- Target:
- The Irish Electorate
- Region:
- Ireland
I have noted with great regret the apparent apathy and disillusionment of the Irish electorate. Many voters feel disenfranchised and have the impression that their vote doesn’t matter. I would like to suggest a potential remedy.
As well as voting for a candidate, placing a number in the box of a candidate voters approve off, they could also vote against candidate’s they disapprove off. I propose the option of placing an X in the box off a candidate a voter actively disapproves off. I believe this option would re-enthuse the electorate by allowing them a quantifiable method of expressing not only their approval off candidates’ but, equally importantly, their disapproval off them.
I believe such an option would not only strengthen the democratic process but increase voter turnout. Many who lack the interest to approve of candidates would, I believe by happy to go to the polls to disapprove of them.
The negative votes need not be published with the election results but could be published shortly afterwards.
I would suggest that Democracy would be better served if as well as putting a number next to a candidate’s name, or leaving the box blank, a voter could place an X in the box of a candidate they did NOT want to vote for. Many voters feel suspicious of leaving a box blank, or feel that leaving a box blank does not adequately express their feelings Such a move would:
• Assuage such doubts as voters might have.
• Re-invigorate the interest and enthusiasm of the electorate.
• Give valuable feedback to candidate’s, political parties and to the electorate as to the popularity of candidate’s/parties.
In this way the electorate could really make their feelings known in a quantifiable fashion. Currently our only options as voters are:
• To vote
• To spoil our ballot paper.
• Not to vote.
I believe it would better express the opinion of the electorate if we could actively show our disapproval of a candidate. It should also be of some use to candidates and political parties.
Obviously, the counting of X votes is not critical to the election results and therefore not time sensitive. Counting could take place after the election results have been announced as the results would be purely for public/political information and interest. I also feel that such a move would improve voter turnout in elections, local or general. Voters disenchanted with politics may not turn out to vote for candidates, but they may well turn out to vote against them. I submit that is equally important.
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