Secret Ballots and the Promotion of Democratic Ideals: Strategic Structure and Normative Justification”1
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AC Compulsory Voting
Cy-Fair HS Novice Affirmative Case Sept.-Oct 2013- Compulsory Voting “The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.” Because I agree with these words of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, I stand firmly Resolved: In a democracy, voting ought to be compulsory. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, ought is defined as implying obligation or advisability. Compulsory voting is defined as a system in which electors are obliged to vote in elections or attend a polling place on voting day. If an eligible voter does not attend a polling place, he or she may be subJect to punitive measures.. The value that the affirmative defends is governmental legitimacy. Since a legitimate government must fulfill its obligations to it’s people, a legitimate democracy must strive to be consistent with its core ideals. Thus, the criteria is being consistent with the fundamental characteristics of democracy. As defined in his book Democracy and It’s Critics, Robert Dahl explains that in addition to the concept of “one-person-one-vote”, democracies have four distinguishing characteristics: 1. Effective participation 2. Enlightened understanding of issues 3. Control of the political agenda 4. Inclusiveness Whichever debater’s position is most consistent with these characteristics is being most consistent with democratic legitimacy and should win the debate. 1 Cy-Fair HS Novice Affirmative Case Sept.-Oct 2013- Compulsory Voting My single contention is that compulsory voting is most consistent with the fundamental characteristics of democracy. -
Introduction Voting In-Person Through Physical Secret Ballot
CL 166/13 – Information Note 1 – April 2021 Alternative Voting Modalities for Election by Secret Ballot Introduction 1. This note presents an update on the options for alternative voting modalities for conducting a Secret Ballot at the 42nd Session of the Conference. At the Informal Meeting of the Independent Chairperson with the Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of the Regional Groups on 18 March 2021, Members identified two possible, viable options to conduct a Secret Ballot while holding the 42nd Conference in virtual modality. Namely, physical in-person voting and an online voting system. A third option of voting by postal correspondence was also presented to the Chairpersons and Vice- chairpersons for their consideration. 2. These options have since been further elaborated in Appendix B of document CL 166/13 Arrangements for the 42nd Session of the Conference, for Council’s consideration at its 166th Session under item 13 of its Agenda. During discussions under item 13, Members not only sought further information on the practicalities of adopting one of the aforementioned options but also introduced a further alternative voting option: a hybrid of in-person and online voting. 3. In aiming to facilitate a more informed decision by Members, this note provides additional information on the previously identified voting options on which Members have already received preliminary information, and introduces the possibility of a hybrid voting option by combining in- person and online voting to create a hybrid option. 4. This Information Note further adds information on the conduct of a roll call vote through the Zoom system. Such a vote will be required at the beginning of the Conference for the endorsement of the special procedures outlined in Appendix A under item 3, Adoption of the Agenda and Arrangements for the Session, following their consideration by the General Committee of the Conference at its first meeting. -
Why Ballot Selfies Are Protected by the First Amendment
Science and Technology Law Review Volume 18 Number 3 Article 3 2015 A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words: Why Ballot Selfies are Protected by the First Amendment Daniel A. Horwitz Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.smu.edu/scitech Recommended Citation Daniel A. Horwitz, A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words: Why Ballot Selfies are Protected by the First Amendment, 18 SMU SCI. & TECH. L. REV. 247 (2015) https://scholar.smu.edu/scitech/vol18/iss3/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Journals at SMU Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Science and Technology Law Review by an authorized administrator of SMU Scholar. For more information, please visit http://digitalrepository.smu.edu. A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words: Why Ballot Selfies are Protected by the First Amendment Daniel A. Horwitz* On September 9, 2014, Andrew Langlois walked into his polling place disgusted with the candidates who were running for U.S. Senate in the New Hampshire Republican Primary., Rather than voting for one of the ten candi- dates who appeared on his ballot, Mr. Langlois instead decided to vote for "his recently-deceased dog, 'Akira,'" whom he selected as a write-in candi- date.2 Thereafter, Mr. Langlois whipped out his smartphone, snapped a photo of his completed ballot, and posted the photo to his Facebook page along with the caption: "Because all of the candidates SUCK, I did a write-in of Akira."3 Unfortunately for Mr. Langlois, the election did not go his way. -
