We need online voting for campus elections
I follow all sorts of elections — municipal, provincial and federal. But I have a particular fetish for student elections, as they break all sorts of trends. Student voters generally are not rational, and have little vested interest in the outcome. Many are blissfully ignorant of what they are voting for and what the people they elect actually do.
Another way student politics is different: at no other level of elections is cheating such a viable option. The general rule for elections in a “first past the post” system like the one this campus uses is, one person, one vote. Well, for many, the UVSS elections could mean one person, one dozen votes.
This current board has failed to address the biggest loophole in election policies. Currently, it would be easy for me to vote and after the sticker on card is scratched, simply go to University Center and get a new one. And, in the worst case scenario, spend $10 to get a new card issued. This process is easy to do, and could lead to a significant skewing of the results. Now some might say, “will me voting four extra times really change results?” Simply put? Yes.
Based on the “unofficial” results of the last election, found on the UVSS website, George Robinson lost to Christine Comrie by a mere 40 votes, which is 10 people voting four extra times. Not to say that happened, but it could have — and we’d all be none the wiser.
This problem has a simple solution. UVic already has employed the “webvote” system, which allows students to vote online via their netlink ID. Everyone has only one netlink ID, and each one is open to only one student number. Not only would this solve the problem of multiple votes, but it would accomplish something profoundly sustainable: eliminating paper ballots.
Those of you sadistic enough to follow last year’s election campaign recall the word sustainability was at the foundation of the platform for most of this current board’s campaign. One may notice that the current board has changed exactly nothing in the UVSS’s policies or in the SUB to make it more sustainable (although a seven-week strike probably saved waste).
I am offering the current board a way to be sustainable and fair: implement a webvote for the UVSS.
Polling stations would still be in place, equipped with laptops, and so many electoral problems would be solved. Not only would paper be saved, but ballot counting would be faster and more accurate, and controversy would be eliminated.
There is no reason this could not be done, and every reason why it should be.
20 Comments
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George Feb. 26, 2009, 5:41 p.m.
It should be noted that after co-op ballots and the re-count of last year's 'unofficial' results, Christine's lead was reduced to 20 votes.
Webvote has been done for years for Student Senate and Board of Governors seats. It's safe, secure, and supervised by the University. It would cost less and also eliminate allegations of fraud that tarnished the 2006 and 2007 elections.
George Feb. 26, 2009, 5:41 p.m.
It should be noted that after co-op ballots and the re-count of last year's 'unofficial' results, Christine's lead was reduced to 20 votes.
Webvote has been done for years for Student Senate and Board of Governors seats. It's safe, secure, and supervised by the University. It would cost less and also eliminate allegations of fraud that tarnished the 2006 and 2007 elections.
Kailey Feb. 26, 2009, 9:56 p.m.
P.S. Voter turnout would probably be a LOT higher too!
I don't think
blissful ignoranceand apathy are necessarily the same thing, but an online ballot might help with the later...people are less likely to be apathetic if things are online. Heck, I sometimes even take those dumb surveys they send me.Kailey Feb. 26, 2009, 9:56 p.m.
P.S. Voter turnout would probably be a LOT higher too!
I don't think
blissful ignoranceand apathy are necessarily the same thing, but an online ballot might help with the later...people are less likely to be apathetic if things are online. Heck, I sometimes even take those dumb surveys they send me.G Feb. 27, 2009, 1:44 a.m.
Observe, courtesy of Curtis Smith, the first big blunder in the 2009 UVSS elections:
Student voters generally are not rational, and have little vested interest in the outcome. Many are blissfully ignorant of what they are voting for and what the people they elect actually do.... oops.
G Feb. 27, 2009, 1:44 a.m.
Observe, courtesy of Curtis Smith, the first big blunder in the 2009 UVSS elections:
Student voters generally are not rational, and have little vested interest in the outcome. Many are blissfully ignorant of what they are voting for and what the people they elect actually do.... oops.
H Feb. 27, 2009, 4:28 p.m.
I don't think that's a blunder, I think it's stating the obvious. And more than anything it should be a wake up to students that they should care about the results. These elections decide what your student's society is going to do for you with your money. I have talked to too many students who haven't a clue what's going half the time and frankly don't care. Whether its apathy or blissful ignorance - it's about time to wake up and realize that while it may only be a student election, it's one with paid positions, a huge budget, and one that determines how much you're going to enjoy your next year at UVIC.
So no, not an
oops political blunder!Theoopsbelongs to the students who don't care enough to vote or don't care enough to know they should vote.-H
H Feb. 27, 2009, 4:28 p.m.
I don't think that's a blunder, I think it's stating the obvious. And more than anything it should be a wake up to students that they should care about the results. These elections decide what your student's society is going to do for you with your money. I have talked to too many students who haven't a clue what's going half the time and frankly don't care. Whether its apathy or blissful ignorance - it's about time to wake up and realize that while it may only be a student election, it's one with paid positions, a huge budget, and one that determines how much you're going to enjoy your next year at UVIC.
So no, not an
oops political blunder!Theoopsbelongs to the students who don't care enough to vote or don't care enough to know they should vote.-H
G Feb. 27, 2009, 10:24 p.m.
Many students may be ignorant and apathetic, but they're not generally irrational.
Saying that the very people whose votes you're seeking
generally are not rationalis a blunder.But Web Voting is a great idea.
G Feb. 27, 2009, 10:24 p.m.
Many students may be ignorant and apathetic, but they're not generally irrational.
Saying that the very people whose votes you're seeking
generally are not rationalis a blunder.But Web Voting is a great idea.
H March 1, 2009, 11:17 p.m.
