NationStates Jolt Archive

Presently we have the Electoral College in the U.S., a winner-take-all by state (and in two cases Congressional district, though that hardly ever matters) with the possibility of faithless electors, no electoral majority, etc. Is there a better way to pick a President, possibly one that breaks the two-party stranglehold? The rules are as follows for this:

--You must tie up any loose ends, or the other posters will happily tie them up for you in a bizarre way.

--You can say "We should keep the system the way it is" or "We should use a straight popular vote", but only if you want to be a lame-o.

--You can't disenfranchise people based on race, religion, sex/gender, or age, provided they are over 18.

OK, now for my idea...an idea I tried to post in aother thread once upon a time before it got eaten, so now you have to see a whole new thread on the matter. So nyah.

One thing i noticed is that people like voting for things like American Idol. Apparently Fantasia vs. Diana or Ruben vs. Clay is more compelling than Bush vs. Kerry. That said, the current system offers more problems as it is. Two parties are the only ones with any chance, and if there's an incumbent, possibly only one party. We need a way for fresh blood.

Before the first week of May, parties pick their nominees however they choose. Then, knowing who the parties' nominations are, and with all parties on the ballot, all eligible voters are able to vote for the candidate of their choice by a closed-circuit Internet ballot. They log in using their Social Security number and possibly some other identifying marker unique to them...fingerprints would be nice if they were feasible. In any case, the field is reduced to a handful of Presidential candidates at this time, and then a month later, the people vote again and reduce the number of candidates to 6.

The idea of voting is the same as always - you vote for the candidate you want to stay in the race. Whoever gets the least number of votes is out.

At this stage, we introduce two wrinkles.

--With six candidates remaining, candidates now select running mates. They have the month of June to select running mates. Any candidate failing to select a running mate by the first of July is out of the race; any rounds of voting from here on out that are not necessary due to a shortage of candidates are cancelled (so if one of the six does not pick a running mate, the other five advance and there is no vote in July.)

--If there is an incumbent, he is immune from all votes until there are six left. Incumbents face five challengers; races with no incumbents will have six challengers.

In June, there are six candidates left, with six running mates. All voting from here on out takes place in the first week of a specific month. In July the people vote for their favorite remaining candidate, and the lowest vote-getter is out. Same procedure in August, September, and October, until only two remain.

At this point, each candidate names a Cabinet. There is one last Presidectial debate, one last VP debate, and a panel debate for the Cabinet selections. In November on Election Day, the people vote for the next President of the United States.

All votes before the final two are done by straight popular vote. However, as a means of partially preserving the Electoral College while still keeping votes in proportion, the election is not by Congressional district. Whoever wins a majority in a district wins one electoral vote for that district. It takes 218 electoral votes to win, per the fact that there are 435 districts.

Example election 2004

Parties pick their nominees in March or April or whenever the hell, and by June, we have a few candidates - the Republicans are the incumbent party and retain George W. Bush. The Democrats take John Kerry, the Libertarians put up Michael Badnarik, the Greens put up David Cobb, and the Constitution Party nominates Michael Peroutka. Ralph Nader invents the What the Fuck Party and gets enough votes to make a decent run at the Presidency. However, at this point, the argument can no longer be made that voting for Nader or Badnarik bleeds votes from Kerry, and with five open slots in the next round, people are more inclined to vote for who they want.

Bush takes first place, followed by Kerry, Nader, Badnarik, and Cobb. Peroutka goes home. Cobb loses in August, and it's then down to Bush, Kerry, and Badnarik in the final three. Given a legitimate coservative alternative, in the final three, many people in rural areas decide that Badnarik epitomizes what they want more than Bush does. With the proper face time, Badnarik wins them over and Bush is out.

It's now down to Michael Badnarik vs. John Kerry in the final two. Now Badnarik's no longer a fringe third-party candidate; he's in the final two. He's defeated the incumbent, and by labeling Kerry a Massachusetts liberal who's out of touch with middle America, he wins a lot of votes, especially from former Bush voters. Kerry trying to harang Badnarik as an anti-government wacko doesn't win enough votes for him, and in a 241-194 upset, Michael Badnarik is elected President of the U.S.

Thanks for those who stuck with me throughout this entire post, and more thanks to those who tear my idea apart and offer something they see as better. No thanks to those who just tear my idea apart and offer no better solution.

Put all contestants in a ring. Last man standing wins.
Requirements:
40 years or older.
Able to speak and write at least 2 foreign languages fluently.
A degree from an acreditted college or university.
Has spent at least 3 full years abroad.
Has held down a job before his 40st birthday for at least 10 years.
Is able to speak English.
Knows how to speak in public.
Must have a heart disorder.
Must have a good chance for Alzheimer/Parkinson within 4 to 8 years.

How about New Zealands current system, an Instant run-off or Ranked choice ballot along with compulsary voting. Kills the strangle hold of the current two major parties along with the outdated electorial system.

