Elections?

From BeyondVoting

One wikier recently commented:

"...you call your project BeyondVoting, and yet one thing I keep thinking ... is that the community boards will never be truly empowered nor democratic until its members are elected directly by the People. The city gov't should draw it's authority from the community board rather then the other way around."

This is a common and reasonable thought. How important is an election to improving local governance? What methods can we consider for filling the sears?

• appointment by Borough President and City Council members (current system);

• public selection through popular elections;

• online elections

• other (wikiers, help out here).

Here are a few area to consider:

• Cost -

• Timing - What action initiates an election cycle?

• Quality of Applicants -

• Qualifications of Applicants -

• Experience of Appointed vs. Elected Judges -

Other questions include:

• Who may vote in an election?

• What is the term of office?

• Who conducts the election?

• How does on get on the ballot - Election nomination / seconding / petitions?