UK Election Tech Handbook

Post by specialist » Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 2:59 PM UTC

dangerface wrote: post #27

methehack wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If promoting voting or identifying the disinformation campaigns of nation states is considered bias, than consider me happily labeled. However, I think there's something categorically different about such tools as they are not so much promoting a specific outcome as allowing for a more representative outcome, aka a functioning democracy where people are exchanging ideas not click rates.

Our representative democracy is setup as a two party system (first past the post elections) if we want a more representative outcome we should switch to a direct democracy or implement the alternative vote. Free exchange of ideas is my ultimate goal but the average voter doesn't share this goal, they get their information from "authoritative" sources such as "their" party or the mass media. We did have a vote to brin…

Post by blibble » Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 3:19 PM UTC

buro9 wrote: post #9

sefrost wrote: post #4

Has anyone in the UK volunteered their skills for any projects like those listed before? Would love to hear about your experience.

I'm working on https://tacticalvote.co.uk and volunteered during the 2017 snap General Election too. # Tech Our site handled a lot of traffic at the last snap election. 2.6m unique visitors in the 5 weeks before the vote, a crazy number during the last 48 hours. To accommodate this we have a static site builder, with our data in Google Sheets. We monitor github for changes, Sheets for changes, and auto-generate the s…

Post by mantap » Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 4:15 PM UTC

blibble wrote: post #33

buro9 wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm working on https://tacticalvote.co.uk and volunteered during the 2017 snap General Election too. # Tech Our site handled a lot of traffic at the last snap election. 2.6m unique visitors in the 5 weeks before the vote, a crazy number during the last 48 hours. To accommodate this we have a static site builder, with our data in Google Sheets. We monitor github for changes, Sheets for changes, and auto-generate the s…

> What I personally believe is that we should have proportional representation, and that mass tactical voting is an important step towards progressive candidates and progressive parties before we can reach a full PR system. Mass tactical voting applies pressure and encourages progressive behaviour. > My contribution then, is towards fairer election systems. if this is the case the site should allow you to select who…

Post by marksweston » Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 5:05 PM UTC

n4r9 wrote: post #36

obayesshelton wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As soon as I saw "UNITE AGAINST THE TORIES" I left the page, regardless of who I vote for this tool is clearly biased.

Counterpoint: the Tories are the largest benefactors of an unfair fptp-based gerrymandered voting system. In 2017 they received 5% more votes than Labour but 20% more MPs. They're the most obvious target for someone interested in tactical voting, regardless of their political persuasion (they're very unlikely to be a Tory voter).

Post by Pete_D » Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 6:15 PM UTC

specialist wrote: post #31

dangerface wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Our representative democracy is setup as a two party system (first past the post elections) if we want a more representative outcome we should switch to a direct democracy or implement the alternative vote. Free exchange of ideas is my ultimate goal but the average voter doesn't share this goal, they get their information from "authoritative" sources such as "their" party or the mass media. We did have a vote to brin…

"alternative vote" If you mean switch from FPTP to some form of RCV for executive positions or proportional representation (PR) for assemblies, then I agree. For RCV, I strongly prefer Approval Voting, which best balances fairness and simplicity. But we'll get the most benefits from PR.