For several years I have been thinking about a voting method for electing governments, which would, at the same time, encourage people to actually go out and vote and enable them to make their feelings known about all shades of the political spectrum.
I have always thought that to vote against candidates would be far more satisfying in the polling booth than voting for.
My method would work like this:
The names of all the candidates would be listed on the ballot paper as at present, but instead of putting a cross against the name of your choice, you would RATE all candidates with a rating of 0 to 4. The candidate with the FEWEST votes would be elected, because you are voting against individual candidates according to your degree of disapproval of him and/or the party he represents.
When the votes are counted the teller would have a simple adding machine for each candidate, bearing that candidates name. He would pick up a voting paper and add the number of anti- votes AGAINST each candidate to that candidates individual count. At the end of the count the candidate who has the lowest number of anti-votes would be elected.
Example completed voting paper below.
| Candidate | Anti-votes |
|---|---|
| Smith | 3 |
| Johnson | 4 |
| French | 0 |
| Green | 4 |
| Fleming | 2 |
| Robson | 4 |
In this example French would be elected, as this voter shows less dislike of him and his party or policies, than of all the others. Having the ability to award 0 to 4 anti-votes would allow one to register a degree of disapproval. Taken over a whole constituency, this would give a more accurate reading of the electorates feelings towards individual candidates and their parties.
Those who have a dislike of all politicians might like to give all candidates a maximum 4 anti-votes. This method would ensure that these people can register their disapproval, and have their opinions counted, rather than, as at present, be dismissed with a ‘spoilt paper’, or not bother to vote at all.