DOCSLIB.ORG

'In the Sanctity of the Voting Booth'

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
'In the Sanctity of the Voting Booth' LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN ® ‘In the sanctity www.directorsandboards.com Editorial Advisory Board of the voting booth’ Robert H. Rock t a recent board meeting my fel- discussion and debate that can vary from Chairman, MLR Holdings low directors voted unanimously superficial to intense, the chair calls for a Chairman Ato approve management’s recom- vote, which is almost always unanimous. mendation to make a major investment in Sometimes a director may abstain or recuse Norman R. Augustine a new market. During the presentation, the himself because of a conflict of interest. Former Chairman and CEO directors asked many probing questions, Only in rare instances does a director vote Lockheed Martin Corp. suggesting significant concerns. After a ro- against the majority and ask that his vote bust discussion, a motion was put forward be recorded in the minutes. Yet, if every Robert L. Crandall and seconded, and the ayes appeared unan- vote is unanimous, should shareholders Former Chairman and CEO imous and no nays were noted. However, not wonder whether the board is exercising AMR Corp. in the executive session that followed the sufficient governance? formal board meeting, several directors Directors should vote the way they feel, Robert L. Dilenschneider voiced their objections, and one indicated and board votes should reflect and register Chairman her outright dissent. She “went along” with differences in opinions. On all the boards The Dilenschneider Group Inc. the majority’s support of top on which I have served, management. a secret ballot has never Bonnie W. Gwin Voting against manage- been used. If it had, would Managing Partner of the North America ment can be uncomfortable, it have changed any indi- Board of Directors Practice but this is not only an indi- vidual votes or maybe even Heidrick & Struggles vidual director’s prerogative outcomes? Perhaps. Would but also his duty. However, directors be more willing to Charles M. Elson a “public” vote does not al- register their true opinions Director ways encourage individual if voting were done in pri- John L. Weinberg Center directors to express fully vate? The custom and prac- for Corporate Governance their true opinions. An tice of open board voting University of Delaware open election process may may limit opposition and underscore the collegial na- dissent; thus, there may be Thomas P. Gerrity ture of board deliberation; times when a board should Professor and Former Dean however, it may also paper over board undertake a secret ballot. The Wharton School opposition and dissent. In 1948 the Communist Party was poised University of Pennsylvania Before the introduction of the secret bal- to win the Italian election. The Christian Ann McLaughlin Korologos lot in the late 19th century, countries such Democrats came up with the slogan: “In Former U.S. Secretary of Labor as England had an open system whereby the sanctity of the voting booth, Stalin votes were publicly recorded in poll books can’t see you, but God can,” which helped Susan R. Salka that showed how a person voted. In order them win a resounding victory. This year President and CEO to lessen the possibility for coercion and I have few if any friends who will openly AMN Healthcare Services Inc. intimidation, England, along with most admit they are voting for Donald Trump; other countries, instituted a secret system however, I suspect that in the sanctity of Russell E. Palmer of voting. In the U.S. the secret ballot has the voting booth, some, perhaps many, will Chairman and CEO become a pillar of our democracy. “hold their noses” and vote Republican. We The Palmer Group Could secret balloting, which helps to will know on November 8th whether our ensure the integrity of democratic elec- system of secret balloting will sway the Jeffrey A. Sonnenfeld tions, be valuable in the boardroom? In election away from Hillary Clinton, who Associate Dean, Executive Programs my experience, directors are not hesitant has held a commanding lead in the polls. Founder and CEO to voice their concerns; yet, when it comes Chief Executive Leadership Institute to the formal board vote, they sometimes Yale School of Management are reticent to register their dissent. After D & B is an international journal of corporate governance and leadership, directed to the interests of board members, chairmen, CEOs, senior officers, and advisers to the board. It was founded by Stanley Foster Reed in 1976. 4 DIRECTORS & BOARDS.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • Suppose You Want to Vote Strategically
