Electronic Referenda

Electronic Referenda - Notification, Submissions and Voting

We envision a digital platform where the People can be promptly notified of and cast their votes electronically on proposed decisions, fostering direct involvement in the decision-making process.

We're at a stage technologically where holding an electronic referendum should be commonplace.  Governments (local and national) find it easier to pass their decisions, not consulting with the people effectively. We need to change with the times.

Our intention is that an app/website would be developed for conducting referenda, giving the People a direct say in critical decisions. This app/website would run the referenda in three phases:

1. Notification

Notification of the referenda would be sent out electronically in plain English (or concise relevant language) to the People about the proposed decision and would include

• Written in plain English (or selected language)
• Benefits to be gained by the community, region or nation
• Costs to implement (estimated)
• Government department primarily responsible.  There may be many departments involved yet it would be deemed that there would be a lead department). 
• Effects on income/expenditure of taxpayers (numbers, demographics, etc)
• Effects on Government budgets, income, expenditure (this will require a level of transparency by Government to have accurate accounts open to the People)
• Relevant documentation, videos, infographics, charts, graphs, demographics
• List of pro's and con's

2. Submissions

Publicly available forums / submission tools would be available for the People to make submissions on alternatives not already considered (more minds to solve a problem).  The submissions will be published (redacted submitter details) via the website/app for scrutinisation by others.  These submissions could have an informal "Like/Dislike" voting options to gauge interest in alternative solutions.

Where there is no clear "winner" (i.e, very close difference between two out of three options), the referendum could potentially be withdrawn for review and discussion undertaken to ascertain whether there is a "middle ground" that could be included that could satisfy both alternatives. 

As the referendum is electronic there would be far less cost than doing a referendum for redesigning the flag (ballpark, you'd probably be able to undertake 50+ electronic referenda for the same or lesser cost).

3. Voting

Once the feedback period has closed, the data provided will be collated and analysed independently to provide a final draft referendum.  This will be delivered as an electronic referendum to all eligible voters and will include all items in point 1. above and realistically achievable alternatives gathered from point 2. above.  The People will then be able to vote upon their preference. 

Outcome

Using this system will keep the People notified of proposed changes, allow the People to provide feedback more efficiently, and give the People their voice when decisions are to be made that affect them.

This app/website will be made available for national and local government decision making providing a level of transparency that we, as taxpayers/ratepayers deserve.