Yeah, I was gonna say Ranked Choice

You have a number of seats per State. each county and city gets their own seat. So L.A, San francisco et cetera have seperate seats to the county.

Who ever gets the most seats wins.

Effectivly it means that we get a better picture of how people want to vote, and avoids long periods of agony over states.

You have a number of seats per State. each county and city gets their own seat. So L.A, San francisco et cetera have seperate seats to the county.

Who ever gets the most seats wins.

Effectivly it means that we get a better picture of how people want to vote, and avoids long periods of agony over states.
Mines kind of like that its in contituncies divied by population not cities so theres whatever same amount of people in each one.

I say we go back to the articals of confederation

King of the Mountain. We build a huge conical 'white house'. Whoever is on top of it is President. You want to be President? Just knock the current King off. :)

Closed circuit internet voting?!?!?!?!?


didnt read much of it, just thought that was an interesting oxymoron

Hmm how about...legally.

Well anyway, I think a majority vote is plain, simple and best. You give the people what the people want I guess.

But even the points system is fine but the electoral collage seem unefficient and prone to critisism.

Personally I think a Roman type system would work.

Give 50% of the power to one man (Elected or...dictator. But he has to be a damn good person)
Then give the other 50% to a Elected Governing body.

Then you have the quick, efficient system of the dictatorship government, but the elected body keeps the dictator from violating the populace's will.

Current system, except everybody who votes is incinerated on the spot. To prevent cheating.

Unfortunately, I suspect that voter turnout would be awfully low. But every vote would be a sure sign of dedication to that candidate's values! :D

You base the vote upon doing a period of civic service (be that military, public works, or whatever, just a certain set period of time working for the state). Whoever does the civic service earns the right to vote with no other need for other qualifications (other than being a citizen, which would be necessary to participate in the civic service).

The presidency is than made non-partison. Presidents don't belong to any party when running, but create their own personal platforms and present a list of their vice-president, ministers, etc.

Then those who have the right to vote do. Whoever has the most votes throughout the nation becomes the president.

Current system, except everybody who votes is incinerated on the spot. To prevent cheating.

Unfortunately, I suspect that voter turnout would be awfully low. But every vote would be a sure sign of dedication to that candidate's values! :D


Wouldn't this system lead to the sacrificing of family members for office? Such as bush having his daughter vote, for him, persuming no one else votes, he gets in by a majority of one vote, and his daughter dies. And then american takes four more years.

Informed voting.

ie. before people are allowed to vote they have to prove their actual knowledge of the candidates policies. Voting along party lines with no idea if they're actually matching one's preferences. Doing so without should recieve Lunatic Golfballs plan :D

First of all, I bet some others would vote. Second of all, so be it. At least his genes won't continue.

My only concern is that if a president is elected by a landslide, he may lose his support at the same time.

I'd say a bar brawl, the candidates can only wear cheap Wal-mart tennis shoes, as well as the smallest T-shirt that can fit on them and either khakis, jeans, or sweat pants. Baseball caps are allowed, but that is optional. Further, running mates must select each other (the nature of this will be described later).
The Arena will be a standard bar with one stool per contestant and a sufficient amount of bottles. All involved must have some vodka to get them good and loose. When the time is determined to be right, the fight begins.
Last man standing becomes president, and the man who he chosse as his running mate becomes vice-president (thus, up until the brawl, it is impossible to tell which runnin mate will be president, and which will be vice-president).

Now, some people are doubtless saying: "But, Hajekistan, won't that mean that who the people want for their Commander in Chief won't matter?" To them I say, fear not little one, for I, in my great greatness, have thought of your concerns. To those of you who didn't ask that question, I have only to say that you should shut up and let me talk for a bit longer.
People would still vote on whom they wanted to run. After all, there is only so much room in a bar, so I think half a dozen (that is 6, for those among us in the public education system) groups could be the maximum. So there would still be a vote, with the top 6 "teams" entering contention. Further, people would pick their places in order of rank (the top team picks their places, then the second, then the third, until everyone is where they should be).

Now seeing that, the product of my own ingenious mind, and my presidential requirements, listed in another thread, can anyone think of a better way to chose the leader of the free world? You probably could, but would it be nearly as entertaining? Imagine if we had used this method during the recent election . . .
Who else here would have loved to see George Bush charge John Edwards, swing a broken bottle and screaming "I've got your weapons of mass destruction right here jack ass!" Only to be hammered on the back of the head by a barstool wielding John Kerry telling Bush to "Flip-Flop this!"
Yes, it would be immature. Yes, it would be dangerous. Yes, it would be meanspirited.
So far, I can't see any downsides.

Closed circuit internet voting?!?!?!?!?


didnt read much of it, just thought that was an interesting oxymoron

The idea is that people would log onto a secure server with their SSN and vote. It would have to be behind a pretty heavy-duty firewall, and hacking it would be some sort of heavy-duty federal offense punishable by being flogged by every voter whose vote you fouled up, or something like that.