    DONALD SAARI Suppose You Want to Vote Strategically e honest. There have been times when you voted strate- To check, suppose five voters prefer the candidates Anita, Bgically to try to force a personally better election result; Bonnie, and Candy in that order, denoted by ABC, six oth- I have. The role of manipulative behavior received brief ers prefer CBA, and the last four prefer ACB. While it doesnt attention during the 2000 US Presidential Primary Season seem like anything can go wrong, lets check. when the Governor of Michigan failed on his promise to • By voting for one candidate, the commonly used plural- deliver his states Republican primary vote for George Bush. ity system, Anita wins with a 60% landslide; the ACB out- His excuse was that the winner, John McCain, strategically come has the 9:6:0 tally. attracted cross-over votes of independents and Democrats. • Bonnie failed to receive a single plurality vote, yet she McCains strategy was just the accepted behavior of en- wins when each voter votes for her top two candidates couraging supporters who can vote, to vote. But lets pursue where the BCA outcome has the 11:10:9 tally. this issue further; lets question whether the power of math- • Candy? She wins with the procedure offering 5 and 4 ematics can help identify when and how you can strategically points, respectively, to a voters first and second choices; alter the election outcome of your fraternity, sorority, social the CAB outcome has a 46: 45: 44 tally. group, or department to force a personally better conclusion.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • Setting up Polling Place on Election
    ELECTION JUDGE/COORDINATOR HANDBOOK | GENERAL ELECTION 2020 CHAPTER 4 SETTING UP THE POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY ELECTION DAY - 5:00 AM TO 6:00 AM Chapter 5 includes step-by-step instructions on all the procedures you need to know to set up the polling place on Election 5 Day. Please review this chapter very carefully. You only have one hour on Election Day to set up and organize all the equipment and materials. IMPORTANT! Before you open the doors SETTING UP THE POLLING PLACE - STEP BY STEP to the polling place, you MUST do the Do you have all the materials and equipment? following: Review the diagram of the ESC in Chapter 4 on page 20 to see where materials and equipment are • Set up the e-poll books (see step 8). located. For a listing of Election Day materials and equipment, see the Supply List (Form 21) in the • Begin the update of the e-poll books by sleeve of the door of the ESC. 5:15 am. • Check the equipment is labeled for your Do you know what you need to do? precinct and ward. First, read the quick overview of all the procedures, steps #1-18. Then, go on to the detailed instructions for each of the steps starting on the next page. Rules for Election Coordinators & All Judges Quick Overview: Setting Up the Polling Place • You MUST report to the polling place by 5:00 am and no later. ❏ 1. Check the polling place for a portable ramp. • Let poll watchers with proper credentials ❏ 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Rhode Island Voter Information Handbook 2020 What’S in This Guide
    Voter Information Handbook A Guide to State Referenda and Voting Procedures in Rhode Island General Election November 3, 2020 B A L LO T B A L L O T Nellie M. Gorbea Secretary of State Be Voter Ready! Message from the Secretary BALLOT Dear Rhode Island Voter: As your Secretary of State, it is my responsibility to make sure you are able to exercise your right to vote safely and securely. The social Preview a sample ballot distancing practices that help us prevent the spread of COVID-19 Your choice of candidates depends have forced us to change many aspects of our lives but we can still on where you live. be united in casting our votes. I am sending you this guide to make it Locally, there are 21 communities in easy for you to be informed, be engaged, and be a voter in 2020. which you will be asked to approve or reject municipal ballot questions. As a Rhode Island voter, you have the power to help move our great You can see a sample of your local state forward. You have three options for safely and securely casting ballot by visiting the online Voter a ballot this year and this guide offers more information on each of Information Center at vote.ri.gov. these voting methods. I urge you to make your voice heard. If you have applied for a mail ballot, be sure to fill out your ballot and return it as quickly as possible (see page 5). Ballot Your guide also contains information about a very important state question you will see on your ballot.
