The Brennan Center has published a 77-page report “Better Ballots” that criticizes badly designed ballots. The Report got this publicity in USA Today. The study finds these problems: (1) splitting candidates for the same office onto different pages or columns; (2) placing different contests on the same touch screen; (3) placing response options on both sides of candidates names; (4) using “complete the arrow” instead of “fill the oval” response options; (5) leaving columns or rows for disqualified candidates; (6) inconsistency in format and style; (7) not using shading to help voters differentiate between voting tasks; (8) not using bold text to help voters differentiate between voting tasks; (9) not writing short, simple instructions; (10) placing instructions far from related actions; (11) not informing voters how to correct paper ballots; (12) failing to effectively warn voters of undervotes in touch screen systems; (13) publishing sample ballots different from actual ballots. To see a pdf of the report, see here.