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Thunderball · 10-15-2008, 11:57 AM

To be perfectly honest, I don't think None of the Above or a Spoiled Ballot are effective means of electoral dialogue, as neither accomplish anything.

Pragmatically, N/A doesn't elect anyone. So what happens if the CPC candidate gets 30%, the Liberal gets 29% and the N/A box gets 35%? Does the CPC candidate win despite lacking a plurality? Did that riding just vote to have no representation? Or, does that riding have to have a by-election?

As well, if people in large numbers are so sure that the existing parties are full of morons, then why aren't they running as independents, forming new parties, or buttressing existing small parties, rather than staying home or scrawling "morons" on their ballot?

I'm opposed to preferential ballots... they have an unfortunate tendency of leading to someone few really wanted. See: Ed Stelmach. They're too complicated for the average voter, and lead to unwanted results.

Ex: 1st Ballot Choice: CPC 45, Lib 28, NDP 27
NDP Voter Second Choice: 23 to Lib, 4 to CPC
Final Tally: Lib 51, CPC 49

(low numbers for simplicity)

The majority wanted the CPC as their first choice and only 28 wanted the Liberals. Because most NDP voters would rather Liberal than Conservative, those second votes trumped the CPC. Essentially, the Liberals got two votes, once for their own, and then from the NDP run-off.

10-15-2008, 11:57 AM	#71
Thunderball Franchise Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Calgary, AB Exp:	To be perfectly honest, I don't think None of the Above or a Spoiled Ballot are effective means of electoral dialogue, as neither accomplish anything. Pragmatically, N/A doesn't elect anyone. So what happens if the CPC candidate gets 30%, the Liberal gets 29% and the N/A box gets 35%? Does the CPC candidate win despite lacking a plurality? Did that riding just vote to have no representation? Or, does that riding have to have a by-election? As well, if people in large numbers are so sure that the existing parties are full of morons, then why aren't they running as independents, forming new parties, or buttressing existing small parties, rather than staying home or scrawling "morons" on their ballot? I'm opposed to preferential ballots... they have an unfortunate tendency of leading to someone few really wanted. See: Ed Stelmach. They're too complicated for the average voter, and lead to unwanted results. Ex: 1st Ballot Choice: CPC 45, Lib 28, NDP 27 NDP Voter Second Choice: 23 to Lib, 4 to CPC Final Tally: Lib 51, CPC 49 (low numbers for simplicity) The majority wanted the CPC as their first choice and only 28 wanted the Liberals. Because most NDP voters would rather Liberal than Conservative, those second votes trumped the CPC. Essentially, the Liberals got two votes, once for their own, and then from the NDP run-off. Last edited by Thunderball; 10-15-2008 at 11:59 AM.