John D. Giorgis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] wrote:
>
> ISSUE #2 - Butterfly ballots are confusing.
> Turns out that butterfly ballots have been used several times
> before, including in Gore Campaign Chairman Daley's own Cook
> County, IL. Most importantly, a local judge, the County
> Elections Director (a registered Democrat and Gore
> supporter), and *both* campaigns approved the ballot
> beforehand. This effectively eliminates any legal basis for
> the Gore campaign to call for a recount.
Ignoring legal precedent for the moment...
It's well known in UI circles that what seems perfectly logical and
intuitive to the designers and expert users can be completely unusable
in practice or when other groups are exposed to it. That's why we do
usability trials on UI designs.
A local TV station did exactly that last night - they took the WPB
ballot to a local seniors' center and asked the residents what they
thought - most said it looked reasonable and clear. Then they asked them
to use it - and many made mistakes or asked for help. No number were
given, so it's purely annecdotal. But it does indicate that there is
more to it than bitter or honest post-voting confusion and concern.
Again, ignoring precedent and such silly things as "law". :)
Joshua
