Ballot Rotation
Ballot Rotation: Process of varying the order of the candidate names within a given contest.
Definition
Process of varying the order of the candidate names within a given contest. This practice varies by state.
Alternative Definitions
- Definition 2
Process of varying the order of the candidate names within a given contest to reduce the impact of voter bias towards the candidate(s) listed first.
- Definition 3
The process of varying the order of listed candidates within a contest.
- Definition 4
The process of varying the order of listed candidates within a contest. This allows each candidate to appear first on the list of candidates an approximately equal number of times across different ballot styles or election districts.
- Definition 5
The practice of altering the order in which candidates are listed on the BALLOT in different precincts or on successive paper ballots, ostensib ly to eliminate any effect of ordering or prominence of a party or a specific candidate. Varying the order of candidate names within a RACE to reduce the PRIMACY EFFECT. The “process of vary ing the order of the CONTEST CHOICES within a given CONTEST.” 2007 VVSG. In some states, ballot rotation is mandatory; in others it is forbidden. Some states, such as Arizona, have a special rotation method: “When there are two or more candidates for a nomination, except in the case of precinct committeemen, the names of all candidates for the nomination shall be so alternated upon the ballots used in each election precinct that the na me of each candidate shall appear substantially an equal number of times at the top, at the bottom and in each intermediate place of the list or group of candidates in which they belong.” Ariz. Rev. Stat. §16-464(A). This is known as ARIZONA ROTATION. A prescribed rotation algorithm is also given in Minn. Rules §8220.0825. See also ALTERNATION, CALIFORNIA-STYLE ROTATION, COUNTY-LEVEL ROTATION, RANDOMIZATION, STANDARD ROTATION, STATE-LEVEL ROTATION.