    [Show full text]
  • Black Box Voting Report
    330 SW 43rd St Suite K PMB-547 Renton WA 98055 425-793-1030 – [email protected] http://www.blackboxvoting.org The Black Box Report SECURITY ALERT: July 4, 2005 Critical Security Issues with Diebold Optical Scan Design Prepared by: Harri Hursti [email protected] Special thanks to Kalle Kaukonen for pre-publication review On behalf of Black Box Voting, Inc. A nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501c(3) consumer protection group for elections Executive Summary The findings of this study indicate that the architecture of the Diebold Precinct-Based Optical Scan 1.94w voting system inherently supports the alteration of its basic functionality, and thus the alteration of the produced results each time an election is prepared. The fundamental design of the Diebold Precinct-Based Optical Scan 1.94w system (AV OS) includes the optical scan machine, with an embedded system containing firmware, and the removable media (memory card), which should contain only the ballot box, the ballot design and the race definitions, but also contains a living thing – an executable program which acts on the vote data. Changing this executable program on the memory card can change the way the optical scan machine functions and the way the votes are reported. The system won’t work without this program on the memory card. Whereas we would expect to see vote data in a sealed, passive environment, this system places votes into an open active environment. With this architecture, every time an election is conducted it is necessary to reinstall part of the functionality into the Optical Scan system via memory card, making it possible to introduce program functions (either authorized or unauthorized), either wholesale or in a targeted manner, with no way to verify that the certified or even standard functionality is maintained from one voting machine to the next.
    [Show full text]
  • Simple 10-Step Voting Guide 1. Sign-In with Election Workers to Receive Your Ballot. 2. Go to the Voting Booth and Remove Your B
    Simple 10-Step Voting Guide 1. Sign-in with election workers to receive your ballot. 2. Go to the voting booth and remove your ballot from the secrecy sleeve. 3. Using only the provided writing device, fill in the ovals next to the candidates and initiatives you want to vote for. Be certain to check the reverse side of the ballot. 4. If you wish to write-in a candidate, write the full name of the candidate in the lines provided. Then fill in the oval next to your write-in candidate's name. 5. For Primary Elections, vote for candidates in only one party. You may NOT split your ticket. This is NOT true in General Elections. You may vote for any political party/parties you chose. In other words, you may crossover your vote. 6. To ensure privacy, put your ballot back in its secrecy sleeve. 7. Walk to the voting machine and insert the top of the ballot without taking it out of the sleeve. The machine will automatically take the ballot. 8. If the voting device beeps, look in the LED window. It advises what problem was encountered with your ballot. Election Workers are available to assist you in solving the problem. 9. You might be asked if you want to complete a new ballot. You may choose to accept the ballot as is, but your vote in the race with the problem will not be counted. If you voted in the Primary Election for candidates in different parties, the entire candidate section of your ballot will not be counted.
    [Show full text]
  • Sample Type B Notice for Referendum
    FASCIMILE BALLOT NOTICE OF PALMYRA-EAGLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT ADVISORY REFERENDUM ELECTION NOVEMBER 5, 2019 OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT CLERK OF THE PALMYRA-EAGLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT TO THE ELECTORS OF THE PALMYRA-EAGLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT: Notice is hereby given of an advisory referendum election to be held in the Palmyra-Eagle Area School District, on the 5th day of November, 2019 at which the question(s), to be submitted to a vote for an advisory referendum, is shown in the sample ballot below. INFORMATION TO VOTERS Upon entering the polling place, a voter shall state his or her name and address, show an acceptable form of photo identification and sign the poll book before being permitted to vote. If a voter is not registered to vote, a voter may register to vote at the polling place serving his or her residence if the voter provides proof of residence in a form specified by law. Where ballots are distributed to voters, the initials of two inspectors must appear on the ballot. Upon being permitted to vote, the voter shall retire alone to a voting booth or machine and cast his or her ballot except that a voter who is a parent or guardian may be accompanied by the voter's minor child or minor ward. An election official may inform the voter of the proper manner for casting a vote, but the official may not in any manner advise or indicate a particular voting choice. On referenda questions when voting by paper ballot, the elector shall make a cross (X) in the square at the right of “yes” if in favor of the question, or the elector shall make a cross (X) in the square at the right of “no” if opposed to the question.