Randomocracy
Randomocracy A Citizen’s Guide to Electoral Reform in British Columbia Why the B.C. Citizens Assembly recommends the single transferable-vote system Jack MacDonald An Ipsos-Reid poll taken in February 2005 revealed that half of British Columbians had never heard of the upcoming referendum on electoral reform to take place on May 17, 2005, in conjunction with the provincial election. Randomocracy Of the half who had heard of it—and the even smaller percentage who said they had a good understanding of the B.C. Citizens Assembly’s recommendation to change to a single transferable-vote system (STV)—more than 66% said they intend to vote yes to STV. Randomocracy describes the process and explains the thinking that led to the Citizens Assembly’s recommendation that the voting system in British Columbia should be changed from first-past-the-post to a single transferable-vote system. Jack MacDonald was one of the 161 members of the B.C. Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform. ISBN 0-9737829-0-0 NON-FICTION $8 CAN FCG Publications www.bcelectoralreform.ca RANDOMOCRACY A Citizen’s Guide to Electoral Reform in British Columbia Jack MacDonald FCG Publications Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Copyright © 2005 by Jack MacDonald All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system, now known or to be invented, without permission in writing from the publisher. First published in 2005 by FCG Publications FCG Publications 2010 Runnymede Ave Victoria, British Columbia Canada V8S 2V6 E-mail: [email protected] Includes bibliographical references. -
The Effects of Secret Voting Procedures on Political Behavior
UC San Diego UC San Diego Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title Voting Alone: The Effects of Secret Voting Procedures on Political Behavior Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/50p7t4xg Author Guenther, Scott Publication Date 2016 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO Voting Alone: The Effects of Secret Voting Procedures on Political Behavior A Dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science by Scott M. Guenther Committee in charge: Professor James Fowler, Chair Professor Samuel Kernell, Co-Chair Professor Julie Cullen Professor Seth Hill Professor Thad Kousser 2016 Copyright Scott M. Guenther, 2016 All rights reserved. The Dissertation of Scott M. Guenther is approved, and it is acceptable in quality and form for publication on microfilm and electronically: Co-Chair Chair University of California, San Diego 2016 iii DEDICATION To my parents. iv EPIGRAPH Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead. { Benjamin Franklin v TABLE OF CONTENTS Signature Page................................... iii Dedication...................................... iv Epigraph......................................v Table of Contents.................................. vi List of Figures................................... viii List of Tables.................................... ix Acknowledgements.................................x Vita........................................ -
Vote-Selling: Infrastructure and Public Services Nat Adojutelegan Walden University
Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Vote-Selling: Infrastructure and Public Services Nat Adojutelegan Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Law Commons, and the Public Policy Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Nat Adojutelegan has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Richard DeParis, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Bethe Hagens, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Lynn Wilson, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 Abstract Vote-Selling: Infrastructure and Public Services by Nathaniel Adojutelegan LLM, University of Wolverhampton, 1997 PGDip, London Guildhall University, UK, 1997 LLB, University of Wolverhampton, 1995 BS, University of Benin, Nigeria, 1987 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Public Administration Walden University February 2018 Abstract Vote-selling in Nigeria pervades and permeates the electoral space, where it has become the primary instrument of electoral fraud. Previous research has indicated a strong correlation between vote-buying and underinvestment and poor delivery of public services. -
Georgia Draft Opinion on the Draft Revised Constitution
