Improving the Election Process: A Study on Australian Voting Systems and Online Voting

The age of democracy is indeed fascinating. The United States, a 248-year-old democracy, has seen many improvements and changes over the years. While some systems have remained largely unchanged, others have implemented innovative tweaks to better serve the populace. This article delves into a few such improvements, particularly focusing on Australian voting systems and the potential benefits of online voting.

Improvements in Democratic Systems

Comparing different democratic systems, one can observe a myriad of improvements in recent years. For instance, in a parliamentary system, the prime minister can request a snap election if the current party loses the support of the parliament. This contrasts sharply with the U.S. system, where elections occur at fixed intervals, regardless of public sentiment. Such adjustments can significantly enhance the democratic process, making it more dynamic and adaptable.

Another fascinating example is the Australian system, which has been a model for various tweaks and adaptations. One notable improvement in Australia is the legal requirement for compulsory voting. Although the fine for non-compliance is relatively minor, the obligation to vote ensures a higher turnout rate. This is in stark contrast to the low turnout in U.S. midterm elections, where an estimated 30% of eligible voters choose not to participate due to lack of interest or disillusionment.

Australian Voting Systems

The Australian system's voting mechanism, particularly Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) and Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), stands out as a significant advancement. Unlike the traditional U.S. system, where only a two-party system prevails, this method allows for a more inclusive and fair representation of the electorate's preferences.

IRV and RCV work as follows: voters rank their preferred candidates in order of preference. If a candidate secures more than 50% of the first-choice votes, they win outright. Otherwise, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to the remaining candidates according to the voters' second choices. This process continues until one candidate achieves a majority.

The advantages of this system are numerous. It eliminates the wasted vote syndrome and prevents third-party candidates from disproportionately influencing the election outcome. This method ensures a more accurate representation of the public's will, as demonstrated by the hypothetical example of a third-party candidate like Ralph Nader in the 2000 U.S. presidential election. In an IRV vote, his supporters' second-choice votes would have likely gone to Al Gore, potentially altering the outcome.

Challenges in Implementing Online Voting

Despite the clear benefits of these voting systems, one question remains: is online voting a viable solution? The answer, currently, is a resounding no. The primary challenge in implementing online voting is ensuring the security and integrity of the electoral process. Recent cybersecurity threats have demonstrated that even minor vulnerabilities can have severe consequences. For instance, a small part of the world's defensive software infrastructure can still bring down our interconnected world, as seen in recent cyber-attacks.

Given the current state of cybersecurity, it is essential to focus on fortifying existing systems before even considering the implementation of online voting. Establishing robust security measures and testing them thoroughly is crucial to protecting the democratic process. In the meantime, other grassroots innovations such as IRV and RCV can be implemented to improve the election process, ensuring a fairer and more accurate representation of the electorate's preferences.

In conclusion, while online voting is not yet a feasible solution, the Australian system's IRV and RCV offer promising alternatives. These systems enhance voter engagement and the accuracy of the election outcome, providing a valuable model for other democracies to follow. As we continue to refine our electoral processes, the goal remains to ensure that every vote counts and that the will of the people is truly reflected.