How do you you feel about snap elections?

[purplepoppy]

President Macron has just announced a snap election with voting to take place next month. Similarly, in the UK, Sunak also called a snap one recently with voting again occurring next month. This only gives parties and supporters a short window of campaigning.

This is in contrast to the American system, where every day is campaign day, and people are exposed to high intensity campaigning all year round. I put it to you. This is the reason you see more polarisation and extremism in the states than the UK.

[MisterWack]

My honest opinion: Politicians who kept their promises are more likely to win the American system, without being held to campaigning perhaps the European system sees less innovation…

The issue with American politics is the lobbyists, partisan news networks, house members seemingly only working for the social media followers / wanting spotlight attention more than passing meaningful bills and resolutions. Corruption helping the very rich top and punishing the very bottom keeping them in line and knowing their place it seems… This system is not a good system, it is a flawed system indeed especially the culture wars.

The point is, America is flawed for numerous reasons and the quick election thing would be an unprecedented shift that would take time to implement. Imagine you didn’t know who’s stance on school shootings / pro choice were and you elected someone you didn’t actually get to analyze well enough due to the short window of voting? I can’t see this system being helpful in modern day America.

[D_Bone_Steak]

I think you're onto something. Flick on the television or click on your average new's source here in the States and you get browbeat with their agendas 24/7, every day of the month, every minute of every hour.

It's enough to drive normal people to an insane level of fervor, and it doesn't matter if you are Pro-, Anti-, or even indifferent to whatever "current thing" happens to be.

Yeah... you're onto something.

[FreyaRed]

Government ruling parties have their so called "iron electorate" that votes always because of benefits particular party grants them. Such snap election serve the purpose the iron electorate appears in 99% to election while electorate of other parties should have low election participation, due inabilities of those parties to mobilize their electorate quickly enough. This effect is know and I'm sure it has some professional name, Macron think it will work in favor of him but I think it's too late for him. Sunak isn't the first choice of real conservatives and was just smuggled to sit of PM. Now it's over for him, no matter what they do he will lose even by conservative electorate.
Snap elections are just last resort to remain in power for parties which have highly decreasing poll statistic

[dustybiker2]

Prefer them. Prevents nuisance snail mail and screen advertisements. They alone put holes in what is left of rainforests.

[AviatorTom]

I wish we Americans had snap elections. Instead we have elections every November, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday. And campaigning in the US is a full-time job, 24/7/365. Not just in election years. As soon as the polls close on election day and the winners are announced, the winners start campaigning for the next election. It's totally annoying.

[LiamS95]

I agree with Tom.

[DJB72]

I hate them. First they finally let expats vote, then a "snap" election doesn't give us a chance to get the paperwork sorted to get the vote recognised.

Little cow-worshipping fucker. Vote the piece of 💩 out please. And Starmer as well.

Is the Monster Raving Loony Party still going?

[goaded]

I'm registered, but I'm sure I have some more hoops to jump through. Try it anyway.

Doesn't the Tory law change mean that all the rich people who pushed brexit then fled the country get to make contributions to their favourite party?

[DJB72]

Don't care. I'm not rich and I left loooong before Brexit

[goaded]

Don't you still get a vote?

[DJB72]

Technically, yes. But actually getting the necessary paperwork for my proxy to cast it in time with a snap election is near impossible

[goaded]

https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote

"You’ll need:

the address where you are registered to vote
your National Insurance number or other identity documents, for example a passport
the specific date of the election or referendum you want to make a postal vote, if you only want a one-off postal vote

You’ll also need to upload a photo of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper."

[DJB72]

They emailed me this morning to help set it up, thanks.

From South Africa a postal vote wouldn't get there in time for the election after this one, so I'm going proxy - my best mate still lives up there.

[goaded]

Oh, yes, me too. I expect I can manage postal, it's not so far away.

[abc3643]

France and the UK are unitary governments while the United States is a federation. The leader of the national government in a unitary state has more power over everyone than the leader of the national government in a federation. In particular, in the US, states control their elections.

[DrPepper12]

Our constitution is a suicide pact. The sooner we come to terms with that the real work can begin. Parliamentary systems are the best among all forms of democracies.

[mstbooblover]

Interesting observation Poppy. I never considered the importance of the campaigning period the way you do. Mind that campaigning the whole year around must become utterly boring for everyone...

[NathanDavis]

"bread and circus" ... for the people

that's what we call it around here

[elizamichale1]

Well it's amazing to see u tbh... u know sooo much about everything it seems... I hav a very little interest in politics n I feel it too boring... but you... you r something...

[exitseven]

I wonder if the incumbent has a bigger advantage in a snap election because they are already a known quantity and they probably are running the game?

[CaptainSmartass]

To be honest, I'm not a fan of politics full stop. I'd rather see them in jail.

Simples...