On Thu, Nov 09, 2000 at 10:38:28AM -0500, Declan McCullagh wrote:
I haven't found such a requirement in Florida law. See below.
-Declan
...
In counties where paper ballots are used...
You quoted FL 101.011. However, FL 101.5609 is a much clearer point against the "must be to the right" claims. 101.5609(6): Voting squares may be placed in front of or in back of the names of candidates and statements of questions and shall be of such size as is compatible with the type of system used. Ballots and ballot information shall be printed in a size and style of type as plain and clear as the ballot spaces reasonably permit. Tear-off stubs shall be of a size suitable for the ballots used and for the requirements of the voting device. The ballots may contain special printed marks and holes as required for proper positioning and reading of the ballots by the automatic tabulating equipment. When ballots are bound into pads, they may be bound at the top or bottom or at either side. In the case of the paper ballots, all offices and questions may be printed on the same sheet of paper. On the other hand, I've heard claims that people realized their mistake and tried to get a new ballot but were refused. This is clearly illegal: 101.5608(2)(b) Any voter who spoils his or her ballot or makes an error may return the ballot to the election official and secure another ballot, except that in no case shall a voter be furnished more than three ballots. A spoiled ballot shall be preserved, without examination, in an envelope provided for that purpose. The stub shall be removed from the ballot and placed in an envelope. -- Marc