CSM – wasting a vote? « A Scientist's Life in Eve

CSM – wasting a vote?

by A scientists life in Eve on Mar.05, 2012, under Eve online

OK, so I’m pretty sure that any CSM candidate who was going to reply, has replied.

Those who didn’t reply are as follows:

Blake Armitage - fellow Eve Block Pack member
Dovinian
Greene Lee
Hans Jagerblitzen
Lyris Nairn
Meissa Anunthiel
michael boltonIII
Mintrolio
PsychoBitch
riverini
Roc Wieler - fellow Eve Block Pack member
Seleene
Skippermonkey
Sollana
StarConquer212
The Mittani
Tiger Would
Trebor Daehdoow
UAxDEATH
Voloses

So 20 out of 40, or exactly 50%. In many ways this is probably a better response rate than I was expecting, but it still feels a little disappointing to have received no response from some of the above.

Although I do like a number of the above candidates, and in the last election I actually voted for two of them (Trebor and Seleene), I’ve decided that I’m not going to vote for somebody who doesn’t engage with me. Now perhaps that’s a bit petty and/or unrealistic – after all there are thousands of Eve players and just imagine how clogged up some of these people’s inboxes must be. I’m perfectly aware that I’m nobody special, but at election time I’d still like to think that even a “sorry, I’m so busy campaigning right now, please read my campaign thread for details of who I am and what I stand for” response would have been enough.

So, that leaves the other 20 who did respond, and therefore the list from which I’ve choosen who to vote for:

Akirei Scytale
Alekseyev Karrde
Blackberry Bold
corebloodbrothers
Darius III
Draco Llasa
Elise Randolph
Fon Revedhort
Issler Dainze
Kelduum Revaan
Korvin
leboe
Mike Azariah
Mu’ad Diib
Prometheus Exenthal
Skye Aurorae
T’amber Anomandari Demaleon
Two step
Vincent Athena
Xenuria

I have included Xenuria in the list of people who responded – even if it was simply to tell me he liked turtles. It was still a sign of life and therefore a response. I’m going to vote based on the responses I received to my questions. Again, perhaps overly simplistic, but that’s what I’m going to do – they are my votes after all.

DISCLAIMER: I’m not writing this to tell people how or how not to vote. I’m simply sharing with the blogging community (and anybody bored enough to read this) who I’m going to vote for and why. Use your vote how you will, whether that’s because you’re expected to vote for somebody (e.g. you’re a Goon) or even if you choose to not vote at all. Voting is your choice completely, and that’s how it should always be.

Before I put my marker in the sand and say who I’m going to vote for, I think it’s worth addressing the “wasted vote” comments.

Many people have said that if you vote for one of the non-block candidates, then you’re wasting your vote. I disagree. This is not a vote for policitial parties, it’s not Conservatives vs Labour (for the UK) or Republicans vs Democrats (for the US). It is, for me, about electing a body to represent the player’s views to CCP. The block candidates are probably all home and dry already, and it will ultimately for them be about who gets the chair position, which will (realistically) be Mittens. Trebor recently posted about how important the chair position is. It isn’t.

So, if the block candidates all have hundreds (or even thousands) of votes already in the bag from loyal supporters within their alliances, wouldn’t I actually be wasting my vote by voting for them? Maybe, maybe not.

In elections within the UK, I (rightly or wrongly, don’t shoot me) vote for the political party who I want to govern the country with a majority. To do this, they need to get a controlling majority in parliment. The CSM doesn’t work this way. Therefore, when I vote for the CSM, I’m going to vote for individuals who are likely to represent the things in Eve that affect me and mean most to me, whether they’re a block candidate or not.

I may be about to waste 4 votes, however maybe my 4 votes will make a difference, and if a small percentage of the accounts eligible to vote also “wasted” their vote on one of these candidates, they’d get an alternate seat at the least.

Enough of that.

Based on the responses received to my questions, I’m pleased to announce that I will be voting for (in alphabetical order only):

Above all – my best wishes to all candidates who are standing for CSM in the elections, which open for voting in only a couple of days.

For those who are successful in securing a seat (alternate or full) – congratulations and I hope you take the responsibility seriously, whether you and I agree on things or not.

Also a note to all those who did respond – if you’re going to fanfest please send me an evemail and I’d be more than pleased to meet you and buy you a drink to say thanks for responding to my questions.