Ok heres my system:

Everybody over the age of 18 votes for who they wish to be president.


Person with the most votes wins.



hm?

King of the Mountain. We build a huge conical 'white house'. Whoever is on top of it is President. You want to be President? Just knock the current King off. :)

Hell, New Zealand already has the infrastructure in place for that system.

Parliament building:
http://www.cnn.com/interactive/specials/9910/millennium.events.guide/photoessays/images/wellington.beehive.jpg

:D
Craig

Reality TV shows us the way.

All contenders must sing horrible versions of 70's and 80's pop songs, to be televised. Voting is done via phone or SMS, and the one remaining gets to be president. As for VP...well I'll elect myself.

Fun, eh?

Hell, New Zealand already has the infrastructure in place for that system.

Parliament building:
http://www.cnn.com/interactive/specials/9910/millennium.events.guide/photoessays/images/wellington.beehive.jpg

:D
Craig

YAY! :D

Three words:

Giant Robot Gladiators

There should be a vote every election to choose which method to use. ;) Huge organizational headache, but worth it in the long run.

My suggesstion is good old trial by combat. Already said, pretty much, but it should be tourney style.

Every week during the election year a new tier starts. Contestants fight naked, unless they have votes, in which case, they get $1 to spend on equipment for every 100,000 votes they have. Forfeit should be possible, but otherwise it's a fight to the death. >:)

Anyone may challenge the current president to ritual combat (while nude) before his term winds down. "Cheating" will result in the vice president taking over as normal, who doesn't have to fight at all. Sweet deal, eh?

The US definately needs more nudity and bloodsport.

Reality TV shows us the way.

All contenders must sing horrible versions of 70's and 80's pop songs, to be televised. Voting is done via phone or SMS, and the one remaining gets to be president. As for VP...well I'll elect myself.

Fun, eh?

Lock everyone in the White House for about ten weeks before the election - 10 people. Every week, the people vote out one of two people selected by Supreme Court justices based on a scoring system that's mostly objective. No candidate can be selected two weeks in a row until the final four, at which point it's a free-for-all. If there's a lame-duck President, he shacks up with Teresa Heinz Kerry for the contest.

Gradually they cut off luxuries, like teleprompters, one wing of the building, the golf course, the soft money, etc. When it's down to four, the candidates debate on live TV and the people vote; lowest vote-getter is out. Then they repeat in the final three, and for the final two, candidates must debate wearing chicken suits.

The only change I would make:

Instead of saying "vote for one candidate," you can vote for "one OR MORE candidates."

It's called approval voting. You can cast one vote for as many different candidates as you want. Hence, you could vote for Nader because you support him, but also vote for Kerry because you know Nader has no chance and you'd prefer Kerry over Bush.

Person with the most votes wins. Or you can do it by state and through the electoral college, doesnt' matter, just use approval voting to give third parties a shot.

with all the complaints here and abroad... I say the canidate has to win 95% of the popular votes... If neither wins, each party selects a new canidate and tries again... until a new President is elected, the current one stays in power... oh and the current president cannot run for office while holding the office... no consecutive terms in the White House.

or

Let the other democratic contries choose the US president. However the US citizens can choose their leaders as well.

Selection of a President:
The President shall be selected by all citizens of the United States of America and its claims and territories, who have formally been proven beyond reasonable doubt to be of sound mind and political awareness. Any president chosen in such a manner must be voted for by a minimum percentage equal to fifty times the square root of two, and by a larger percentage than any other candidate, of the eligible population, who have, while being given the option of selecting any number of candidates to a minimum of one or a maximum of the full field of candidates, or to have actively affirmed that no candidate is viable, selected the candidate as viable for the Presidency.

(English: Approval by citizens in population that can actually think and knows something about politics. Anyone getting 70.7 percent or more and more than anyone else is President. Votes that do not include either at least one candidate or 'none of the above' do not affect the percentage.)

Qualifications of a President:
Any being that is sentient and possesses freedom of thought and action, holding sole citizenship in the United States of America and/or in possessions/territories thereof for a minimum of nine years, of which a minimum five have been consecutive and are part of vis current sole citizenship, who has served no less than three years in the employ of a state or federal government, who is neither in prison or on parole for a felony nor has been convicted of nor is on trial for a violent or treasonous offense deemed unjustifiable by the court responsible for the trial, and whose term of office if elected shall not extend vis service as President beyond ten years two days in any given five-hundred-year period, shall be eligible for the Presidency. Any citizen so elected to the Presidency shall serve as President for a term extending from the time at which inaugurated to the same time on the same month and date of the next year.

(English: Sole citizen (not necessarily natural-born) of the US for nine years (to include all of the past five), not a puppet nor dependent, served in government or military for three years at some point, not a felon or violent offender, and wouldn't end up serving more than about ten years. Elected for one year.)