All articles tagged with #electoral system
The UK government plans to lower the voting age to 16 for all elections, aiming to boost democratic trust and align voting rights across Britain, with the change requiring parliamentary approval and reflecting a global trend where most countries set the voting age at 18.
Nebraska lawmakers rejected a proposal to switch to a winner-take-all electoral vote system, a move pushed by Donald Trump to prevent a repeat of Biden winning an electoral vote in the state's 2nd District. The Biden campaign also got involved, reflecting the significance of every electoral vote in a tight presidential race. This comes amid a broader debate over electoral systems in states like Maine, where a similar split-vote system exists.
Far-right podcaster Charlie Kirk's tweet prompted Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen to support a bill to change the state's system for presidential elections in order to deny Democrats a single electoral vote that could decide the presidency. The bill aims to switch Nebraska from a split electoral college vote system to a winner-takes-all approach, aligning it with 48 other states. This move comes as Kirk highlighted the potential impact of Nebraska's electoral votes on the upcoming presidential election, leading to a swift response from the governor and opposition from Democrats.
Hong Kong's district council elections, which barred opposition candidates, saw the lowest turnout in decades, with only 27.5% of eligible voters participating. The elections were held under a new electoral system that ensures only "patriots" loyal to Beijing can hold office. The electoral overhaul, part of China's efforts to reshape Hong Kong, has been criticized for stifling political opposition and freedoms. Many voters were discouraged by the lack of political diversity and viewed the elections as unfair or illegitimate. Despite the government's efforts to boost voter numbers, the low turnout raises questions about the legitimacy of the new system.
Brazilian hacker Walter Delgatti testified before a congressional inquiry, claiming that former President Jair Bolsonaro asked him to tamper with an electronic voting machine during the 2022 presidential campaign to demonstrate vulnerabilities in Brazil's electoral system. Delgatti stated that Bolsonaro offered him a pardon and a blank check to carry out the task. However, Delgatti admitted that he was unable to manipulate the voting machine as requested. Bolsonaro's defense denied the allegations, while his allies expressed concern over the potential consequences. Bolsonaro has faced multiple investigations for his attacks on the voting system and alleged involvement in encouraging supporters to storm government buildings.