If i hand in a blank Ballot during an election

Machjo

Machjo

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Oct 19, 2004
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petros said:
Vote for yourself.
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I don't think I'd want the job.

earth_as_one said:
I suppose. But spoiled ballots are also caused by people who can't following instructions.

We should be able to vote for none of the above. If none of the above wins, then the election has to run again with different people.
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The flaw in that system is that it could lead to an endless series of revotes. For that reason alone I'd oppose that solution.

In principle, I think a name ought to be chosen. One solution would be to include a blank space on each ballot where you can write in the name of whomever you think ought to win. As long as that person is clearly identifiable (put in his e-mail address, phone number, or some other unique identifier), then that vote ought to count in principle.

Of course even is we did that it would be almost guaranteed that the winner would be a person whose name was already on the ballot, as that's how most people would vote.

In principle though, should the unlikely event occur that someone whose name was not on the ballot did in fact win, then we'd have to treat it along the same lines as jury duty, whereby the person would have to actively decline the offer with good reason if he doesn't want it.

In the unlikely event that some person did win that way, well then you'd know you've found gold, a person the people could truly trust, who could win a plurality without his name ever having been printed on the ballot, with the people themselves having chosen him. How much more democratic could you get than to add a blank space on the ballot for the citizen of your choice.
 
Dexter Sinister

Dexter Sinister

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Oct 1, 2004
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Corduroy said:
But if he voted, who did he vote for?
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"None of the above." You could pencil that in too, which would also make it a spoiled ballot, or write in some other name and vote for that person, as Machjo indicated. Some jurisdictions allow the latter as a legitimate vote, so theoretically somebody who didn't even run could be elected. I'm pretty sure that in Canada that too would be a spoiled ballot, and also that it's illegal to counsel people to spoil their ballots. I wonder what level of spoiled ballots it'd take to cause alarm among politicians.
 
Machjo

Machjo

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Dexter Sinister said:
"None of the above." You could pencil that in too, which would also make it a spoiled ballot, or write in some other name and vote for that person, as Machjo indicated. Some jurisdictions allow the latter as a legitimate vote, so theoretically somebody who didn't even run could be elected. I'm pretty sure that in Canada that too would be a spoiled ballot, and also that it's illegal to counsel people to spoil their ballots. I wonder what level of spoiled ballots it'd take to cause alarm among politicians.
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I too have heard that some jurisdictions allow you to write in the name of anyone who can legally accept the mandate, though I'm not sure the process for ensuring the person is clearly identifiable among many with the same name.

But I agree that as a matter of principle in a democracy, a blank space ought to be added to all ballots whereby you'd be free to vote for whomever you wanted to. Quite honestly, I would likely exploit that opportunity to vote for locals who are well-known for their selfless contribution to the community. Some of them might be too shy to run, or just don't have the personality to slander and compete against others. Clearly it takes a certain ego to make a person run thinking he can solve our problems, so granting a blank space on a ballot could give some of the more down-to-earth a chance to win too, perhaps improving the quality of our elected politicians by getting rid of party hacks and ideologues, and instead putting in people who've proven that they care for their community.

In fact, that might be the way to raise voting standards. Many would likely come out to vote for community heroes who are always there helping others out rather than megalomaniacs.
 
P

polaris

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Jan 7, 2011
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I doubt it takes much imagination for a ballot counter on election night to mark a blank ballot. Inform yourself what the differences are and then make an informed choice....


Without information you will be influenced by advertising .... not facts.

Talk to people who you respect....parents, teachers professors... try to find someone who can see all sides and political views and can reason out the philosophical differences between the parties...

If the environment of the future is important to you there would be one party you would want to rule out completely.

AND FINALLY....IF YOU DON'T GET INFORMED.....PLEASE DON'T VOTE
 
Machjo

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
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polaris said:
I doubt it takes much imagination for a ballot counter on election night to mark a blank ballot. Inform yourself what the differences are and then make an informed choice....


Without information you will be influenced by advertising .... not facts.

Talk to people who you respect....parents, teachers professors... try to find someone who can see all sides and political views and can reason out the philosophical differences between the parties...

If the environment of the future is important to you there would be one party you would want to rule out completely.

AND FINALLY....IF YOU DON'T GET INFORMED.....PLEASE DON'T VOTE
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Sometimes it has nothing to do with not being informed, and everything to do with being informed. Last Federal election I did hand in a blank ballot, not because I did not know the candidates, but precisely because I'd made the effort to get to know them. I'd visited the campaign offices of those I could, contacted others, and of course refused to vote for the one who did not even have a afriggin' e-mail address (if she's that hard to get in touch with, how will I be able to bring issues up with her?).

In the end I'd almost voted for one particular candidate, but still ended up putting a blank ballot at the last minute. Did I do the right thing of not voting for him? I don't know. But what's done is done. Maybe I was too harsh on him and should have voted for him anyway. But again, I think adding a blank space to write in the name of your choice would go far to raise voting rates AND reduce spoilt ballots.
 
Retired_Can_Soldier

Retired_Can_Soldier

The End of the Dog is Coming!
Mar 19, 2006
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Johnnny said:
Does it still count as me voting? I think so but some people dont.


I just ask cause some old geezer made a big deal about it once in St Thomas when he overheard me say this to my friend at the pub.

Am i wasting the systems time by doing this as compared to not voting? Or am i doing my part as a voter?

Personally i dont like Harper, Ignatiaff sucks and layton who?But i want to have a say
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Well the only way you can have your say is to run.

And yes its a waste of paper. Thanks to you a tree died for nothing.
 
Tonington

Tonington

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Oct 27, 2006
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Corduroy said:
Why not?
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Because the definition of a vote doesn't necessitate a person as a choice. A vote is voicing your opinion democratically. If you think our electoral system sucks, you can spoil your ballot. Your vote is registered. Yes and no can be votes too.
 
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