Kazcaper
26-04-2005, 15:49
I was thinking earlier, and indeed have since heard on BBC News 24, that reforming the voting system for Westminster elections might be a good idea. The suggestion is that a proportional representation system would challenge voter apathy, as you don't simply choose one candidate out of the number available. Certainly, there are generally good turnouts here in NI when it comes to Assembly elections which are conducted by PR (though, admittedly, that could have something to do with the sectarian factions here!).
I suppose my problem with the first past the post system as it is right now is that, theoretically, x party could have a majority of the popular vote, but because y party actually won more seats, they will form the next government. One could allocate seats proportional to the overall vote, but then that doesn't count for demographic differences that the current system does, so I suppose it would be a hard thing to implement.
Also, there's talk of introducing e-voting in the future, assuming it can be very secure. The rationale is that voters wouldn't even have to leave home in order to vote, therefore encouraging more to do so.
Anyone have any thoughts on any of these issues? Would the ideas combat voter apathy, and would a different voting system make electoral results more representative?
I suppose my problem with the first past the post system as it is right now is that, theoretically, x party could have a majority of the popular vote, but because y party actually won more seats, they will form the next government. One could allocate seats proportional to the overall vote, but then that doesn't count for demographic differences that the current system does, so I suppose it would be a hard thing to implement.
Also, there's talk of introducing e-voting in the future, assuming it can be very secure. The rationale is that voters wouldn't even have to leave home in order to vote, therefore encouraging more to do so.
Anyone have any thoughts on any of these issues? Would the ideas combat voter apathy, and would a different voting system make electoral results more representative?