Allow online voting by members unable to attend GPC conventions
Preamble
WHEREAS most members of the Green Party of Canada (GPC) do not attend Biennial General Meetings (BGMs), and are therefore unable to vote on motions presented to the meetings; and
WHEREAS the GPC prides itself on being a grassroots party; and
WHEREAS the GPC has committed itself to reducing the carbon footprint of all its operations, including travel; and
WHEREAS electronic voting (e-voting) is technically feasible and has been instituted in two European countries; and
WHEREAS a non-binding pre-conference online vote is already open to GPC members
Operative
BE IT RESOLVED that the Green Party of Canada will amend its bylaws (specifically Article 8) to allow and encourage online voting on motions and resolutions in future BGMs. If needed, a committee will be struck to study the most cost-effective, technically feasible, and secure method of allowing voters to cast e-votes.
Background
Motions to allow proxy voting at Green Party of Canada (GPC) Biannual General Meetings (BGMs) were tabled at the 2008 and 2010 BGMs, but were rejected. The thrust behind these motions was the observation that most GPC members are unable to attend BGMs, and therefore are unable to participate in voting from the floor of the meeting.
The two previous resolutions noted that, in the absence of a proxy or on-line voting system that would allow non-attendees to vote on motions, the GPC was left open to decisions being voted on by a minority of members. This
the GPCs self-image as a grassroots party. Indeed, it has been observed that the GPC may have the lowest member participation rate of any major party.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the GPC committed itself to reducing the carbon emissions of party operations, including travel. At the 2012 BGM, motion G12-D02 (Green and Ethical purchasing for GPC) was passed. Part of this motion declared “All travel should be by the lowest carbon output per
passenger mile, whenever possible, and, in all cases, carbon emissions should be off-set”.
To summarize, this motion proposes that the GPC bylaws should be amended to allow online voting at BGC conventions. This measure is technically feasible, and has been pursued before (most notably in the recent Liberal Party leadership race). Based on fact that the GPC bills itself as a grassroots party, on the principle of fair and equal opportunity for GPC members to express their views, and the policy that the GPC will seek the lowest possible carbon footprint for its operations, electronic voting is a logical step in the evolution of the GPC BGM.
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FOOTNOTES
1) One comment on the 2010 motion pointed out that “…..the Green Party membership has the worst democratic voting average than anyone can expect from a party boasting of doing politics differently and concerned with the imminent danger of climate change”. The poster went on to say “If we insist on having BGMs and at these BGMs make decisions from the floor of the convention then it is required that we do everything we can to ensure your Green Party member right to vote on those concerns. We do have a post-BGM ratification vote but since the voting percentage is less than 20% and in some cases less than 10% this does not solve the problem”.
2) See
http://www.eui.eu/news/2013/02-12-internetvotingasuccessintwoeuropeancou... for successful e-vote examples in Estonia and Switzerland.
3) http://www.greenparty.ca/party/documents/constitution
Code
Proposal Type
Submitter Name
Party Commentary
Preamble
WHEREAS most members of the Green Party of Canada (GPC) do not attend Biennial General Meetings (BGMs), and are therefore unable to vote on motions presented to the meetings; and
WHEREAS the GPC prides itself on being a grassroots party; and
WHEREAS the GPC has committed itself to reducing the carbon footprint of all its operations, including travel; and
WHEREAS electronic voting (e-voting) is technically feasible and has been instituted in two European countries; and
WHEREAS a non-binding pre-conference online vote is already open to GPC members
Operative
BE IT RESOLVED that the Green Party of Canada will amend its bylaws (specifically Article 8) to allow and encourage online voting on motions and resolutions in future BGMs. If needed, a committee will be struck to study the most cost-effective, technically feasible, and secure method of allowing voters to cast e-votes.
Sponsors
Background
Motions to allow proxy voting at Green Party of Canada (GPC) Biannual General Meetings (BGMs) were tabled at the 2008 and 2010 BGMs, but were rejected. The thrust behind these motions was the observation that most GPC members are unable to attend BGMs, and therefore are unable to participate in voting from the floor of the meeting.
The two previous resolutions noted that, in the absence of a proxy or on-line voting system that would allow non-attendees to vote on motions, the GPC was left open to decisions being voted on by a minority of members. This
the GPCs self-image as a grassroots party. Indeed, it has been observed that the GPC may have the lowest member participation rate of any major party.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the GPC committed itself to reducing the carbon emissions of party operations, including travel. At the 2012 BGM, motion G12-D02 (Green and Ethical purchasing for GPC) was passed. Part of this motion declared “All travel should be by the lowest carbon output per
passenger mile, whenever possible, and, in all cases, carbon emissions should be off-set”.
To summarize, this motion proposes that the GPC bylaws should be amended to allow online voting at BGC conventions. This measure is technically feasible, and has been pursued before (most notably in the recent Liberal Party leadership race). Based on fact that the GPC bills itself as a grassroots party, on the principle of fair and equal opportunity for GPC members to express their views, and the policy that the GPC will seek the lowest possible carbon footprint for its operations, electronic voting is a logical step in the evolution of the GPC BGM.
*****************************************
FOOTNOTES
1) One comment on the 2010 motion pointed out that “…..the Green Party membership has the worst democratic voting average than anyone can expect from a party boasting of doing politics differently and concerned with the imminent danger of climate change”. The poster went on to say “If we insist on having BGMs and at these BGMs make decisions from the floor of the convention then it is required that we do everything we can to ensure your Green Party member right to vote on those concerns. We do have a post-BGM ratification vote but since the voting percentage is less than 20% and in some cases less than 10% this does not solve the problem”.
2) See
http://www.eui.eu/news/2013/02-12-internetvotingasuccessintwoeuropeancou... for successful e-vote examples in Estonia and Switzerland.
3) http://www.greenparty.ca/party/documents/constitution
Party Commentary