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Understanding before voting

The idea: children could vote after showing that they understand the choices in an election.

This is a proposal for change, not a description of the rules today. Under this proposal, children would take an understanding check. Adults would not have to take it.

How would it work?​

A candidate is someone asking to be elected. A ballot lists the choices people can vote for.

  1. Before voting begins, each candidate writes two or three questions about their plans. They also provide explanations and a guide for scoring answers.
  2. The questions are checked publicly. They must be clear, fair, and similar in difficulty. They must not trick people.
  3. Independent services use artificial intelligence, or AI, to give the check and score answers using the same public guide. There would be several services, rather than one central test provider.
  4. Children get explanations and chances to try again. They can also ask an independent reviewer to check a decision. This is called an appeal.

The passing rule would be set independently of candidates. No single candidate could decide that a child is not allowed to vote.

An example​

A candidate proposes a new park. A question might ask, “What does this candidate want to build?”

You could answer, “A park, but I think we need a library more.” You understood the plan, even though you disagree. Agreeing with a candidate must never be required to pass.

How could mistakes be checked?​

A record would show the questions asked and how the answers were scored. A reviewer could use it to check for mistakes. It would show understanding of the material tested, not everything a person knows about politics.

Questions still to answer​

  • How many answers would someone need to get right?
  • Would children answer questions from every candidate, or a fair selection?
  • How could we check that different services score answers fairly?
  • Who would oversee question review and appeals?

Children who want to become elected leaders would take a separate check about the job. Read Voting and becoming an elected leader.

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