Hi Robin,

what do you mean with "democracy generally"? You mean the USA?

The first free elections in Cambodia after decades of  turmoil were held in 1993, organized the the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia. But voter turnout remains high, in spite of a lot of logistic difficulties. Have a look:

1993 – 86.8%, 1998 – 93.7%, 2003 – 83.2%, 2008 - 75.2%

It was a big surprise in the media here that "the great democracy of the USA" had a president elected with 44% voter participation (if I remember the figure correctly for a Bush election).


I agree, "Low voter turn-out is not a problem that is unique to NCSG" - so what is it then?

And I agree again: that is what we have to figure out - now, after the struggled to draft the charter, then for the vote, and now the charter accepted, I hope we can do this more.


Norbert


On 08/31/2011 09:02 AM, Robin Gross wrote:
[log in to unmask]" type="cite">
This election turn-out is actually quite in-line with democracy generally - or perhaps a bit better.

For example, in recent federal election, the voter turn-out in California was only 23% of eligible voters.  That's common.

Low voter turn-out is not a problem that is unique to NCSG.

However, let's not let that stop us from trying to figure out how to achieve greater participation from the entire membership.  :-)

Thanks to all for this achievement!

Best,
Robin




On Aug 30, 2011, at 6:45 PM, nhklein wrote:

On 08/31/2011 03:38 AM, Ron Wickersham wrote:
[log in to unmask]" type="cite">On Mon, 29 Aug 2011, Avri Doria wrote:
[snip]

[log in to unmask]" type="cite"> For
future on votes of this importance (an issue that would make/break
the exisistence of the NCSG) i would suggest we ask that paper
ballots be mailed to the eligible voters.  This is no small task or
expense, but pales with the expenses ICANN incurrs in holding the
board meetings around the workd and other routine expenses.

-ron

Please don't - e-mail I get immediately, paper mail about once a week, mostly useless advertisements etc. - too difficult to sort out if there is occasionally something important.

If someone cannot handle e-mail - are they able to actively analyze the questions we as non-commercials, are facing in ICANN?

The poor participation of the "active" membership in the election requires some soul searching about the non-commercial public's interest and commitment to get and to be involved. The Intellectual Property lobby have their interest, so they act.

The 61.9% is not the result of poor technology - especially considering the huge "management" input by Avri.


Norbert 
-- 
A while ago, I started a new blog:

...thinking it over... after 21 years in Cambodia
http://www.thinking21.org/

continuing to share reports and comments from Cambodia.

Norbert Klein
[log in to unmask]
Phnom Penh / Cambodia




IP JUSTICE
Robin Gross, Executive Director
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-- 
A while ago, I started a new blog:

...thinking it over... after 21 years in Cambodia
http://www.thinking21.org/

continuing to share reports and comments from Cambodia.

Norbert Klein
[log in to unmask]
Phnom Penh / Cambodia