[Sigia-l] ballot usability redux

[James Spahr]

My jaw just landed beside my feet, with a resounding "Thud!".

I just could not believe that random order would be the preferred 
method of ordering names. I'd really love to see the history of that 
spectacular decision, and the arguments against alphabetical listings 
-- I can see why some people might think alphabetical listings would 
put some canidates at a disadvantage -- but that really would be 
assuming your users are morons ...

I wonder if any studies were done.

Anyway, I found the source of the quote:
http://www.msnbc.com/news/945950.asp

If this is true...

On Sunday, August 10, 2003, at 10:53  PM, Listera wrote:

> "With the candidate filing deadline past, Monday looms as another 
> important
> milestone, when the secretary of state will determine, using a random
> drawing, the order that candidates¹ names will appear on the Oct. 7 
> ballot."

James.