Voting system affects outcome, simulation finds

Voting system affects outcome, simulation finds

A simulated election that examined different voting methods during last week's Ontario election shows that for at least some voters, how they cast their ballot depends on the voting system presented to them. --->>>

Voting alternatives discussed as Ontario election approaches

Voting alternatives discussed as Ontario election approaches

U of M researchers' virtual election simulation examines alternative and proportional models, excludes mixed-member proportional

TORONTO (CUP) — As the Ontario provincial election approaches, a team of researchers are offering alternatives to the current voting system in an online election simulator. --->>>

N.B. political, legislative reforms proposed (CBC)

N.B. political, legislative reforms proposed

New Brunswick should revamp some of its oldest legislative and political traditions in an effort to re-engage citizens in democracy and give a voice to smaller parties, according to a new report.

Don Desserud, a political scientist at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John and Cody Waite, a graduate student at the University of New Brunswick, authored a 66-page report to be released Friday in Fredericton. --->>>

UK general election system broken, says think-tank - BBC

UK general election system broken, says think-tank

The Institute for Public Policy Research said the UK had a "broken" electoral system, unable to cope with the rise of minor parties. --->>>

The need to rebuild identity integrity and democratic accountability - When IT Meets Politics

The need to rebuild identity integrity and democratic accountability - When IT Meets Politics
A blog about UK politics and the information society
By Philip Virgo on July 23, 2010 8:31 AM

"I have just read the report of the Association of Electoral Administrators on the future of electoral administration in the UK. We may be about to have a long overdue referendum on the choice between "first past the post" and casting our votes in order of preference (the alternative vote). But it is far more important to cleanse the UK election system, from the initial register to the processes for exposing and prosecuting malpractice and fraud (as in the stealing of local government elections). " --->>>

Voting reform question for May referendum unveiled | Politics | The Guardian

Voting reform question for May referendum unveiled | Politics | The Guardian

The parliamentary voting system and constituencies bill published today revealed voters will be asked: "Do you want the United Kingdom to adopt the 'alternative vote' system instead of the current 'first past the post' system for electing members of parliament to the House of Commons?" --->>>

Referendum on voting reform will be held in May - UK Politics, UK - The Independent

Referendum on voting reform will be held in May - UK Politics, UK - The Independent

Referendum on voting reform will be held in May

A referendum on whether to change Britain's first-past-the-post electoral system will be held next May, Nick Clegg will announce next week.

The Liberal Democrats secured the promise of an historic public vote as part of their coalition agreement with the Conservatives when the May election resulted in a hung parliament.

Since then, the two parties have been negotiating the timing of the referendum. Mr Clegg has been pressing for an early vote next May to coincide with elections to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and English councils. --->>>

Opinion Former Briefing: Electoral Reform - politics.co.uk

Opinion Former Briefing: Electoral Reform - politics.co.uk

A large majority of voters would back a move to proportional representation (PR) a poll revealed earlier today.

The poll, commissioned from ComRes by the Independent shows that 78% of voters believe the current electoral system should be replaced by a "system that reflects more accurately the proportion of votes cast for each party". --->>>

Calif. voters overhaul primary election system: The Associated Press

The Associated Press: Calif. voters overhaul primary election system

The passage of Proposition 14 on Tuesday gave the nation's most populous state an open primary in which voters can cast ballots for any candidate. --->>>

eGov monitor - A Policy Dialogue Platform | Promoting Better Governance

eGov monitor - A Policy Dialogue Platform | Promoting Better Governance

Britain needs electoral reform but what is the best alternative? Phil McCarvill from ippr lays out why the Additional Member System is most suited to the UK context. --->>>

e-voting - The solution to election woes? - eGov monitor

e-voting - The solution to election woes? - eGov monitor

The Virgin Media Business 2010 E-Politics Online Study has found that the public are increasingly in support of an alternative ballot system. So is e-voting a solution to the mess we had on election day? Lee Hull explores. --->>>

UK: Electoral Reform: The British Public Must Be Given The Chance To Choose A Genuinely Fair Electoral System

Electoral Reform: The British Public Must Be Given The Chance To Choose A Genuinely Fair Electoral System

There is a definite need for electoral reform but all choices must be explored says the independent think tank ippr as it suggests Additional Member System (AMS) would make our elections fairer.

