How can I control a dropdown's visible text's position?

Answer 1

This is browser-dependent behaviour. Each browser applies css to form controls differently.

The best breakdown of what you can do (that I've come across) is at http://www.456bereastreet.com/archive/200701/styling_form_controls_with_css_revisited/. And the most relevant section is http://www.456bereastreet.com/lab/styling-form-controls-revisited/select-single/

Answer 2

In your case it would be better to use a custom element that acts like a select box.

Here is a nice one using jQuery

Select Box replacement