After spending more than 15 years studying ballot design, we are well aware that the layout, visual design and navigation of ballots matters and has affected the outcomes of elections, as it might have in Florida.

In Broward County, according to MCI Maps, about 3.7 percent (30,896) of voters skipped voting for U.S. senator — as much as 2.5 percent more than in most other counties, and a lot more than neighboring counties. In fact, more people in Broward County voted for the commissioner of agriculture and county CFO than for their U.S. senator. As of Sunday, the two Senate candidates are separated by 12,562 votes statewide; there were 24,992 fewer votes cast for senator than for governor in Broward.

The Broward County ballot almost certainly played a role. Let’s take a look…