Friday, November 21, 2008

Amusing Ballots

It's been over two weeks since the election and there are some races still to be decided. The U.S. Senate race between Norm Coleman and Al Franken in Minnesota is in a dead heat. There are many ballots that are being challenged by both parties.

Let's have a look at some of them, shall we?

I vote to reject this one since Minnesota state law states that "If a ballot is marked by distinguishing characteristics in a manner making it evident that the voter intended to identify the ballot, the entire ballot is defective."

This ballot clearly indicates that the voter intended to vote for Al Franken. I'll give this one to Franken.

This one goes to Norm Coleman. I don't care what anyone says. Those marks are nowhere near Al Franken's bubble.

I'll give this one to Coleman. The write-in isn't too legible. Who is Birdman? Or is it Bachmen?

Isn't this one interesting? It seems the voter started to vote for Franken and then later decided that Coleman would be a better choice. Is it clear as to who the person wants to vote for? I think not. Reject.

This one here is being challenged because the thumb print could be used to identify the voter and therefor should be automatically rejected. I'd let this one slide. I mean really, a thumb print?

This one clearly shows that the voter has no clue who he/she wants to vote for. Reject.


This voter says NO to Coleman but marks his bubble anyway. I vote to reject this one. It is not clear as to who this person wanted to vote for. I wonder what the IQ of this person is?

Isn't this fun?

This ballot shows a clear vote for Franken, but a preference for Lizard People. Who are the Lizard people? I'd give this one to Franken, wouldn't you?

Hmm, don't people know how to read instructions? Do they not see the bubbles beside the candidate's name? I didn't know that you had to be a rocket scientist to figure out how to fill out a ballot. As dumb as this person is, this does show a clear preference for Franken, so I will give it to him.

Coleman or Franken? Franken or Coleman? I don't know. Do you? I suppose the preference is for Coleman. Though I still think that if people can't follow the rules, their vote should not be counted, but in a close race like this each candidate needs every vote they can get. I'll go out on a limb here and give this to Coleman.

Why is this one even being contested? Because of one dot? Please. This one goes to Franken.

I don't know why this one is being contested either. The preference is surely for Barkley after considering Franken. This one goes to Barkley.

What was wrong with this person? How hard is it to select ONE name? It does show a preference for Barkley, but Barkley won't win anyway. Give it to Barkley.

Hmm. This one isn't too hard to figure out, is it? This person clearly doesn't want his/her vote to be counted. Reject.

I have to say, this was a lot of fun.

You can do this yourself by going here.

2 comments:

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Stunatra,
I'd have to agree with you on all counts. I don't know what the officials are fussing about on these ballots when you have made very perceptive and common sense evaluations of these so-called challenged ballots.

You have a nose for details which is very important in such situations, coupled with practical observations...you should be on the panel deciding on these ballots and get the election over with and the rightful winner declared. Unless those responsible are so bureaucratic that they've forgotten how to think. :-) --Durano, done!

Jack W Grayson said...

Very interesting. I certainly believe that when morons do not follow the rules, their votes should be rejected. There were some that I would accept as well as those that should obviously be rejected.