[DRAFT] Fair Voting (Proportional Representation) Act
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:56 pm
So, here goes, my first proposal.
Fair Voting (Proportional Representation) Act
A resolution to increase democratic freedoms.
RECOGNIZING the good work of R#130 (Elections and Assistance Act) in defining good electoral practice,
CONCERNED that plurality (or first-past-the-post) voting systems are fundamentally flawed because:
• Large political parties are often over-represented, while smaller parties are often under-representented or not represented at all
• Voters are encouraged to vote tactically, voting for whom they think is electable rather than whom that actually want to win office
• That many votes have no effect on the outcome of elections
• Results can be gerrymandered by changing the boundaries of constituencies for the benefit of larger political parties
THEREFORE REALISES that plurality voting systems are therefore undemocratic and unfit for purpose,
DECIDES:
• All single winner elections shall be decided using alternative vote (AV) rules,
• In all legislative elections for member states, the single transferable vote method of voting shall be used,
• In order to ensure proportionality, for parliamentary or legislative assembly elections in member states, constituencies shall elect 3 members or more,
• That the Robson Rotation be used to avoid donkey voting,
• In the event of a vacancy in a consistency, a single winner shall be elected using AV rules
MANDATES the OEA (Office for Electoral Assistance) to assist member states in implementation of electoral reform, including training of counting officers, and public information programs to explain electoral change,
AFFIRMS that this Act in no way dictates how many members any legislative assembly may need to represent the people, or affects member states that have a non-democratic system of government.
So what do people think? Comments, questions, and suggestions would be appreciated before I put it to the floor.
Fair Voting (Proportional Representation) Act
A resolution to increase democratic freedoms.
RECOGNIZING the good work of R#130 (Elections and Assistance Act) in defining good electoral practice,
CONCERNED that plurality (or first-past-the-post) voting systems are fundamentally flawed because:
• Large political parties are often over-represented, while smaller parties are often under-representented or not represented at all
• Voters are encouraged to vote tactically, voting for whom they think is electable rather than whom that actually want to win office
• That many votes have no effect on the outcome of elections
• Results can be gerrymandered by changing the boundaries of constituencies for the benefit of larger political parties
THEREFORE REALISES that plurality voting systems are therefore undemocratic and unfit for purpose,
DECIDES:
• All single winner elections shall be decided using alternative vote (AV) rules,
• In all legislative elections for member states, the single transferable vote method of voting shall be used,
• In order to ensure proportionality, for parliamentary or legislative assembly elections in member states, constituencies shall elect 3 members or more,
• That the Robson Rotation be used to avoid donkey voting,
• In the event of a vacancy in a consistency, a single winner shall be elected using AV rules
MANDATES the OEA (Office for Electoral Assistance) to assist member states in implementation of electoral reform, including training of counting officers, and public information programs to explain electoral change,
AFFIRMS that this Act in no way dictates how many members any legislative assembly may need to represent the people, or affects member states that have a non-democratic system of government.
So what do people think? Comments, questions, and suggestions would be appreciated before I put it to the floor.