Chlorophyll

There has been talk among a few rather excitable Greens about an upcoming "secret election." In their own explanation, it comes out that this is, in fact, not a secret election at all. It's a secret ballot in a well-publicized election for the Steering Committee.

So, why have a secret ballot? Several reasons.

- We've always had secret ballots. Granted, "We've always done it that way" isn't much of a reason in and of itself, but it does provide context and precedent. Contrast this with the way it's being presented as new development, as though this was a new thing.

- The Coordinating Committee decided to delegate this decision to the SC in the bylaws. Certainly anyone could propose that this be changed, but they would first have to recognize that this was not a secretive or arbitrary situation.

- The reason the SC decided this was the possibility of animosity and retribution between SC members and CC members who didn't vote for them, or between CC members who voted for different SC candidates.

That said, there are also a number of reasons to have an open ballot.

- CC delegates are just that: delegates. Their purpose is to reflect the opinion of their states. Without an open ballot, that's difficult to verify.

- If we can't differ on votes and still work together, we've got serious problems. We're supposed to be about diversity.

All in all, I'd say the two sides are pretty evenly balanced, with a slight leaning towards open ballots. However, I also must say that the shrill and alarmist way the folks on this side have approached this issue does nothing for their case.