Politicians and Approval Voting

Elected politicians have the most say in how elections are conducted and they have the most to fear from a change in voting systems. Despite this situation, many feel that Approval Voting has enough positive benefits to outweigh the uncertainties that some officeholders might have about changing voting systems.

For one thing, as we have discussed elsewhere, many politicians are currently subject to the randomness of plurality voting where a third party or independent candidate can join the race and thereby allow someone other than the most broadly acceptable candidate to win. Approval Voting eliminates that possibility.

Then there are also the practical problems with dealing with a system where runoff elections are possible, Campaigns have to make all sorts of tactical judgments about how much money to spend for the general and how much to save for the runoff. The ability to raise more money in a hurry often becomes paramount and that can mean selling out to special interests.

Beyond the vagaries of the political equations about who wins and loses, politicians should be aware of the many other benefits that Approval Voting would bring:

• higher voter turnout;
• cleaner campaigns;
• cost savings (no runoffs, no new machines required);
• better information about the voters' true desires;

These are not inconsiderable matters. Ultimately there will be happier voters who are better informed on issues. Politicians will also be better informed about the true preferences of the voters as well as the true level of support that various other officeholders enjoy. This will make it easier to craft public policy that wins the support of the electorate.

Ultimately Approval Voting is about good government. Thomas Jefferson made it clear that he expected improvements in voting systems to happen over time. In fact he expected America to be in the vanguard in adopting new systems in order to preserve the strength of our representative democracy.

That day has come. Approval Voting is the system. America stands ready for the leadership that is necessary to improve the democratic traditions of our republican form of government. History will look back kindly on those leaders who saw the way forward to reinvigorating our democracy. They will forever be remembered with broad approval.