[ALAC] Voting infrastructure rules

[JJS]

*Thanks Alan for proposing the change to 4), which I support (the rest to
remain as is).*
*Jean-Jacques.
*
2013/1/31 Alan Greenberg <alan.greenberg at mcgill.ca>

> Currently we have in place a set of rules (approved by the ALAC in
> June 2009) on how votes are to be conducted (that is votes that are
> not in reference to named individuals).
>
> Those rules are:
>
> 1.  As the vote is proceeding, we can see how many people have voted.
> 2.  As the vote is proceeding, we can see who has voted.
> 3.  As the vote is proceeding, we can see a tally of how the votes
> have been cast.
> 4.  When the vote is ended, we can see how each person has voted.
> 5.  The order of the options should not change as the vote proceeds.
> 6.  Outsiders who cannot vote can look at all of the above interim results.
>
> Rule 4 was there because previously, we had on some occasions used a
> BigPulse option to order the options so that the winning one was
> first. The rules were debated and approved because at the time, we
> seemd to used a semi-random set of voting parameters for each vote.
>
> Based on the last few votes, we seem to be back at the state of
> semi-random variations in each vote (the current ALS approval vote
> does not allow a voter to see who has already voted, the recent votes
> on ALAC statements on Thickwhois and IGO/INGO questions did allow
> viewing the list of those who had voted).
>
> Since we are in the process of cleaning up the overall ALAC rules, it
> makes sense to revisit this one prior to having staff adjust
> procedures to ensure that our rules are being met.
>
> So I ask whether these are the rules we want or if changes need to be made.
>
> I would suggest one change. Since these rules were created to have a
> similar effect as a face-to-face vote with all parties and observers
> in the same room, I would suggest the replacement of 4 with:
>
> 4. As the vote is proceeding, we can see how voted have voted.
>
> This was considered last time, but was not used due to a fear that
> seeing how people vote could influence later votes. My thoughts are
> that this is exactly what happens in a face-to-face vote and should
> not change because we are voting electronically.
>
> Does anyone have any thoughts on this. Specifically:
>
> A) Should we keep the current rules?
> B) Should we replace 4. as suggested?
> C) Any other changes you believe we should make?
>
> We regularly demand transparency of other parts of ICANN and
> particularly the Board. I think that we should use the same standard
> for ourselves.
>
> Alan
>
> _______________________________________________
> ALAC mailing list
> ALAC at atlarge-lists.icann.org
> https://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/alac
>
> At-Large Online: http://www.atlarge.icann.org
> ALAC Working Wiki:
> https://community.icann.org/display/atlarge/At-Large+Advisory+Committee+(ALAC)
>