Ballot papers should be as friendly as possible to all voters in order to maximize participation and reduce the number of spoilt or ‘invalid’ votes. This often entails the use of symbols for parties and candidates, photographs, and colours. FPTP and AV ballot papers are often easiest to print and, in most cases, have a relatively small number of names. TRS ballot papers are similarly easy, but in many cases new ballot papers have to be printed for the second round of voting, thus effectively doubling the production cost; and consideration also has to be given to allowing sufficient time to print the papers for the second ballot. Parallel and MMP systems often require the printing of at least two ballot papers for a single polling day, and use two (or more) very different electoral systems, with logistical implications for the training of election officials and the way in which people vote. SNTV, BV, BC, and STV ballot papers are more complex than FPTP ballot papers because they will have more candidates, and therefore more symbols and photographs (if these are used). Lastly, List PR ballot papers can span the continuum of complexity. They can be very simple, as in a closed-list system, or quite complex, as the open list system where a vote can be cast for one or more candidates from a list, and there is also the possibility of issuing a preferential vote or electing candidates from different parties (panachage), such as in Switzerland or Ecuador where the voter can either vote for all the candidates of a single list, for some preferences within a list or between lists.
That is why it is very important that besides choosing the most suitable electoral system for each country, special attention be devoted to the design and production of easily understandable ballots for all people, especially those with lower education.
