Beet Voting Reform Act

[JohnFKennedy]

I think that this is an excellent Act Beet and support its passage wholeheartedly, if you require me to speak in favour just say the word.

[JohnFKennedy]

I think that this is an excellent Act Beet and support its passage wholeheartedly, if you require me to speak in favour just say the word.

Please do, JFK. Lets get the debate started on this bill. I realize that this will allow potentially quite a long time for voting, but some people may be legitimately unable to access their computer due to some vacation or other commitment during the weekend, or maybe will just be so busy that they might be unable to vote. Having a longer election time seems to make sense as this forum revolves around elections, and we only hold federal elections once every two months, so there should be as much opportunity as possible for people to participate. In the last election we definitely had people voting towards the very end.

I will make a speech on this tomorrow then, right now I plan to go to bed.

[JohnFKennedy]

(JFK takes the floor)

Well Ladies and Gentlemen, I think that this bill that the honourable Senator Beet has proposed is an excellent bill and I would just like to outline why.

Well firstly, I greatly approve of extending the time that the voting booth stays open because this will increase voter turnout, and, increasing voter turnout makes for a more Democratic society as you will have a greater majority voting.

I feel it will also make elections more competitive, as, as I have said, the longer the polls remain open, the more people will vote which means that candidates will need to win over a greater amount of people and thus a greater amount of support to win an election.

I also think that this shall grant a greater chance to vote to voters as it will mean not only do they have a longer amount of time to vote in in case they will be absent over the weekend, but they would be able to request an absentee ballot and thus vote before which will help with voter turnout and ensure that everyone who wishes to vote, can do, in case for some reason they are unable to during the alotted time.

I think that this bill sets a good precedent on when absentee voting should begin, just after the filing deadline is the perfect choice as by then all possible candidates will be known and no others will crop up. There is only one possible problem which I see with this and that is that the debates generally take place after the filing deadline and this would mean that people who voted before the debates would not have a chance to change their vote if they agree more with one candidate on a debate.

I feel that this is a problem which we need to work on a solution for, however, this Bill, as I said, will set an excellent precedent on absentee voting and on the length that the polls are open for.

I would just like to finally address the third clause, "This bill applies to all federal elections taking place after June 17, 2004."

This clause I feel is very important as it contains the word "Federal". A word which here makes this Bill worthy of passage. It does not infringe on the rights of each Region and their Regional Governor as this only accounts for federal elections which means the citizens of each region will be granted the chance to decide on how their gubernatorial elections shall occur, a right, which I feel, is necessary for each Region.

And so, I would like to throw my whole-hearted support behind this most excellent Bill, and, encourage its passage through the Senate post-haste.

I see only one problem with the Bill and that can be easily addressed by arranging a series of debates, as most Candidates were chosen before the filing deadlines. This would not only allow those absentee voters to take a good look at the policies of candidates, but, it would also allow a range of issues to be discussed over a greater period of time which would allow greater participation.

As I have said, the problems with this Bill are minor and easily resolved, the benefits however, are great and will work towards a more Democratic society.

On that note, I would like to step down and urge you all to vote in favour of this excellent piece of legislature.

(JFK steps down from the floor)

[JohnFKennedy]

*bump*

[JohnFKennedy]

Just because there were no absentee votes in the last election when we didn't even set it up until 24 hours before the start of polling, this does not mean that at some future time somebody will be travelling and be gone for a while at the time when our elections are held. Just look at Supreme Court Justice MAS and Josh22, they will both be gone for a while travelling. Should forum members have to adjust their schedule around our fantasy elections for the sake of not having absentee balloting? Certainly not. Early balloting should only be allowed when there is a real, credible reason, and it should not have a big impact on the election, but nevertheless it should be an option.

Also I believe this must be an amendment.

Indeed it must be, what Beet is proposing is not in fact an Act but a Constitutional Amendment so when it comes to the voting it will require a two-thirds majority to pass it.

I will open the voting for this Amendment next Friday around 12pm EST. Until then, let's get some lively debate going!