Election 2011

[ironphoenix]

I just subscribed to a vote swap site, votepair.ca; we'll see how it goes, but I support the principle. The swap system can be played strategically, the way this site has set it up, but that's okay... it's really hard to set up a vote system that can't, and I believe that it has been proven that any voting system that can't be played strategically is non-deterministic, that is, has some random elements.

I think this is an exceptionally important election, basically for the reasons Michael Ignatieff puts forward in this 3-minute speech.

Comments

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

I'm in a riding that is likely to go NDP again (Ottawa City Center, Paul Dewar), so I don't think this is helpful for me -- but I could see it for people who are in more closely balanced areas.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

The trick is, you can offer a vote for a party you would like to see get more seats elsewhere in exchange for the NDP vote that you would actually like to make in your own riding anyway.

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see. Tricksy.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Playing Bohnanza works about like this!

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Yeah, sometimes it does.

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Just went and read the site... I will be voting in an advanced poll, so apparently I'm not eligible. (I will be out of town on voting day for a business trip.)

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

D'oh!

[bastetschylde.livejournal.com]

Voting swap is tricky because it's based on an honour system... and it can be exploited.

I still don't know who I'm going to vote for at this point -- I want to seriously look at all party platforms and see what I feel suits me best. I always voted on generics and want to change that.

[bastetschylde.livejournal.com]

I'd prefer to do an informal swap where I do a vote swap with friends.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Good plan if you have friends in swing ridings!

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

*nods* Fair enough. Also consider who has a chance of winning, and the significance of votes in party funding for future elections!

[bastetschylde.livejournal.com]

I'm considering looking at all political party platforms as an employment preparation activity because I want to start a career in policy analysis and this is important information to know.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

It's a good start, yes.