alphabetically according to the first letter of the party name.[1] Independent columns are always placed at the right of the party columns. After the order has become established and a party’s adherents instructed where to find the ticket, the party is very loath to change, even for a position on the ballot deemed originally more advantageous.
In the states possessing the party-column type of the ballot, the law usually provides for placing a circle or square at the head of each party ticket close to the party title, and the elector can vote for all the party nominees by making a cross (X) in such circle. Four party-column states have abolished the party circle.[2] The Iowa form eliminates most of the objectionable features of the party-column type and makes its operation somewhat akin to the office group. Rather curiously, two of the office-group types have added party circles.[3] In Pennsylvania the titles of the parties or groups are printed in the first column at the left of the ballot, and a party square is placed to the right of each name. In Nebraska, the party titles and circles are placed at the top of the ballot just under the initiative and referendum measures. In Colorado[4] in place of the party circle there formerly was printed across the head of the ballot above the list of nominees the words: “I hereby vote a straight ticket, except where I have marked opposite the name of some other candidate.” An elector who wished to vote a straight party ticket had only to write in the name of the party desired, but this provision was abolished in 1913. It would seem that the straight-voting provisions would make the ballot in these states very similar in operation to the Indiana form.
Twelve other states follow the example of Indiana and place party emblems or devices on the ballot. The list includes New Hampshire, New York, Delaware, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Louisiana, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Utah. In this group of thirteen states all but New York are of the party-column type. The portion of the Alabama statute of 1903 relating to party emblems is typical.[5] It provides that each political party shall by its state convention or state executive committee adopt and file with the secretary of state an emblem to be printed at the top of the party column on the ballot. The party cannot select a design similar to one already
