Child’s Play

The so-called “butterfly ballot” in Palm Beach County, Fla., resulted in thousands of confused voters casting their nod to the wrong candidate, contend Democratic Party leaders. Several voters were eager to go on TV to say they think they may have voted for ultra-conservative ex-Republican Pat Buchanan rather than the more liberal Democrat Al Gore. School psychologist Ron McGee of Leesburg, Ga., put the ballot design to the test, asking 8-year-olds at Lee County Elementary to vote for their favorite Disney character on a similar ballot — right down to the large arrows pointing from the name of the character to the corresponding box. “No other directions were given and questions were not answered by teachers,” McGee said. He then interviewed the children and found that not one of 74 children voted incorrectly. For the record, AP noted “Mickey Mouse and Goofy tied for the top spot.” (AP) ...Huh: just like in real life!