We all know that our process for electing our US President is flawed; it’s far too impacted by a candidate’s financial position, through biased and unfair media reporting, and highly variable factual conditions. Oh, and also our 2-party system only creates division, never compromise or reason. And now with COVID-19 and our worldwide pandemic, we can expect a “virtual” election experience.
For the past 10 years or so, I’ve been half-jokingly talking about what the next presidential election would look like if I could somehow possess control over the process and procedures.
Of course there are many holes in this concept. But with some refinement, I feel that this will prove to generate overwhelming votership participation records. Here’s how to create the perfect virtual presidential election.
My version is somewhat gamified, using a reality television concept to engage participation amongst voters, while exposing the true character of our candidates, giving voters a far more transparent view of the candidates’ ability to lead in stressful times. This, in conjunction with the concept of Plurality Voting will create a far more effective process for nominating and electing presidents moving forward.
SEND CANDIDATES TO A REMOTE ISLAND From the primaries throughout the final election, all candidates must travel out to a remote island with a small panel of moderators… and a film crew.
SEPARATE CANDIDATES INTO TEAMS All candidates are divided into two groups, and not by political affiliation, but each group will be evenly mixed according to their affiliated parties.
TEAM CHALLENGES AND DEBATES Each week, the two teams are required to participate in virtual debates (of course), but also other team challenges a’ la Survivor or other similar traditional reality television shows. These challenges will require teamwork, diplomacy, reasoning… Since each team will end with one Republican and one Democrat each, it will be important that the teams work together to win every challenge. Independent candidates will be mixed as well, and the final surviving independent candidate will make it to the electoral college. This gives voters the opportunity to evaluate each individual on their own terms. Unethical candidates will be easily exposed. The last of any party affiliation will earn immunity lasting until the end of the show.
IN-APP VIRTUAL VOTING Voters will vote off members each week via sophisticated voting app. Of course, the app is going to be the biggest hurdle, here. It must be secure and flawless.
BRING HOME OUR FINAL CANDIDATES As each team’s candidates are voted off, we end up with our three top candidates. The show is going to be a grueling several weeks of survivorship, absent of luxuries, including showers or prepared meals, unless a team challenge offers them as a winner’s prize. Once we’re down to the final 3 candidates (one Republican, one Democrat, and one Independent), we’ll send them home, let them shower up and prepare for some final traditional debates, and then vote for our new President of the United States.
Some additional perks might even include some very entertaining alliances that are bound to happen, watching candidates survive by eating bugs, and maybe even some romantic flings (you just never know)!!
Again, this concept needs massive refinement. But if you’d like to see this concept happen in our next election, share this story on your social channels and let’s build a viral conversation around it!
