I would like to open discussion on a proposal for an Open Convention.
They should allow two rounds of votes after the candidates do their speeches and present their arguments for why they should be the pick. The first would be a NON-BINDING ANONYMOUS vote as to who the candidate should be. The second round would be a BINDING TRANSPARENT vote.
Constraint: To vote in the binding vote, you HAVE TO vote in the first non-binding anonymous vote. Why? Because DNC leadership might see such a vote as challenging the choice that they want to prevail, and send out the threat that anybody participating in the first anonymous vote would get kneecapped in their political careers (<gtin>possibly even in their private professional ones too!</grin>) So by requiring all have to vote in the first that vote in the second, you prevent the possibility of that threat being made and participation in the anonymous vote being suppressed.
The point of the anonymous vote? If a majority of delegates say in their heart of hearts they feel candidate/ticket X is the strongest one (hopefully on an electoral basis!), it would give them a lot more courage to vote for that candidate in the second-round transparent vote.
If there is a significant discrepancy between the two votes, it would indicate: “Sorry guys; I’d love to vote for candidate/ticket X, but I’m being threatened…”, and we will then know that the interests of representative government were not served. I think many not wanting to send that terrible message would stick by their first choice.
Another possible outcome that would show that the interests of representational government are being served might be that there is a majority for a plausible candidate in the anonymous non-binding round, and on the second round the lead of that candidate grows since delegates might say, “what the hey -let’s do this!” and they then throw their minority vote on the anonymous round over to the leading candidate on the binding vote round.
The all important question on it should be: “Which slate do you feel has the best electoral chance of winning?”
An additional question can be: “Which slate would be most likely to garner the greatest number of Senate and House wins?”
Paper ballot details:
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a warning in red+bold should state that the selection of more than one choice will invalidate the selection
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an instruction can be added that an abstention can be indicated by making no choice
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if an error is made during marking of the ballot, it can be cross-cut shredded on the spot and a new one provided