Strategic Voting and Lessons Learned
Wilhelm Gunter
First, I would like to offer a hearty "well-done" to the winners of the Saskatchewan Parliamentary elections yesterday. Addy Lawrence, and Karsten Skaries, both crossed the finish line ahead of me, the latter beating me out by just a hair. I wish the two of you all the best - I will be gunning for you in the next election, and I will doing all I can to prevent a repeat of last night.
What happened last night? Well, it was a case of Strategic Voting putting both Lawrence and Skaries into Parliament, with me sitting on the outside. Is this a case me eating sour grapes? Not in the least! I am proponent of strategic voting, for several reasons:
1. It answers the question, "Which party can best mobilize their memberships?"
2. It provides drama as the above question is answered in real time! I was up until 3 am EST watching the results come in. There were several races which came down to the last minute,
literally, mine included. It was on-the-edge-of-your-seat anticipation. (Sure, I was defeated, but the drama was still there, nonetheless!)
3. It STILL forces the candidates to buid their voting base. If I had not secured 8 of my 9 votes on my own, the entire issue of the morality of Strategic Voting would have been moot. Strategic Voting only became relevant because, first I gathered around me those who believed in my platform and appreciated my Parliamentary efforts and results. The Canadian Progressive Front would not have 'wasted' a vote on me if I didn't first give myself a chance to win.
4. For parties who engage in this practice, their results essentially cancel each other out.
So I can walk away knowing that, in all likelihood, I lost because those who did win, had more supporters. True democracy in action!
However, I have learned some lessons in campaigning. I ran this election on my own, reaching out to voters and friends, asking for their vote, writing articles, and running advertisements. It was fun! However, the fact that I did it alone hurt me. Real life issues crop up, and I had to work last night from 5 pm to 1 am EST. During that time, I had 2 PMs in game, both requesting moving tickets. Needless to say, I did not get their votes - these were both new eCitizens who no longer lived in Saskatchewan, but still desired to vote for me. (The irony is, I first met them when they were Saskatchewan residents, but I encouraged them to leave, because without a hospital, it was mostly senseless to remain!) For the next campaign, I will need to bring at least one other person alongside me to ensure that there is always someone able to respond to voters the entire day.
So, to those who did vote for me - I sincerely thank you. While I did not win, you showed me that my efforts do matter to you. I will continue to work for you, and other newborn Saskatchewan eCitizens. Together, we will make eCanada stronger! And we will help eCanada to make our enemies shrudder!
Wilhelm Gunter
MP for Saskatchewan, November '09
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Comments
Gratz!!!!
Good article. Voted 🙂
Voted - for your candid look at the elections
Good luck next time Wilhelm.
wilhelm, it was an intense battle for Saskatchewan to be sure. For awhile, I came to terms with the fact that I was not going to be a congressman again. You were indeed very close and I wish you the best next time.
Karsten Skeries
DAL Party President
Wilhem is a hero!
that race was decided at 2:59. Good luck next time ;_)
e Canada congress is has lost a champion and in turn e Canada has lost..
Well fought Wilhelm, i will keep my citizen alive just to vote for you next term. 🙂
I sent a couple votes Addy's way last minute to help seal the deal.
I thought you hated elections, Rylde
Doesn't mean that I don't have sway over those that do. Am I underestimated at every turn.
Sorry mate for my wrong command 🙁
If i didnt order that last vote to the wrong place, it would of gotten you in for sure xO
TP: you've already apologized several times! you're forgiven!
enough already! 😛
Wilhelm, I was there two elections ago, losing out on the XP tie-breaker, its BRUTAL, but one month is a short wait. Thanks for your article, its bang-on, you need to politic and drama makes for good news!
panda still SVU'd himself ahead of scrabman though.
@ i agree SVUs are a welcome addition to congress elections and im proud to be the first party president in Canada to put them into use 😃
Scorpius is a noob ... DAL wasted 8 votes just to get one guy in in BC ...
My votes from my self, my gf, and my best friend... something that scorpius never have, and never will.
Did i not say not to use any SVU for me? I'll get my own job done
teeheehee, TP. 😉
panda i never said you did it as the expense of others haha i simply stated a fact. you used SVUs to get elected in the last minute. dont deny that. i never said anything other then that fact 😛
and your right panda. my gf and friends will never be nerdy enough to play this game with me 😛
I love verbal sparring matches 😉
lol Scorpius I have a girl who listen to me, when you ur balls drop u'll understand. But for now go play with your mommy
SVU = Strategic voting unit. I just decided to vote last minute 🙂
panda you can lecture me about maturity when you stop getting your panties in a wad and sending me angry PMs over nothing