The process to find capable representatives
The TDG elections are perhaps the most important activity the TDG undertakes. Proper elections at the neighborhood tier start giving the TDG its legitimacy to make decisions for society. This article will describe the various aspects of conducting a TDG neighborhood election.
The executive committees of the TDGs must follow the rules of their own constitutions. It is important to follow the “rule of law,” even in these early TDG days.
If the rules are insufficient or too cumbersome, the executive can change them with the proper amending process outlined in that constitution — but after the election has finished.
The executive committee may create other rules for the election — as long as those rules are not in conflict with the constitution. These rules can be changed with a proper meeting of executive committee.
The constitution should specify a window of dates for the election, like “the month of April.” The executive committee should probably define the location and hours of operation.
The voters’ list should be maintained. New neighbors moving in should be asked if they want to join the neighborhood TDG. Neighbors who move out should be taken off the list. If an error is discovered on election day, it can be fixed for the next annual election. Who is eligible to vote shall be defined by constitution and rules set by the executive committee—and these rules shall not be in conflict with the constitution.
The constitution should have a clause about proper notice of the election. Proper notice shall include the mechanism for delivery (e.g. post, hand delivery, email, social media) and the time to deliver the notice, so all members have reasonable knowledge of the election.
The notice should include some wordage about voting for “good character” and “capacity for governance.” As well, the notice should include warnings about campaigners. If these rules are specifically stated in the constitution, the executive committee shall follow these rules. If not in the constitution, the executive committee has discretion in these matters.
If the constitution specifies mail-in voting or advance polls, the executive committee shall abide by those rules. If not specified, the executive committee can create these options.
The executive committee should appoint at least two members as poll watchers. The duties shall be handing out ballots, crossing off names who have voted, verifying tallies, and physically counting the votes.
The first TDG elections will likely be in someone’s home. But as the TDG grows, it should move to a more public location. Maybe several neighborhoods could meet at the same time and place. I recommend turning the election into an opportunity for neighbors to socialize.
All voting is done by secret ballot. No member should know how another member votes.
The design of the ballot could be a constitutional requirement — or could be left to the discretion of the executive committee.
Counting of the ballots should be an open process. I estimate about 100 ballots per election. It will not be cumbersome to set up an open process where a few interested neighbors can watch the counting. It should take about a half hour to determine the neighbor with the most votes.
Nearly all neighbors will regard the process as fair. Many voters will agree that the elected representative is capable.
Neighborhood elections will sometimes go wrong
Conducting the TDG election will not always go smooth, especially in the first few years. Rather than make charges that someone(s) was inept or corrupt, the TDG should go with the individual that seems to have earned the most votes. Having a few representatives with questionable legitimacy will not hamper the overall operation of the TDG.
But after the election, the executive committee, with help from the advisory board, should analyze what went wrong. The idea is not to assign blame, but to fix the problem. Maybe the rules were not followed in the right way. Maybe the rules need to be written more clearly. Maybe the next election will require more supervision. Maybe the constitution requires changing. The goal is to ensure the next election is a fair election.
As more local elections are conducted, lessons will be learned. Better rules and more experienced executive committees will mean smoother elections. There will be fewer controversies as the TDG grows.
And fewer controversies give the TDG more legitimacy.
Published on Medium 2024
