Red Room Where the Writers Are

National election listing of where to vote

Election excitement is still in the air.  Two days ago Natalie came home from high school and announced that she had gotten the most votes for the position of classroom president, but she didn't get the job.  She was very indignant.  Being originally from The States she has "winner take all" in her blood.  She received 15 votes, her girl friend 14 votes, a fellow in the class 13 votes and two other female students tied at 12 votes.

Once the votes were counted the next step consisted of putting the names of the five top vote getters into a hat. After a random draw by the five contesters ; the fellow won the position of class president.  Go figure.

When Natalie protested that that wasn't fair to her as she got the most votes everyone just shrugged and said, "In the schools, this is how it has always been done."

Coincidentally I've been reading an excellent analysis of the election system in the U.S.A. by Steven Hill entitled "Fixing elections The Failure of America's Winner Take All Politics."  As best I could I explained that there are many ways to make sure that elections can be designed so that the winner can't rig the system.  Maybe  drawing names from the hat is a random technique used so that the voting system can't so easily be rigged.  In this way students are learning how the Greek national elections are handled by practicing in schools.

She wasn't impressed.  From what she said it took a lot of gumption for her to run for class representative.  "I even made a speech; all the candidates had to make them.  Mine was really short.  "If you want to make a responsible vote, vote for me."  She said she made a point to smile and act relaxed even though she wasn't feeling at all relaxed.

She rebounded well because yesterday she ran for the high school's 15 member student council.  (Greek high school includes the sophomore, junior and senior classes.)  She was prepared.  She made a few signs to hang up at school and asked me to take her a bit early.  While she was hanging up her signs she met some sophomores who were pleased to meet her.  They said, "We'll definitely vote for you because we don't know anyone else!"

Today she will find out if she was elected into the student council.  Once the 15 members have been established a vote will be held among them.  Whoever the 15 members choose will become student council president.

Student council president is the seat Natalie has her eye on now.  I hope she'll win.  I'll find out in about two hours.  Cross your fingers!