    [Show full text]
  • The Many Faces of Strategic Voting
    Revised Pages The Many Faces of Strategic Voting Strategic voting is classically defined as voting for one’s second pre- ferred option to prevent one’s least preferred option from winning when one’s first preference has no chance. Voters want their votes to be effective, and casting a ballot that will have no influence on an election is undesirable. Thus, some voters cast strategic ballots when they decide that doing so is useful. This edited volume includes case studies of strategic voting behavior in Israel, Germany, Japan, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom, providing a conceptual framework for understanding strategic voting behavior in all types of electoral systems. The classic definition explicitly considers strategic voting in a single race with at least three candidates and a single winner. This situation is more com- mon in electoral systems that have single- member districts that employ plurality or majoritarian electoral rules and have multiparty systems. Indeed, much of the literature on strategic voting to date has considered elections in Canada and the United Kingdom. This book contributes to a more general understanding of strategic voting behavior by tak- ing into account a wide variety of institutional contexts, such as single transferable vote rules, proportional representation, two- round elec- tions, and mixed electoral systems. Laura B. Stephenson is Professor of Political Science at the University of Western Ontario. John Aldrich is Pfizer- Pratt University Professor of Political Science at Duke University. André Blais is Professor of Political Science at the Université de Montréal. Revised Pages Revised Pages THE MANY FACES OF STRATEGIC VOTING Tactical Behavior in Electoral Systems Around the World Edited by Laura B.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • Guidance on Rules in Effect at the Polling Place on Election
    October 2016 GUIDANCE ON RULES IN EFFECT AT THE POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY The Department of State is committed to ensuring that elections run as smoothly and fairly as possible. The following document sets out the Department’s guidance regarding the laws and rules in effect at the polling place to help voters, elections officials, attorneys and watchers understand their respective roles, responsibilities and rights. We encourage county election officials and Boards of Elections to review this advice with your county solicitor. PERSONS EXPLICITLY PERMITTED IN THE POLLING PLACE The following persons are permitted in the polling place while voting is occurring: 1. Precinct Election Officials. These include the Judge of Election, the Inspectors (Majority and Minority), appointed clerks and machine operators. 2. Voters in the process of voting but no more than 10 voters at a time. Others waiting to vote must wait outside the area where voting is occurring. 3. Persons lawfully providing assistance to voters. 4. Poll watchers. Poll watchers are registered voters in the county who have been appointed by a party or candidate to observe at the precinct. One poll watcher per party and one poll watcher per candidate may be inside at any given time. Watchers must remain at least 6 feet away from the area where voting is occurring. 5. Overseers are registered voters of the precinct who may be appointed, upon petition, by all of the judges of the county Court of Common Pleas to supervise the election. 25 P.S. § 2685. Two per precinct may be appointed and they must belong to two different political parties.
    [Show full text]
  • Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Law, Ch. 49. Election Ordinance
    CHAPTER 49 STOCKBRIDGE-MUNSEE TRIBAL LAW ELECTION ORDINANCE In pursuit of impartial and equitable elections, the Stockbridge Munsee Community, pursuant to Article IV of its constitution and by-laws, hereby establishes through this ordinance the policies and procedures by which elections shall be conducted. Section 49.1 The Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Council shall appoint an Election Board at least forty-five (45) days prior to the scheduled election. The Election Board shall be composed of one (1) election judge, two (2) election clerks and one (1) election teller. In addition, the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Council shall appoint two (2) alternates to serve should the need arise. Section 49.2 It shall be the duty of the Election Board to conduct the election, including the caucus. All disputes arising out of the election process, including the caucus shall be resolved by the Election Board, except that where the tribal court may have authority to hear appeals. Section 49.3 On the third Saturday of September at 2:00 P.M., a caucus shall be held at one of the recognized and established meeting places for the community. A notice of the caucus shall be posted by the council secretary at least ten (10) days prior to the caucus. Copies of the notice shall be posted prominently within the community and the council secretary shall otherwise provide for its publication in the tribal newspaper, and other newspapers as may be necessary. Section 49.4 The caucus shall be conducted by the Election Board as follows: (A) The names of those eligible tribal members wishing to be nominated for office shall be provided to Election Board.
    [Show full text]