Ballot design

Ballot design can significantly influence election outcomes. Seth Godin, speaking on the Akimbo, highlights ongoing issues with ballot design, such as confusing layouts that can mislead voters. He argues for the necessity of requiring a permit or license for ballot designers, comparing their responsibility to that of performing heart surgery due to its impact on democracy 1.

Additionally, Maya Shankar, on the Rich Roll, underscores how behavioral aspects, like the order of candidate names, influence voters. Research from Texas shows that candidates listed first receive a ten percentage point boost in low-information environments. To counteract such biases, randomizing the order of candidate names is a measure that can promote fairness 2.