[apsa_itp] open electoral system, orderly deployment

[Michael Allan <mike@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello all,

I have another question for the list, concerning the proposed 'open
electoral system'.  I think there may be organizations that have the
means and incentive to help with its deployment in an orderly way, and
to reduce the risk of problems (social and technical).  So I ask for
your advice:

An open electoral system (to recall) would allow the public to choose
its own candidates, and to back them, well before an official
election.  Here is a summary (references are at the bottom, for more
details):

  1. Each citizen would carry a single vote per office, with which
     to 'back' any other citizen as a candidate for that office.

     The citizen could also withdraw this backing at any time,
     or transfer it to another candidate. (In other words,
     the election would be continuous.)

  2. A candidate's own vote (as a citizen) would carry with it
     the votes of all his/her backers.

     (This is called a 'delegate cascade'.)

  3. When the time came for the official election, an open
     candidate that had sufficient public backing might decide
     to enter the official race.

Assume that an open electoral system, like this, could be developed
and ready for deployment within about 3 to 5 months. Assume also that
it might be deployed in many communities, around the world.  And
furthermore:

A. Assume these goals (for orderly deployment):

  1. Cautious, coordinated, step-wise deployment, so that the biggest
     problems are solved before the system becomes widespread.

  2. Coordination among communities, so that each community
     can learn from others, and share solutions.

  3. Effective communication with government, law enforcement,
     and other concerned agencies.

  4. Keep systems inter-operable among among communities, to permit
     (eventual) international elections.

B. Assume also these principles (for sake of the question):

  1. The electoral system is the public's; it is owned, operated,
     policed and protected by the public.

  2. The electoral system is an experiment by the public,
     a test of a new technology by the public. Those who wish
     to participate will try it out, see if they like it,
     and maybe help to improve it.

  3. No essential part of the system will be under the control
     of any government, organization or individual, except with
     effective oversight by the public.

  4. The system will be designed and developed openly: with an open
     architecture, and free and open source software.

  5. The system will be deployed openly: keeping the public informed
     about intentions and actions along the way; and being
     responsive to public concerns.

The question has three parts:

  1. What organizations could:

    a) Provide help in achieving the goals above (to those communities
       that wish to receive help), and

    b) Adhere to the principles above, and

    c) Benefit from doing so?

  2. For each organization, how would it benefit?
     What might it gain?

  3. By the same token, what might it lose?

The idea is, these organizations could be informed sooner, rather
than later, and then be better prepared to provide help.

-- 
Michael Allan

http://zelea.com/


August 14, 2007. The open electoral system was first discussed here:

http://groups.google.com/group/torcamp/browse_frm/thread/486035734280d5f9
http://www.rabble.ca/babble/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=5&t=002357
http://groups.dowire.org/groups/research/messages/topic/1Zbd0H1N6LASECK8AzLJQX

http://lists.hmdc.harvard.edu/lists/apsa_itp_at_lists_hmdc_harvard_edu/2007_08/threads.html
- see 1/"A quiet revolution in democracy," and
      2/"Can committees create great ... whatever's?"

August 20, 2007. Its design was sketched and discussed here:

http://lists.hmdc.harvard.edu/lists/apsa_itp_at_lists_hmdc_harvard_edu/2007_08/threads.html
- see "open electoral system (strawman plan)"

August 24, 2007. This message will be submitted to several forums:

http://lists.hmdc.harvard.edu/lists/apsa_itp_at_lists_hmdc_harvard_edu/2007_08/threads.html
http://www.rabble.ca/babble/ultimatebb.php?ubb=forum&f=5
http://groups.dowire.org/groups/consult

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