold Drummond of D'ffent Strokes fame,
there are close to 400 official candidates to replace Davis if he is recalled.  Including
Larry Flynt, porn star Anglyne, Ah-nold the terminator, and Arnold the little guy - Gary
Coleman himself. Quickie impression, Gary Coleman on Meet the Press... "WHATCHU TALKIN'
'BOUT TIM RUSSERT?" 

- ALL 400 candidates need to be listed on the ballot!

- Recall candidate eligibility does not include party distinctions or anything other than
name.

Can anyone imagine a 2000 election style punch card with 400 entries in it?  What was the
limit on the 2000 ballot?  Would candidates get paginated?  Who or what criteria could
decide the order?  Will Ah-nold, Arnold, or the "smut peddler who cares, Larry Flynt" end
up on page 15 or 40?

Or how about a traditional stand up voting booth with 400 rows? 

In conclusion, there are so many reasons to be pissed off about this recall election, and
lucky for us, there is a PROFESSIONAL reason as well.  

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Christopher Daly
New York City