Press Releases
Ballot & Election Material Design
Report: 60,000 New York Votes Lost Due to Poor Design in 2010
A new Brennan Center for Justice analysis of data from the 2010 election indicates more than 20,000 votes for governor in New York were lost because machines read them as “overvotes,” ballots with too many candidates selected. The analysis finds New York voting machines’ confusing and misleading overvote warning message is at fault, as well as the state’s outdated ballot design.
– 12/06/11
Report: Tens of Thousands of Votes Lost Due to Poor Design in 2008 and 2010
A new Brennan Center for Justice analysis of data from the 2010 general election finds more than 20,000 votes for governor in New York were lost because machines read them as “overvotes,” ballots with too many candidates selected.
– 12/06/11
Brennan Center Announces “Double Vote” Settlement, Victory for Minor Parties and Voters
A settlement has been announced in the Brennan Center's lawsuit against the State Board of Elections on behalf of three of New York's minor parties. The lawsuit challenged a discriminatory New York State policy for counting political party votes.
– 09/09/11
New York State Board of Elections Violates Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act
New York’s new electronic voting machines have the same problem that caused overvoting problems in Florida’s 2008 election, and, if not corrected, could disenfranchise 40,000 to 50,000 New York voters.
– 04/20/10
Mississippi Ballot Will Disenfranchise Hundreds of Thousands of Voters
Letter sent to officials in Mississippi sharply criticizes the design of a ballot for the 2008 election.
– 09/12/08
BAD BALLOT DESIGN Results in Staggering Numbers of Lost Votes
Brennan Center Study shows 13 ballot problems that bedevil elections across the country—voting experts offer guidelines for improved ballot design in time for ‘08 election.
– 07/21/08