In the setup phase when it comes time to distribute the title cards it states in the manual:

The President title is given to the first available player in the following list: Laura Roslin, Gaius Baltar, and Tom Zarek. I take this to mean that whoever chooses a president title first on their go will get the President title however friends that I play with say that the list in the manual is in order of preference and if someone chooses Laura Roslin, even if they are not the 1st president character type chosen they will receive the President title. I have examples below:

My View: The first player chooses Tom Zarek and the third player chooses Laura Roslin. Because Zarek was chosen first that person receives the President title card.

Friends view: The first player chooses Tom Zarek and the third player chooses Laura Roslin. Because Roslin is preceding in the list that person receives the President Title card.

Can anyone clarify this for us?

Thanks

What they mean is the first available character on the list at the time the title change is decided. For President this means when the game starts (after characters are chosen, not during), when the President is executed, when the President reveals as a cylon. For Admiral it means the same previous 3 times and when the Admiral is sent to the brig.

In short, your friends are right.

Note, however, that the list is incorrect - the order should match the line of succession for the President title found at the end of the rulebook and should be - Roslin, Baltar, Zarek.

If none of those are chosen (could happen in a 3-player game, or with the expansion), you give it to the highest available character on the succession list.

In your example, Laura Roslin would take the presidency, not Zarek. The president and admiral are chosen after everyone has selected their characters. Just because you were first to choose a political character does not mean you will become president. If you pick Roslin, however, you are guaranteed to start as the president since she is at the top of the hierarchy (same with Kane becoming admiral).

I noticed another problem with your scenario. It is impossible for player #3 to pick Zarek when player #1 picked Roslin. That would be two policital characters picked before a pilot and military character are picked. With the exception of support, you cannot pick one character type until a character from the other two character types are chosen. Therefore, it is impossible to have two political characters in a three player game. Also consider this situation.... player #1 picks Baltar, player #2 picks Kane, player #3 picks Starbuck, and player #4 picks Ellen Tigh. You have two political characters, one military, and one pilot. You cannot have a third political character until a military and pilot character are chosen. Therefore, you can't have three of the same type of character in a game with less than 7 people.

Thanks everyone. Thats really clear and now I now I have to play humble pie with my friends.

Also a great idea from Azuredarkness to use the succession list at the end of the book as a more definitive guide.

Cheers

Actually, not my idea. It's in the FAQ,which you want to first read, then have printed out and available during the game.