6. What effects would the use of the short ballot have upon (a) the efficiency of government; (b) popular interest at elections; (c) the quality of the officials chosen?
7. Explain the difference between preferential voting, proportional representation, limited voting, and cumulative voting.
8. Explain the difference between corrupt and illegal practices at elections. Make a list of each.
9. What are some of the reasons why so many voters stay away from the polls on election day? Are the following excuses valid: “I do not approve of either political party”; “My vote doesn’t count for anything”; “I am too busy”; “I am not interested in politics”; “It is a rainy day and I might catch cold”; “I have an engagement to play golf”; “The polling place is too far away”; “I do not think any of the candidates worth voting for”?
10. What are some of the practical objections to making voting compulsory?
Topics for Debate
1. There should be an educational test for voting.
2. The failure to vote, in the absence of a valid excuse, should be punished by some appropriate penalty.
3. There should be a limit on the amount of money that may be legally spent by candidates in election campaigns.