Election reform is overdue

Election reform is overdue. Many issues could do with discussion and fine tuning.

Elections on Tuesdays may be traditional, but even Mondays might be easier for some to take off work, if Saturdays and Fridays cannot be used for religious reasons. Some countries even make it a public holiday.

Term limits need to be discussed. The two-year term of House Representatives means that right after elections candidates need to start worrying about financing the next election.

Should Senators be able to stand for election after a certain age? What happens when a Senator shows signs of aging and loses influence?

Preferential or ranked voting is used in many countries. This enables voters to disagree on some issues with the party that they would otherwise feel they have to vote for — or that they may feel they unable to support. This latter could be dangerous, if votes can be invalidated by rules that are brought in to enforce this. There is plenty of room for independent members of the House of Representatives, even if the presidential candidates remain at two, as at present. Of course, campaign financing is a huge issue which needs to be investigated.

Voters must feel that elections are to be trusted and that our various representatives can and will do what is best for the country — if government by the people is really for the people.

Sonia Ettinger

Iowa City