Election-Campaign Law

What Does Retained Mean?

By Thad Hall

So Morgan and I are out doing election observations in New Mexico and twice we have seen people ask poll workers a very simple question:

• What does “retained” mean?

This is in the context of judicial retention races, where the question is “Shall X be retained as district judge in Y district?”  This is not a question asking you to “vote for one” or vote “For” or “Against”.  We watched a voter actually spoil her ballot because she didn’t get the question.  It is interesting to read over a ballot and realize how difficult they can be to read because they use pretty complex sentences on referenda, bond issues, and constitutional amendments.  As Morgan and I discussed this, we realized that asking “Do you want to keep the following judge in office?” is an easier way to ask the same thing.

Full post as published by Election Updates on November 04, 2008 (boomark / email).