Questions tagged [voting]

To be used in relation to questions about the process in which a representative democracy elects its representatives, including how they are physically counted. Not to be used for questions about how the votes are scored, which are covered under the [voting-systems] tag.

To be used in relation to questions about the process in which a representative democracy elects its representatives including how they are physically counted. Not to be used for questions about how the votes are scored, which are covered under .

To better explain the difference between voting and voting systems, voting systems involve the way that a ballot is used to determine the winner. Voting is the process involved with casting a vote. So vote-by-mail is a type of voting. Proportional representation and plurality are types of voting systems. Voting systems are theoretical constructs, although questions may involve their practical application.

Voting can also be used in regards to questions of who is eligible to vote and the specific methods of enforcing that. Voting is also used in regards to the system that a country or other voting district uses to process the vote, i.e. the mechanics of voting. Voting is generally a practical matter, with a specific application in a particular district.

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Do compulsory voting systems allow blank votes or "none of the above" options?

I am wondering if compulsory voting systems allow for blank votes. By blank votes I mean an explicit act of choosing not to tick any option. Wikipedia seems to mix blank vote with various types of voting under the umbrella of protest vote, but I am…
Alexei
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Does it really make a difference when more people vote?

We tend to say that "everybody should vote, no matter what". And of course, democracy cannot work if nobody votes. But as long as enough people vote, does it make a difference when the number of voters increases? In other words, can we say that a…
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Are there states where voting is not anonymous?

Anonymity is one of the desirable requirements of voting process in elections. Are there states where voting is not anonymous i.e. who voted whom is public?
akm
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How do Voting Machines work?

How do Electronic & Mechanical Voting machines work? And how do they provide accurate votes? Is it overly complicated machine, or is it surprisingly simple?
Person
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Is it proven that the poorest citizens usually make "bad decisions" when voting?

A common trope (e.g. with Brexit) about "the poor" is that they always vote for the "populist"/"authoritarian"/"evil" party. Some claim that there should some sort of an intelligence test or a wealth threshold that people must pass in order to gain…
JonathanReez
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Why voting age seems to be stuck at 18 (relatively high)?

According to this Wikipedia article, the vast majority of countries have a voting age of 18. In the same time, there are plenty of other actions a person can do before this age (here and [here] for examples within US and NZ). E.g.: Age 12 – boat…
Alexei
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Anonymous conscience vote in parliament?

The Wikipedia article about the topic provides a list of benefits of this solution. In particular: (...) the elected members of a legislature who belong to a political party are usually required by that party to vote in accordance with the party…
Eiver
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Why don't Black Americans vote Republican?

It was the Republican Party that enacted the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed the slaves, yet Black Americans seem to overwhelmingly vote Democratic, why? Percentage of black votes for the democratic party from 1976 to 2012 1976 - 83% of…
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Are there any implementations of Online Deliberation?

Wikipedia says Online Deliberation is the practice and research related to the design, implementation and study of deliberative processes that rely on the use of electronic information and communications technologies. Deliberation is the…
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Is voting a form of rent seeking?

Do all voting a form of rent seeking? For example, say a group of voters vote for tariff free removal. Another wants to protect steel industry. Are both doing rent seeking? It seems that removal of tariff create wealth while protection undo…
user4951
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Why do race and religion matter in voting?

People have strong preferences to pick leaders similar to them instead of on merit. But why? Why does race and religion matter in politics? Why in most other things we care about what's best. Yet in politics, we seem not only care about the quality…
user6063