In a new report published today, the report's author, Dr Phil McCarvill, a Visiting Research Fellow at ippr, believes the debate on electoral reform so far has been very narrow confined within three specific options - Alternative Vote (AV), Alternative Vote Plus (AV+) and Single Transferable Vote (STV).

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Britons Want Changes to Voting System: Angus Reid Global Monitor

Britons Want Changes to Voting System: Angus Reid Global Monitor

People in Britain are in favour of implementing specific guidelines to modernize the country’s voting system, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 73 per cent of respondents support counting ballots electronically, instead of by hand.

In addition, 71 per cent of respondents are in favour of using an electronic ballot marking device (such as a touch screen) instead of a paper ballot. --->>>

Chilean President Pinera Proposes Changes To Electoral System

Chilean President Pinera Proposes Changes To Electoral System

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera wants to revise the country's electoral system to incorporate automatic voter registration and voluntary voting, he said Friday.

Currently, the law dictates that voter registration is voluntary but, once registered, citizens must vote or be subject to hefty fines.

He called the electoral reform bill "an effort to modernize and strengthen our democracy."

The legislation, which the government will send to Congress next week, aims to incorporate 4 million new voters, many of them under 25 years old, who have not registered for recent elections.

In the January 2010 runoff presidential election won by Pinera, 7.2 million Chileans voted, although nearly 8 million were registered. A total of 12 million, out of the country's population of around 16 million, are over 18 years old and eligible to vote.

"The voluntary vote will bring those 4 million potential voters that aren't motivated to vote," Pinera said. ...>>>

UK: E-vote enthusiasts likely to be disappointed

E-vote enthusiasts likely to be disappointed

Anybody hoping that the election night chaos at many polling stations - when hundreds were turned away without voting - would bring electronic voting closer are likely to be disappointed.

The Electoral Commission investigation into the fiasco, to be published within days, is focusing purely on what went wrong on the night - rather than on alternatives to putting a cross on a ballot paper.

Furthermore, the commission accepts that widespread e-voting cannot happen until individual registration is introduced nationwide, which is not due to happen until 2015. --->>>

AFN National Chief Welcomes Release of Senate Report on First Nations Elections and Looks Forward to Future Progress

AFN National Chief Welcomes Release of Senate Report on First Nations Elections and Looks Forward to Future Progress

The Senate Committee's report identified a number of areas where the Indian Act has been counter-productive to effective governance, including an imposed two-year limit on terms in office and a cumbersome appeals process. The report strongly recommended passing control over the design and execution of leadership selection to First Nations communities over the next 10-15 years.

"This report recognizes that the key to improving First Nations elections systems and citizen-centred accountability lies in fully recognizing First Nations jurisdiction over the design and control of our election codes. We would like to build on the recommendations contained in this report and discuss ways we can support the capacity of our nations to re-build their own systems of governing," said National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. --->>>

Australia: Electoral Commission to use tech for engagement

Electoral Commission to use tech for engagement

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has flagged that it will adopt a raft of new recommendations aimed at assisting it to harness technology to modernise processes and engage more effectively with voters.

The recommendations, from the Report of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) 'Report on the conduct of the 2007 federal election and matters related thereto' will cost $5.7 million, according to the AEC. --->>>

How proportional representation would have changed the general election 2010 result | News | guardian.co.uk

How proportional representation would have changed the general election 2010 result | News | guardian.co.uk

New data shows how the election results would look different under proportional representation. --->>>

Voting system review demanded by Electoral Commission | Politics | The Guardian

Voting system review demanded by Electoral Commission | Politics | The Guardian

The head of the electoral watchdog tonight called for urgent parliamentary time to reform the voting system in the wake of last week's problems at the polls which excluded thousands of would-be voters.

Jenny Watson, who chairs the Electoral Commission, has launched an inquiry into what went wrong at several polling stations and is appealing for people who were affected to come forward to give evidence. She promised to report back within 10 days. --->>>

Forum looks at ‘why people aren’t voting’ - thestar.com

Forum looks at ‘why people aren’t voting’ - thestar.com:

Online voting, the party system, term limits, lowering the voting age — everything was on the table at Better Ballots’ first town hall meeting Tuesday night.

“We have to look at why people aren’t voting,” said Desmond Cole, a member of the Better Ballots’ working group.

About 25 people — including three municipal candidates — took part in the group’s first of four public forums to address the issue of electoral reform in Toronto’s municipal elections.

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