Strasbourg, 22 September 2017 CDL-PI(2017)006 Opinion 876 / 2017 Engl. only EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR DEMOCRACY THROUGH LAW (VENICE COMMISSION) GEORGIA DRAFT OPINION ON THE DRAFT REVISED CONSTITUTION AS ADOPTED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF GEORGIA AT THE SECOND READING ON 23 JUNE 2017 on the basis of comments by: Mr Nicos C. ALIVIZATOS (Member, Greece) Mr Josep Maria CASTELLA ANDREU (Member, Spain) Mr Michael FRENDO (Member, Malta) Ms Regina KIENER (Member, Switzerland) This document will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy. www.venice.coe.int CDL-PI(2017)006 - 2 - Contents I. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3 II. Preliminary Remarks ..................................................................................................... 4 III. Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 5 A. Parliament of Georgia: election system and financial powers .................................... 5 B. President of Georgia .................................................................................................. 8 C. Fundamental Human Rights ...................................................................................... 9 D. Judiciary and prosecutor’s office .............................................................................. 10 E. Public Defender ...................................................................................................... -
DRAFT AMENDMENT (No
STATES OF JERSEY r DRAFT AMENDMENT (No. 21) OF THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE STATES OF JERSEY Lodged au Greffe on 3rd June 2013 by the Privileges and Procedures Committee STATES GREFFE 2013 Price code: C P.65 DRAFT AMENDMENT (No. 21) OF THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE STATES OF JERSEY REPORT These amendments to Standing Orders make 3 unrelated changes to the current procedures of the States. Extending the minimum lodging period for a draft Budget Amendment 2 is brought forward at the request of the Minister for Treasury and Resources, and amends current Standing Order 26 in relation to the minimum lodging period required for a draft Budget. At present, in common with most ministerial propositions, a draft Budget only needs to be lodged for a 6 week period. Although, in practice, the Minister for Treasury and Resources does lodge the draft Budget for a longer period, this amendment formalises an 8 week minimum lodging period. There is no change to the 2 week lodging period required for an amendment to the Budget and, as a result, members will not be prejudiced in any way by the change. The longer lodging period is intended to provide enough time for the Annual Report of the Fiscal Policy Panel to be considered by States Members in advance of the deadline for amendments to the Budget. Since the introduction of the 3 year Medium Financial Plan, the debate on the Budget has become the occasion for the annual approval of individual capital projects, the allocation of growth expenditure, as well as the debate on taxation measures. -
¿Quién Vota? Compulsory Voting and the Persistence of Class Bias In
¿Quien´ Vota? Compulsory Voting and the Persistence of Class Bias in Latin America Yanilda Gonzalez´ Steven A. Snell Harvard Kennedy School Duke University yanilda [email protected] [email protected] August 31, 2015 Abstract Universal suffrage does not guarantee universal participation. Scholars diagnose the dis- parity in turnout between rich and poor as an important democratic deficit and propose com- pulsory voting as a key institutional remedy. While countries with compulsory have higher turnout rates, it is unclear whether compulsory voting meaningfully alleviates inequality in turnout. The present work examines the extent to which compulsory voting mitigates the class bias common to voter turnout. We draw on evidence from Latin America, a region character- ized by widespread compulsory voting laws and high economic inequality. We demonstrate that compulsory voting results in higher turnout only when enforced and that the gains in turnout are primarily among the poor. We also find, however, that unequal turnout persists even under strict compulsory voting systems. We further demonstrate that disadvantaged cit- izens are less likely to vote in countries with strict enforcement of compulsory voting rules due to structural barriers that disproportionately affect the poor, such as a voter identification requirement, as opposed to political disinterest. 1 Universal suffrage does not guarantee universal participation. For almost a century, political observers have shown that enfranchised citizens occasionally or even routinely abstain from voting. The earliest explorations of abstention (e.g., Arneson 1925; Merriam & Gosnell 1924) highlight that certain groups of citizens are more likely than others to abstain, thereby rendering election outcomes potentially unrepresentative of the citizenry. -
Political Knowledge and the Paradox of Voting
