Tweet the vote .mx 09 (#ttvmx2009)

While driving for hours yesterday I presented an idea to @nelisalr that said it might not be a very good one because it might discredit IFE I disagree and believe this might bring a bit more of transparency and citizen involvement in the process.

Here's the idea for your consideration: Let's all "Tweet the vote"!

I'm confident that most people in Mexico would indeed go to the polls this coming Sunday. I'm proposing that we not only do that, but keep watching closely when the polls close, the results are tallied and published (this should start around 7:30 p.m. depending on how fast our neighbors can tally our votes).

I suggest that you go check and tweet the results on your poll using the following format:

PAN XXX PRI XXX PRD XXX PT XXX PVEM XXX PC XXX NA XXX PS XXX (CPM XXX CSM XXX) CNR XXX VN XXX EDO DT SEC TC #ttvmx2009

The (2-4)-character acronyms represent the various parties and (coalitions) as they are registered at the IFE CRN stands for "Candidatos no registrados and VN means "Votos nulos".

EDO should be replaced by the 3-character state code that corresponds to you according to ISO 3166-2:MX

DT should be replaced by the 2-digit district code that corresponds to you according to where you vote.

SEC should be replaced by the 3-digit section code that corresponds to you according to where you vote.

TC should be replaced by 2 characters depending to the type of voting poll according to where you vote. (BAsica, COntigua, EXtraordinaria or ESpecial)

For me this would turn into something like this:

PAN XXX PRI XXX PRD XXX PVEM XXX NA XXX PS XXX (CSM XXX) CNR XXX VN XXX ZAC 04 475 CO #ttvmx2009

Obviously you can also snap a picture to "Flick the vote", post this on your wall to "Facebook the vote", blog about it to "Blog the vote" or anything else you see fit.

I'd like to clarify I fully trust my neighbors and the IFE to do a stellar job on July 5th, 2009. I'm proposing this to make the whole process more fun and involving for the citizens not counting the votes themselves.

Nulling your vote in Mexico?... NOT

A lot have been written and said on how "cool and hip" would it be if we all go and null our vote in the upcoming election here in my beloved Mexico this July 5th, 2009.

From the get go I find this proposal nonsensical for a couple of reasons:

1. Our political system is based in the concept of "mayoría relativa" meaning that if every person but one in a district, state or country goofed up their votes and just one got it right; that wise single voter would've singlehandedly elected a deputy for the whole district, a governor for the whole state or even a president for the whole country.
2. The current system won't even make a distinction for your "voto en blanco", as it stands today it just means you don't know how to vote.

I've been "funcionario de casilla" before and that's why I understand this. Seems to me like many "political analysts" might have not been.

As an exercise go read what your neighbors have been trained to do this next Sunday on their "Manual del funcionario de casilla". It varies a bit based on the number of parties' coalitions in your district:

• One coalition (PDF)
• Two coalitions (PDF)

Focus on Chapter V "Conteo de los votos y llenado del acta" if you have to skim through it.

I don't want this post to run any longer so let me summarize. I urge you NOT to null your vote. Know who your candidates are, learn what the different parties proposals are, find your voting poll and VOTE.

I do agree that the system is a bit broken and the offers are lacking but I believe it is due to how we forget about it during 3 years and then try to fix it on election day. Go vote, make sure you remain politically conscious for the next 3 years and keep your elected representatives accountable. Hopefully we can fix it for the next one if we all participate.

If you're still so inclined to null your vote please go check page 72 in the above manuals. Helpful IFE gives you some creative ideas and examples to do so. Or better yet vote "alex_mayorga" I'd love to have more votes other than my own for this election =P

PS: it might look like a lot of reading but is for the greater good. Besides you might have wasted the same time somewhere else on the net =)