Anyone in the business of studying election-related issues and talking to the public inevitably gets asked the question, “Why can’t we vote like they do in [insert favorite country here]?”  I have a list of things to talk about (federalism, the “long ballot,” concern for access, etc.), which leaves the questioner more informed, but not totally convinced.

Now comes a very nice article on Slate.com by Mark Vanhoenacker, that addresses a variant of this question:  why can’t American ballots be simpler?  His answer is a model of clarity.  I encourage you to read it.