Voting and Elections

Voting is the primary symbol of citizenship in a democratic

society; indeed, ‘one person, one vote’ is one of the core principles

of democracy. A voting system allows voters to choose between

options. Voting can be also used to award prizes, to select between

different plans of action.

A voting system contains rules for valid voting. The study of

formally defined voting system is called voting theory. Voting

theory began formally in the 18th century and many proposals for

voting systems have been made.

Voting systems are either majority rule, proportional

representation or plurality voting. Different voting systems may

give very different results, particularly in cases where there is no

clear majority preference.

All Western countries hold regular elections. Elections are the

major way by which those who rule are made answerable to the

mass of people.

Some countries hold many types of election, others few. In the

United Kingdom, electors can vote in local and European

elections, as well as in a general one every four or five years. In

the United States, Americans elect people for offices which in

most states would be filled by appointment. It has been estimated

that there are a million elected offices in the USA. Americans

clearly have a great enthusiasm for the ballot box. They have

always feared a concentration of power in too few hands. Even

when they elect officials, they do not in most cases allow them to

serve for too long.

In several countries, elections are used by those in power to

give the illusion of popular participation. However, the object of

elections is the same, to confer legitimacy on the government.

A democratic general election is distinguished by several

characteristics. These include such features as:

a universal franchise;

a secret ballot;

a time limit on office;

the freedom to form parties;

contests in every constituency;

campaigns regulated by strict and fair rules.

Whatever the system it is likely that some voters will not be

registered. Of those who are registered, others will be unable to

cast their vote because of illness, absence or other circumstances.

Some people are just unwilling to make the effort. Hence the

remedy introduced in several countries: compulsory voting.

Australia, Austria, Belgium and some Latin American states are

among those which have resorted to this method, but in most cases

its effectiveness is limited by the low level of fines and the

difficulties in collecting those fines.

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