When it comes to ensuring election ballots contain clear and concise voter information, Massachusetts can do better.
The Massachusetts Secretary of State’s Election Division deserves praise for ensuring ballots, including the one drafted for the Sept. 1 primary elections, is printed in Spanish as well as English.
But that’s where the praise ends. The ballot is riddled with confusing and outdated titles and language, and decidedly short on information valuable to the voter.
For example, the Democratic primary ballot mailed to residents includes the heading, “Senator in Congress.” Any eighth grader knows this is a clumsy, if not redundant, way to describe the office sought by U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey and U.S. Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III.
The proper heading should read, “United States Senator.”
The ballot heading for the Sixth Congressional District primary should simply read, “United States House of Representatives,” not “Representative in Congress.”
Both of these ham-handed examples pale in comparison to the poor description the voter is subjected to in the race for the Governor’s Council District Six seat.
We can give voters the benefit of the doubt and assert that most people come to the polls informed about their voting choices. But the harried or less-than-prepared voter could be forgiven for reading “Councillor” on the ballot and wondering if they are voting in a city or a state election.
The same can be said about the description for legislative races listed on the ballot. Ballot listings for state Senate and Massachusetts House of Representatives candidates are listed under the heading “General Court.”
There is nothing technically inaccurate about this description except for the fact that it never crosses the lips of anyone talking about the state legislature.
The busy voter who is not a political science major specializing in Massachusetts politics can be forgiven if they fill out the ballot wondering if they are electing a judge.
Ironically, the elected office probably least familiar to voters is the only one accurately described on the ballot: The office of Register of Probate.
Voters are probably curious to know the community where a candidate lives. But the ballot practice of listing someone’s precise address is of little or no interest to anyone.
The ballot should include concise descriptions of the elected offices listed on it. “U.S. Senator” could include this description: “The candidate elected will become Massachusetts’ junior senator serving a six-year term. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren is the state’s senior senator.”
The Governor’s Council description could read: “Governor’s Council duties include advising the governor on appointments, pardons and commutations.” Short, sweet and informative.
Voters are demanding accessible and fair ways to make their voices heard on election day. It’s time for Massachusetts ballots to inform them with concise and helpful language.