After watching events over the last week – there is a case of doing away with voting and going straight to red-hot pokers. However, as a better people, we will endure to change the system for the better, by argument.
Voting is a freedom that allows someone to help determine the future of the country. I always take a second before marking my cross just to contemplate the potential gravity of the decision. I would be surprised if this isn’t common.
There is no requirement to vote, it is a freedom to do so. If it isn’t a freedom then you’re a subject to the country and not free within it. It is not a freedom if it is mandated.
For all the benefits of technology I still believe the simple process of putting that mark on the piece of paper and having it manually counted is probably the most secure system there will be, and as far as I’m aware there’s never been an issue of corruption in the counting and that it can be trusted. I see no reason to change that process.
Modern central government, with vast control (and best practice policies) over local levels makes voting almost pointless in all but general elections. This leads to those elections being about protest votes.
Postal voting
Postal voting has been a disaster. It is certain that elections are being won fraudulently in this country using it. It is a method of voting that needs all but phasing out. There should only be very rare circumstances where a postal vote is allowed. This is one area where spending extra money would be useful.
For those unable to go to voting booths on the day, other ways should be organised. My main idea is that visits are made by two officials with mobile booths to ensure that a vote is carried out in private on-site.
Voting ID
If people are allowed to own their own data then it should be possible to create a voter ID card that allows very specific access to confirm who the person is etc etc. The card can register biometric data ensuring you are able to vote and are voting in the correct place, at which point you are handed a paper voting slip as usual and you’re then allowed to vote in private and post it into the correct ballot box.
A voter ID card would have no authorised use beyond this one particular instance.
Referendums
Referendum may be the way forward for deciding on defence and road spending levels etc, etc. This will allow people to be better able to cast their vote on a very narrow set of issues so that it is easier to ensure the government the country wants. This would also be replicated with the lower councils voting on specific areas whether you would want referendums on levels of police funding etc etc that is a topic for further exploration.
Method of voting
There are several voting systems in elections.
I believe that any candidate should be directly elected by a constituency. That is the only way you can guarantee you can vote someone out. Therefore any method where candidates are elected from lists allows for more cronyism, and in popular parties, a nose in the trough for life. So it’s a no to PR from me.
The two main ways to elect a candidate directly are the first past the posts system in which the highest vote wins, or alternative vote systems where the lowest vote(s) are removed and their next preferred candidates have them shared out, until one candidate reaches the required threshold. It is the difference between a positive vote & a negative vote. For all the downsides, first past the post is the best solution.
Policies
- Almost no postal voting.
- Employ people to go around to ensure a private vote, where a postal vote had been granted before.
- First past the post systems.
- Voter ID system – probably a card.
- Limited referendums for a narrow range of decisions.
Next up – You owe it to yourselves to read this: Part 12 – Debt
© Jerry Mandarin 2022