In response to:
> From: Bart Ingles <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: Shouldn't Talk To Santa Clara?
> The few Santa Clara County seats that would be affected by this measure
> are all non-partisan, at least in theory (no political affiliation is
> listed on the ballot). These are basically local races, with most
> candidates unknown to most voters. Name recognition and endorsement by
> better-known officials are probably the largest factor in a successful
> campaign.
Santa Clara is not like the UK!
My impressions: If people just vote for those they know but do not
dislike, then Approval would seem to be fine and indeed better than
any published ranking method. Of ranking methods, AV/IRO and Runoff
are clearly going to be better than FPP. I'm not sure I would want to
choose between them. I suspect that an astute politician could do
better under Runoff, but maybe that's what Santa Clara folk want.
> In practice, there are frequently two prominent candidates receiving
> endorsements from other elected officials who happen to be aligned with
> the two major parties. In that sense, centrist candidates without
> major-party backing would be eliminated immediately under Runoff.
So AV/IRO is different here, as it would give centrist candidates a
chance. But is this necessarily 'better'?
>There is some
> concern that Perot's candidacy may have altered the outcome in the last
> two elections (some say intentionally).
AV/IRO would seem to give the 'right' result, whereas Runoff does
not. This is like UK elections
>This raises a concern of mine: that a minor candidate
> (particularly one posing as a centrist) can not only
>alter the outcome of a race,
>but reduce any incentive for the major parties to compete for the
>middle-ground. I am as concerned about this as I am about
> overcoming the two-party duopoly.
> Runoff would address this last concern of mine, but would require
> partisan primary elections to remain in place.
AV/IRO addresses it too, without such a great need for primaries.
Cheers.
--------------------------------------------------
Sorry, but apparently I have to do this. :-(
The views expressed above are entirely those of the writer
and do not represent the views, policy or understanding of
any other person or official body.