How much of voting really is
rational? For example, look at how much attack ads have a sway in our federal and provincial elections and how little truth there is in them. We all know this yet they often have a resounding effect on poll results.We're human beings that are swayed by more than facts and often by emotion or personal interest. In light of that I do find it irrational to not vote and yet still pretend you have the right to complain about the UVSS as so many do. Not caring - that is most certainly
generally not rationalin situations such as these.And even more so, Curtis pointed out a huge difference in student voting compared to our federal and provincial elections. The student mentality when it comes time to vote is greatly affected by a lack of interest in the outcome. Our decisions on who we vote for will at most affect us for a few years, and won't have a lasting effect that may follow us the rest of our lives.
An understanding of that is good and one I can appreciate because it understands that a student government should focus on relevant short term goals instead of long term fantasies or political agendas. Long term thinking is great, but there's been a genuine lack of that in realistic terms or in the interest of all students these last few years.
H March 1, 2009, 11:17 p.m.
How much of voting really is
rational? For example, look at how much attack ads have a sway in our federal and provincial elections and how little truth there is in them. We all know this yet they often have a resounding effect on poll results.We're human beings that are swayed by more than facts and often by emotion or personal interest. In light of that I do find it irrational to not vote and yet still pretend you have the right to complain about the UVSS as so many do. Not caring - that is most certainly
generally not rationalin situations such as these.And even more so, Curtis pointed out a huge difference in student voting compared to our federal and provincial elections. The student mentality when it comes time to vote is greatly affected by a lack of interest in the outcome. Our decisions on who we vote for will at most affect us for a few years, and won't have a lasting effect that may follow us the rest of our lives.
An understanding of that is good and one I can appreciate because it understands that a student government should focus on relevant short term goals instead of long term fantasies or political agendas. Long term thinking is great, but there's been a genuine lack of that in realistic terms or in the interest of all students these last few years.
CO March 3, 2009, 12:50 a.m.
...changed exactly nothing in the UVSS’s policies.Real change doesn't stem from policy when you're talking about students; real change stems from action! If Curtis had ever worked with the Environmental Responsibility Committee this year, he would know what's going on. Maybe that's why he's campaigning forlow flush toiletsand other initiatives which the SUB and UVSS have already done.CO March 3, 2009, 12:50 a.m.
...changed exactly nothing in the UVSS’s policies.Real change doesn't stem from policy when you're talking about students; real change stems from action! If Curtis had ever worked with the Environmental Responsibility Committee this year, he would know what's going on. Maybe that's why he's campaigning forlow flush toiletsand other initiatives which the SUB and UVSS have already done.CO March 3, 2009, 12:57 a.m.
...by the way, if he wanted to change electoral policy, he could have joined the electoral board already.
No use complaining now to something you could have already changed.
CO March 3, 2009, 12:57 a.m.
...by the way, if he wanted to change electoral policy, he could have joined the electoral board already.
No use complaining now to something you could have already changed.
H March 3, 2009, 3:21 a.m.
I'm sorry but if we're going to toss around the blame- where was Team Fast on changing electoral policy to be environmentally friendly? The main tenant of their platform is sustainability (yet again, the
catch phrase for everything) and they missed out a huge opportunity to do away with a lot of unnecessary waste. This is something that people have been calling for years now and Curtis is right to draw attention to it now that the election is coming up and people are listening. But what's done is done and they were pretty busy this year after all with a major strike and all.But another point must be made. Since when is advocating for some positive change and the interests of the environment
complaining? That's just being petty now and we should be above that I would think, just a little bit.And finally, the Marlet's article on the Environmental Responsibility Committee was the first advertisement I have seen about the committee and when and where it meets, much like other committees. This information should be advertised a lot more and it should be a requirement that the UVSS reach out more when it realizes students are not involved enough rather than bringing up the desire for student involvement right before the election.
H March 3, 2009, 3:21 a.m.
I'm sorry but if we're going to toss around the blame- where was Team Fast on changing electoral policy to be environmentally friendly? The main tenant of their platform is sustainability (yet again, the
catch phrase for everything) and they missed out a huge opportunity to do away with a lot of unnecessary waste. This is something that people have been calling for years now and Curtis is right to draw attention to it now that the election is coming up and people are listening. But what's done is done and they were pretty busy this year after all with a major strike and all.But another point must be made. Since when is advocating for some positive change and the interests of the environment
complaining? That's just being petty now and we should be above that I would think, just a little bit.And finally, the Marlet's article on the Environmental Responsibility Committee was the first advertisement I have seen about the committee and when and where it meets, much like other committees. This information should be advertised a lot more and it should be a requirement that the UVSS reach out more when it realizes students are not involved enough rather than bringing up the desire for student involvement right before the election.
H March 3, 2009, 3:28 a.m.
Maybe some flashy advertising is really necessary and at the same time, we should toss in the idea of web voting if we're aiming for some change this time around. There are a lot of good ideas floating around this year with so many candidates running for chair.
Certainly, something needs to be done to get students more involved and web voting would be a great start, and an actual sustainable initiative that would be of little cost and have huge benefits. Heck - it would even cut costs which is something the UVSS needs to be doing.
H March 3, 2009, 3:28 a.m.
Maybe some flashy advertising is really necessary and at the same time, we should toss in the idea of web voting if we're aiming for some change this time around. There are a lot of good ideas floating around this year with so many candidates running for chair.
Certainly, something needs to be done to get students more involved and web voting would be a great start, and an actual sustainable initiative that would be of little cost and have huge benefits. Heck - it would even cut costs which is something the UVSS needs to be doing.