An election system that puts voters (not politicians) first | Amber McReynolds

From hours-long lines and limited polling locations to confusing and discriminatory registration policies, why is it so hard to vote in the US? Voting rights expert Amber McReynolds offers a proven alternative: a new process, already happening in parts of the country, that could bring accountability, transparency and equity to the outdated and sputtering system that American democracy currently relies on.

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[maximilianodegyldenfeldt]

"Poiticians Make the rules" and they want not changes it becouse it was/is/will been usefull for them for ever.

[Scarletpooky]

As a Brit is baffle me why America has such long queues to vote.
The only times I've had to queue is when there's only about 6 people, that's it. That's because we have so many places to go to. No one has to worry about time off from work because it's quick enough to vote on the way to work, during lunch, or in the evening. I've never heard of anyone having to take a day off work to vote.
Everyone is automatically on the electoral register and in plenty of time before voting day each household is sent a letter to check, and update if needed, eligible voters in that residency. We don't have ballots sent out to us, unless we specifically ask, but we are all sent polling cards which tells us where to vote, what day, and what it's for.
We still get ridiculously low turn out but at least we know it's a choice and not due to something blocking people.

[isaacperkins]

The world is full of democracies that don't have issues on voting day.

[noitarumpu]

Here in Europe we often wonder how old fashioned and outdated many of the US 'systems' are. This is a perfect example.

[jameskulevich]

One person, one vote. Must prove you are real and legal. Very, very simple.

[guthrie_the_wizard]

We also deserve better candidates- Ranked Choice Voting, limit campaign financing, and higher accountability to voters for politicians.

[kiyohshi]

Most eligible voters want a third party, also ranked choice voting would be great.

[anEyePhil]

Look at the Australian Electoral Commission. They control the logistics of all Australian Elections. They are not owned or controlled by Federal, State or Local Govt politicians. They ensure that there are enough voting stations to allow everyone to vote without waiting. Best of all, voting is compulsory in Australia, which means that all types of people vote, not just those who can afford to. All elections are held on Saturdays, so everyone can vote without taking time from work.

[gabili]

no winner-takes-it-all system would also be a good start

[Overonator]

How do you reform voting when there is a 2 party system and sizeable number of politicians are convinced that high voter turn out is bad for them and their party's election chances so they put in more hoops and barriers to discourage voting.

[joee]

What? I am form Slovakia, young country and young democracy but our election process compared to what I heard is in US is flawless. I am shocked what’s going on in US. I hope that you will change it soon.

[nathanbanks]

Isn't the primary problem that there's only two choices? It's also a simple fix--most countries are better that way. The complicated part is getting everyone to agree to a better system...still, New Zealand managed to do it.

[vasilius]

Me in Russia:

*You guys have elections?*

[hungrymusicwolf]

Voting by mail is way too vulnerable, it should only be done to those who specifically requested it and should always have a good reason & much more stringent verification (as any decent European country does). Also, Electronic voting should not ever be an option, there are exponentially more vulnerabilities than even voting by mail. Any IT security expert, that is not paid off/connected with people who would benefit, can tell you how ridiculously easy it is to mess with such a thing.

[QuietCastle]

But how do you ensure "One Citizen, One Vote"? You need voter ID, security, and transparency.

[nmtumbleweed]

You know what’s good about this talk whether your inclined towards or against, we agree there is a problem that needs to be fixed. Without leaning heavily to one side, how could we make voting an honest and easy process for ALL citizens? Or, is there another way to accomplish democracy that’s different from what we have in place now?

[nmtumbleweed]

Wow! Now this is your classic TED. Thank you for giving her this platform. Thank you for showing us we have options, we can take our voter power back. We the voters, should implement this in our states. We should send this clip to ALL our elected officials and get these changes on the ballot. If they don’t get behind it, it shows they are only concerned with themselves and not making changes for the betterment of the voter system.

[Pan_Z]

... much of this could be fixed by making Election Day a national holiday, like many other countries. The expansion of early voting would also help. Mail-in ballots are a horribly unsafe voting method.

[KarenSmith-kucb]

Should have a picture Id to vote like every other country on the planet.

[kl]

I have just voted in Japan, and there were no queues and it took about 2 minutes. I have been thinking that Japan is one of the most bureaucrate country, with ton of paperworks and inefficient systems in public sector, but it turns out to be wrong! How can it be so bad in the US?