Political Knowledge and the Paradox of Voting Edited by Sofia Magdalena Olofsson We have long known that Americans pay local elections less attention than they do elections for the Presidency and Congress. A recent Portland State University study showed that voter turnout in ten of America’s 30 largest cities sits on average at less than 15% of eligible voters. Just pause and think about this. The 55% of voting age citizens who cast a ballot in last year’s presidential election – already a two-decade low and a significant drop from the longer-term average of 65-80% – still eclipses by far the voter turnout at recent mayoral elections in Dallas (6%), Fort Worth (6%), and Las Vegas (9%). What is more, data tells us that local voter turnout is only getting worse. Look at America’s largest city: New York. Since the 1953 New York election, when 93% of residents voted, the city’s mayoral contests saw a steady decline, with a mere 14% of the city’s residents voting in the last election. Though few might want to admit it, these trends suggest that an unspoken hierarchy exists when it comes to elections. Atop this electoral hierarchy are national elections, elections that are widely considered the most politically, economically, and culturally significant. Extensively covered by the media, they are viewed as high-stakes moral contests that naturally attract the greatest public interest. Next, come state elections: though still important compared to national elections, their political prominence, media coverage, and voter turnout is already waning. At the bottom of this electoral hierarchy are local elections that, as data tells us, a vast majority of Americans now choose not to vote in. -
"I Voted": Examining the Impact of Compulsory Voting on Voter Turnout Nina A
Claremont Colleges Scholarship @ Claremont CMC Senior Theses CMC Student Scholarship 2016 "I Voted": Examining the Impact of Compulsory Voting on Voter Turnout Nina A. Kamath Claremont McKenna College Recommended Citation Kamath, Nina A., ""I Voted": Examining the Impact of Compulsory Voting on Voter Turnout" (2016). CMC Senior Theses. Paper 1286. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/1286 This Open Access Senior Thesis is brought to you by Scholarship@Claremont. It has been accepted for inclusion in this collection by an authorized administrator. For more information, please contact [email protected]. CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE “I VOTED”: EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF COMPULSORY VOTING ON VOTER TURNOUT SUBMITTED TO Professor Manfred Keil AND Professor Eric Helland AND Dean Peter Uvin By Nina Kamath For Senior Thesis Fall 2015 November 30, 2015 Department of Economics ii iii Abstract Over the past few decades, falling voter turnout rates have induced governments to adopt compulsory voting laws, in order to mitigate issues such as the socioeconomic voter gap and to bring a broader spectrum of voters into the fold. This paper presents evidence that the introduction of mandatory voting laws increases voter turnout rates by 13 points within a particular country through an entity- and time-fixed effect panel model. Moreover, it includes a discussion of the implications of adopting mandatory voting policies within the United States, finding that compelling citizens to vote would have increased participation rates to over 90 percent in the past four presidential elections. iv Acknowledgements First, I want to thank my parents for their unconditional love, support, and encouragement. I would also like to thank Professor Manfred Keil, Associate Professor of Economics at Claremont McKenna College, for his valuable guidance and support in completing this senior thesis. -
Compulsory Voting and Political Participation: Empirical Evidence from Austria
A Service of Leibniz-Informationszentrum econstor Wirtschaft Leibniz Information Centre Make Your Publications Visible. zbw for Economics Gaebler, Stefanie; Potrafke, Niklas; Rösel, Felix Working Paper Compulsory voting and political participation: Empirical evidence from Austria ifo Working Paper, No. 315 Provided in Cooperation with: Ifo Institute – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich Suggested Citation: Gaebler, Stefanie; Potrafke, Niklas; Rösel, Felix (2019) : Compulsory voting and political participation: Empirical evidence from Austria, ifo Working Paper, No. 315, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, Munich This Version is available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/213592 Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen: Terms of use: Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Documents in EconStor may be saved and copied for your Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden. personal and scholarly purposes. Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle You are not to copy documents for public or commercial Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich purposes, to exhibit the documents publicly, to make them machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen. publicly available on the internet, or to distribute or otherwise use the documents in public. Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, If the documents have