Electoral Reform?

[exnihilo]

Having kind of started a discussion about this in the elections thread already, and knowing what informed and opinionated people Sinners are generally I thought it might be an idea to start a discussion on electoral reform vis-à-vis the Students' Association.

To get the ball rolling, here's what I posted on the other thread, please take the discussion in any direction you see fit, this is just some random thoughts - I have lots more...


Totally random, but is there any more progress on electronic voting?

I ask because here in Glasgow the SRC just held its elections and it was possible to vote by logging into the student portal and clicking on the relevant link. It just seems so much easier - and much better for a university like St Andrews where everyone spends most of each day online anyway.

Though I think it might be fairer in those circumstances to allow electronic campaigning. Perhaps something along the lines of a unionelections.com website divided up by post and then by candidate which the candidate can design him/herself or have as a plain template from the Association.

I'd also lift all bans on external boards and sites, certainly regulate what can and cannot be done on the University's server, but I see no reason why - for example - Facebook should in any way full under the Union's jurisdiction. In this modern age facebooking people about your candidacy or emailing them from your personal (not university) account is the equivalent of going round and telling them in days of yore. It's absurd to regulate it.

[atreus]

What is also of great concern is voter turnout. Many people on the Sinner and in the Union have expressed delight that 25% of the student body went out to vote on Friday. While this is higher than in most years, it is far from being a good turnout.

What I might suggest, and please criticise this if its obsurd, is to increase the campaign time to two or three weeks, so that nominees have longer to advertise not only their campaign, but that the election is coming up.

While people might fear that a longer campaign period would mean more harassment to students, why not increase the campaign time while keeping the campaign funds where they are.

As for electronic voting: brilliant!

[Duggeh]

I DISAGREE!

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IMAGE:www.macintyre42.plus.com/images/tb2-100.jpg
Duggeh: Master Of Ceremonies

[exnihilo]

In fairness, 25% is a lot more than most other universities can muster. I'm not sure a longer campaign would really achieve much more.

[Ben Reilly]

Considering the infrastructure that is in place, it would not be difficult to do. Durham University has an open-source system that we could use. Why not come along to SRC on Tuesday night to suggest it? Or email Alex on pres@st-andrews.ac.uk (or click here: LINK:mailto:pres@st-andrews.ac.uk )

[Lodestone]

Quoting exnihilo from 12:38, 19th Mar 2006
In fairness, 25% is a lot more than most other universities can muster.

This is true. But what we can do is try and make it an informed 25%. That Dickie Douglas got voted in against his desires says worrying things about the level and accessibility of information, for example.

[exnihilo]

Ooh, I could come to SRC - I'm coming over on Wednesday anyway. I've not been at SRC in years.

[atreus]

Quoting exnihilo from 13:00, 19th Mar 2006
Ooh, I could come to SRC - I'm coming over on Wednesday anyway. I've not been at SRC in years.

I think Ben said Tuesday. Besides, couldn't it be suggested on exnihilo's behalf since it's obviously been read by members of the SRC?

[exnihilo]

He did. I was simply saying that as I have nothing else to do at the moment, and I was coming over on Wednesday anyway I could easily come on Tuesday instead.

Though, until it's been discussed a bit, I doubt I'd have anything to propose. Still, as an Honorary Life Member (even if not a John Honey Award winner - technically) I am perfectly entitled to attend!

[exnihilo]

Now that time I really did only click once. Odd.

[Ben Reilly]

If people are able to come along and ask the questions for themselves, I'm sure that they would receive a fuller answer than we would be able to pass back on here, and they would be able to they get a satisfactory answer from the people whom they are asking.

[Dave the Explosive Newt]

Didn't we suggest electronic voting last elections, then Ben trotted out some reasons why it was difficult to work? I can't see a single drawback to the idea but the trick will be getting a system in place that works.

Quoting atreus from 12:30, 19th Mar 2006
What is also of great concern is voter turnout. Many people on the Sinner and in the Union have expressed delight that 25% of the student body went out to vote on Friday. While this is higher than in most years, it is far from being a good turnout.

I think though, that this can be attributed in quite a large part to running the AU elections simultaneously.

[hr]

It has been brought to my attention that certain people refer to me as a legend. Should you meet one of these people, maintain a safe distance and telephone the police. Under no circumstances attempt to deal with them by yourself.

[Dave the Explosive Newt]

Quoting Ben Reilly from 13:37, 19th Mar 2006
If people are able to come along and ask the questions for themselves, I'm sure that they would receive a fuller answer than we would be able to pass back on here, and they would be able to they get a satisfactory answer from the people whom they are asking.

Doesn't the R in SRC stand for representative? Surely it's the job of people on the committee to find out our concerns, research them thorougly and air them at the meeting for us?

[hr]

It has been brought to my attention that certain people refer to me as a legend. Should you meet one of these people, maintain a safe distance and telephone the police. Under no circumstances attempt to deal with them by yourself.

[exnihilo]

I think so too (that the AU elections boosted the turnout).

At Glasgow the voting lasts for a couple of days to allow plenty of people to vote online in the time.

[Ben Reilly]

Will,

It is indeed a representative council. And it is answerable to the student body. And to ensure that it is answerable, its members need to be questioned.

If it was merely a point of raising concerns, I would concur, but this is more than that.

[atreus]

Quoting Dave the Explosive Newt from 13:42, 19th Mar 2006
Doesn't the R in SRC stand for representative?

Don't tell them that. They might realise that studnets have concerns, and even worse, that getting elected might mean that they would have to do something about them (Shock Horror!!).

[LK Today]

Yes, if anyone has concerns they should either come to the DoR and ask him to raise it at SRC, or to the relevent officer/member, or come along to SRC in person. However, if I am not mistaken, it is SSC this week, and SRC does not meet again until after the break. So don't come to SRC this week, as it will be a waste of time. However, don't forget the AGM at 5.15pm in the Union bar on Wednesday!

Lee

Quoting Ben Reilly from 12:55, 19th Mar 2006
Considering the infrastructure that is in place, it would not be difficult to do. Durham University has an open-source system that we could use. Why not come along to SRC on Tuesday night to suggest it? Or email Alex on pres@st-andrews.ac.uk (or click here: LINK:mailto:pres@st-andrews.ac.uk )

[exnihilo]

The AGM is after the elections?

[David Bean]

Quoting LK Today from 13:55, 19th Mar 2006
However, if I am not mistaken, it is SSC this week, and SRC does not meet again until after the break. So don't come to SRC this week, as it will be a waste of time.

Yes, you're quite right about that - SRC is next week.

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Psalm 91:7

[LK Today]

Yes. Unfortunately due to the rectorial installation and other things it was decided to have the AGM this week. It would have been nice to have had it earlier, but there you go.

Quoting exnihilo from 14:12, 19th Mar 2006
The AGM is after the elections?

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