Ballot order is critical for candidates. In Pa., it's determined by luck.

[FakeNoose]

Spotlight PA link: https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2024/02/pennsylvania-election-2024-state-house-ballot-lottery-explainer/

As Sajda Blackwell approached the front of the room, she did a little dance of excitement — a shimmy as she pumped both fists in the air.

“All right, all right,” she said, as the woman standing in front of her shook a green leather bag filled with number tiles in preparation for Blackwell — a candidate for the 10th legislative district in west Philadelphia — to select one. “Thirty-five, I feel alive,” she sang after pulling out her tile.

This wasn’t a game of chance at the local American Legion outpost. Instead, it was an official function of the Pennsylvania Department of State, held in Harrisburg last week. State House candidates had gathered to draw numbers establishing the order in which they would appear on the upcoming primary ballot.

A tile numbered between 31 and 40 is pulled from the bag, and the lower the number, the higher a given candidate appears on the ballot. The peculiar process, prescribed by the state’s Election Code, is how election officials ensure fairness in selecting who gets the coveted top ballot position.

- more at link -

This is an interesting commentary on how Pennsylvania's ballot order selection differs from other states. There's no question that the top position on any ballot - in any state - is the best spot for a candidate to be in. How those top spots are determined makes all the difference to candidates and voters.

As a voter, do you often select the first name on the list of candidates? I don't think I do, but I plan to pay closer attention this time. One thing I know for sure is when I receive my mailed ballot, I have time to research the entire candidates list before I make my choice. When voting in person (before Covid made mailed ballots possible) I didn't have that luxury.

[Voltaire2]

1. Offhand I can't think of a fairer system. NT