5 ms·

I used to be an ordinal-method purist, but I realized that approval voting is still (much) better than FPTP mathematically, and is also a win in terms of usabil

I used to be an ordinal-method purist, but I realized that approval voting is still (much) better than FPTP mathematically, and is also a win in terms of usability and understandability versus most ordinal systems. Usability of a ballot system is a big factor when it comes to voter engagement and turnout, so at this point, I would be very happy with approval-method ballots.

smichel17 8y ago
Alternatively, score voting but using letter grades (ABCDF) instead of numbers. Everyone who's had a small amount of education can understand that.
- Ntrails 8y ago
  How does the abstraction of order from number to letter help people understand what is required? Or is the concern the possibility of confusion around "rank 1-5" vs "Score candidates out of 5" etc
- moate 8y ago
  That's a bold assumption. I think that numbers have less cultural understanding needed. Letter grades are common, but not ubiquitous. Some schools just use % based "grades" and the 4.0 GPA system. If you say "Each candidate can be given up to 5 points, or as few as 0 points. There are no limits to the number of points you can give out in total (there are X candidates, so you could give a max of [X*5] points)." you're being pretty succinct and direct in the explanation. You might need more poll workers the first few years (which will create all kinds of problems because areas attempting to minimize voter turn out can exploit that) but once it becomes common you hope that people are used to it and know how the system works
  - ClayShentrup 8y ago
    Starlane.us
    - moate 8y ago
      Yep, STAR voting is generally my preferred method, but I do love the simplicity of "in favor of" binary voting as well. Either way, there's loads of improvements over our current system. The biggest thing is we need to eliminate the need to hold your nose and vote for the lesser of 2 evils. Obviously all republics involve some level of "this candidate is close enough to be my proxy" decision making, but I'm currently stuck voting for someone who was indicted while in office for political crimes because the alternative is worse. Moving to either system helps break the 2 party system open...which is why nobody in establishment politics is making a big push to get it implemented.
ClayShentrup 8y ago
Approval is also just better than ranked methods given strategic voters. http://scorevoting.net/BayRegsFig.html http://scorevoting.net/BayRegsFig.html http://scorevoting.net/AppCW http://scorevoting.net/AppCW And today Fargo votes on it. https://reformfargo.org https://reformfargo.org

smichel17 8y ago

Alternatively, score voting but using letter grades (ABCDF) instead of numbers. Everyone who's had a small amount of education can understand that.

Ntrails 8y ago
How does the abstraction of order from number to letter help people understand what is required? Or is the concern the possibility of confusion around "rank 1-5" vs "Score candidates out of 5" etc
moate 8y ago
That's a bold assumption. I think that numbers have less cultural understanding needed. Letter grades are common, but not ubiquitous. Some schools just use % based "grades" and the 4.0 GPA system. If you say "Each candidate can be given up to 5 points, or as few as 0 points. There are no limits to the number of points you can give out in total (there are X candidates, so you could give a max of [X*5] points)." you're being pretty succinct and direct in the explanation. You might need more poll workers the first few years (which will create all kinds of problems because areas attempting to minimize voter turn out can exploit that) but once it becomes common you hope that people are used to it and know how the system works
- ClayShentrup 8y ago
  Starlane.us
  - moate 8y ago
    Yep, STAR voting is generally my preferred method, but I do love the simplicity of "in favor of" binary voting as well. Either way, there's loads of improvements over our current system. The biggest thing is we need to eliminate the need to hold your nose and vote for the lesser of 2 evils. Obviously all republics involve some level of "this candidate is close enough to be my proxy" decision making, but I'm currently stuck voting for someone who was indicted while in office for political crimes because the alternative is worse. Moving to either system helps break the 2 party system open...which is why nobody in establishment politics is making a big push to get it implemented.

ClayShentrup 8y ago

Approval is also just better than ranked methods given strategic voters. http://scorevoting.net/BayRegsFig.html http://scorevoting.net/BayRegsFig.html http://scorevoting.net/AppCW http://scorevoting.net/AppCW And today Fargo votes on it. https://reformfargo.org https://reformfargo.org