District 13 Sample Ballot

Above is the sample ballot sent to voters. It is differnent that the actual ballot used. This may have caused confusion with some voters.

In an effort to save money, Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent mailed a simplified sample ballot to every voter in the county.

The sample ballot was similar to what voters saw when they entered voting booths. But key differences between the two ballots may have helped stoke voter confusion and exacerbated problems voters had finding the District 13 congressional race on touch-screen machines, experts say.

Personally, I think the election day ballot is worse. It took me more than a moment to find Christine Jennings or Vern Buchanan. The bad news for Kathy Dent is sending out an incorrect sample ballot may have violated Florida election law. Short version: the sample ballot was easier to read then the actual ballot. The former may be illegal. The days when Boss Tweed held elections are looking well-managed by comparison.