Ethical Analysis and Decision Making

Butterfly Ballot Case Ethical Assessment
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According to the ASPA code of ethics, one of the principles supposed to be upheld is the advancement of public interest (American Society for Public Administration, n.d.). Ms. Lepore met this requirement when she decided to use the existing butterfly ballot system instead of implementing a new system that would be very costly to the state. (Montjoy & Slaton, 2002). The ASPA code of ethics also requires a professional to act by the provisions of the constitution and the law. Ms. Lepore did not at any point break the law or act in contravention with its requirements.
The third requirement is the promotion of democratic participation (American Society for Public Administration, n.d.). Ms. Lepore met this requirement by ensuring the public was informed on the voting process as well as the ballot design via the media and other platforms. She also ensured that the voting process was responsive and transparent. The ASPA also requires the strengthening of social equity. According to Ms. Lepore’s ballot design, all candidates were fitted on the same page without reducing the font size to ensure fairness and equality to all candidates and voters including those with special needs such as the elderly and the disabled.
The ethical requirement of fully informing and advising was met by Ms. Lepore when she kept the public updated on the design through the media. She also passed all the relevant information to the election officials during training through the PowerPoint she had created (Montjoy & Slaton, 2002).

Another ethical requirement is the demonstration of personal integrity. Though ethical concerns were raised against Ms. Lepore, she was never quoted as having any professional misconduct. This shows that despite the shortcomings of her ballot design, her integrity remained unquestionable.
The ASPA code of ethics also requires the promotion of ethical organizations and the advancement of professional excellence (American Society for Public Administration, n.d.). Lepore acted competently and ethically by choosing the best available system of ballot design and developing it in a manner that incorporated the needs of special groups such as the elderly and the disabled (Montjoy & Slaton, 2002). Through the outlined actions, she can be said to have promoted an ethical organization. Her ability to design the ballots in a manner that doesn’t put some candidates at a disadvantage proves that her ability to advance professional excellence is not in question.
References
American Society for Public Administration. (n.d.). ASPA Code of Ethics. Retrieved August 29, 2018, from https://www.aspanet.org/ASPA/About-ASPA/Code-of-Ethics/ASPA/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics.aspx?hkey=fefba3e2-a9dc-4fc8-a686-3446513a4533Montjoy, R. S., & Slaton, C. D. (2002). Interdependence and ethics in election systems: The case of the butterfly ballot. Public Integrity, 4(3), 515-524.