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Those systems that can accommodate preferential voting are capable of <br />one method or the other, but not both methods, on the same ballot. <br />B. Absentee ballots cannot accommodate both types of election <br />There is currently no way to print and count absentee ballots that have <br />both traditional and preferential contests on them. Even if the precinct <br />devices could be programmed for both preferential and traditional <br />contests, a separate paper absentee ballot would be required that would <br />be processed and counted by a scanner that had been programmed only <br />for preferential contests. It is not possible to estimate the additional cost <br />of conducting this type of election, but the additional ballot production, <br />programming and administrative costs could be substantial. <br />C. Voter confusion <br />An election utilizing two methods of voting would result in massive <br />voter confusion. There would be instructions on portions of the ballot <br />instructing voters to vote in one way and to utilize an entirely different <br />process of voting on other parts of the ballot. Please remember that City <br />contests on a consolidated ballot are approximately midway down the <br />ballot. This would mean voters would vote traditionally for part of the <br />ballot, then preferentially, and then switch back to traditional. I can only <br />imagine the amount of confusion this would cause. <br />D. Possible disenfranchisement of voters <br />Under a full preferential system such as is used in the Australian State of <br />Victoria, a voter MUST mark a preference for every candidate or the <br />ballot is considered spoiled and not counted. As an election official with <br />nearly twenty years experience conducting elections, I can assure you <br />that this type of system would result in very high numbers of disqualified <br />ballots and disenfranchised voters. <br />E. Need for revision to Charter and municipal code <br />A change to preferential voting and a change in election dates would <br />require an amendment to the Charter. However, it would also require <br />that new sections of the Municipal Code be drafted to establish the local <br />laws and regulations for the election. It would be the responsibility of <br />