As I live in the only Liberal riding in Saskatchewan or Alberta, I seriously wonder how I can prevent this riding from going Conservative. It’s not been hard to vote Green in the past, I was in ridings that had no chance of anything other than electing yet another Conservative MP. This time is different because my vote might actually make a difference in Ralph Goodale’s riding.
Is there any way to legally trade votes with a willing Liberal in another part of the country, especially where a Green nominee might be able to defeat all other contenders? Is it worth setting up a “Virtual Proportional Representation” system online, allowing voters to organize a coordinated effort to correct problems introduced by First Past The Post, and at the same time keep the Conservatives from winning the election?
@hotmail.com
![[EFC Blue Ribbon - Free Speech Online]](http://www.efc.ca/images/efcfreet.gif)
Louise | 08-Sep-08 at 8:45 am | Permalink
There’s a much simpler way that would actually maintain the rights of citizens within the constituency. They do this in several countries, the one I’m most familiar with is France. That way is to have runoff elections in those ridings where no candidate has achieved a clear majority.
Any party or candidate that garnered less that the number of votes necessary to make the difference (to put the leader into a majority position) are dropped off the ballot. I suppose they could keep doing this until a clear winner is chosen. I think it’s good, because I think most voters have a second choice in mind. The only drawback, is voter turnout the second time around tends to be very low.
The runoff elections can be held a couple of weeks after the main election to give time for recounts and the necessary organizational work to be done.
You’re suggestion, frankly, is quite undemocratic, since it discounts the wishes of the local electorate. For a small “L” liberal, though, that doesn’t surprise me.
Louise | 08-Sep-08 at 8:50 am | Permalink
There’s actually several variations of it: described better than I did.
Travis | 08-Sep-08 at 5:47 pm | Permalink
I would say don’t worry and vote Green. The idea that Goodale is going to be beat this election is somewhat amusing to me. If Goodale who was at the center of a political storm in the last election and with polls showing he would not be a cabinet minister but still received 51% of the vote then I have a hard time thinking the Conservatives are going to pull off a win here. They certainly have a chance to gain some votes but beating Goodale is not something I see happening but if you are unsure and don’t want to risk it why not go door knocking with Goodale and get a sense of how the riding will go? If it seems like it will be close then think about your voting plan some more but if it is not going to be close then vote Green.
Saskboy | 08-Sep-08 at 5:56 pm | Permalink
That’s not a bad idea Travis, I may see about door knocking some weekend soon.
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Louise, you’re one to talk about being concerned about democracy. You’re probably giddy that May’s excluded from the debates? When the system is broken and cheats, you can’t win if you play by their rules.
Dillon | 08-Sep-08 at 7:16 pm | Permalink
Even if trading votes was legal, there would be no way to guarantee that the other person votes according to the agreement.
PR is the way to go.
Eric Finley | 09-Sep-08 at 2:08 pm | Permalink
The idea with trading votes is that it’s an immediate and achievable step which does not require systemic reform. The conversation about electoral reform is moderately well advanced in Canada - except among the primary parties. Certain structural issues (such as a certain regional party which benefits disproportionately from FPTP) make it an uphill climb.
Saskboy, last time I looked into it, the legality of vote-swapping programs had not been tested at the Federal level in Canada yet. I’m all for it - alas, since I’m in Kilgour’s old riding, for me it’s also swap-with-a-liberal if I can find a partner.
I say go for it! My email’s attached to this post - let me know if you do set up such a thing.
Saskboy | 09-Sep-08 at 11:47 pm | Permalink
I’m still considering it Eric. It will require a website, and some way to gauge the trustworthiness of those offering to trade votes in good faith since we have secret ballots.