There is a positive in a negative preference
Most people do not like being stung by bees, or having their limbs bitten off by sharks. Nevertheless, most people would rather be stung by a bee, than have their arm bitten off by a shark.
This is an example of the ranking of negative preferences. When someone thinks about this example, they will realise that they do understand what negative preferences are, and that they are already in the habit of ranking them in their daily lives. They should also realise that they are able to apply such rankings to their STV voting, if they wish to make the maximum use of their vote.
It seems that various candidates and, also Prof Janine Hayward, think it is helpful to put forward various turns of phrase, or colloquial expressions, to help people understand STV. Yet invariably these only muddy the waters, and can also be patently incorrect, as in the case of Prof Hayward’s slogan ‘‘Only rank those you rate,’’ which completely ignores negative preferences.
In the ODT (20.10.25), Andrew Simms suggests people add later preferences for ‘‘someone you can live with’’, yet in reality most people will be able to go on living with whoever is elected mayor. Both Simms’ advice and Sophie Barker’s advice (also on page 4) ‘‘if you don’t want them in, don’t give them a vote’’ are also lacking in a similar way to Prof Hayward’s, in that they ignore the ranking of negative preferences.
The best advice for STV voting is really the simplest, just rank candidates according to your preferences. And if you want to use your vote to its maximum potential, rank all of your preferences.
Malcolm Moncrief-Spittle
Dunedin
Sign me up
Re the STV voting system. I must start by saying I do not support either Mr Simms or Ms Barker but I do feel that Mr Simms was robbed by the STV system.
In my view, when 60% of the voters selected Mr Simms as first choice then he should be the winner. I realise that this is the way the system works but if more voters had wanted Ms Barker then they would have selected her as first choice. Second and third choices are just second and third choices.
This leads me to ask why do we need such a complicated system that takes days to reach a result when it should be hours. My preference is one person one vote, the candidate with the most votes: wins simple and fair. Until this system of STV is scrapped and FPP reinstated I will not be wasting my time voting. If someone has a petition for change where do I sign?
Ivan McPhail
Middlemarch
Many thanks
The Dunedin Area Citizens Association Inc wish to sincerely thank all candidates, both Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council, who supported us in attending our rounds of Meet the Candidates evenings.
These evenings were very informative from the candidates and from the questions asked from the various audiences. It was an event which we shall remember through all the work and time put in to a worthy cause for candidates to be able to face the voting public and for voters to get an understanding of what each candidate was about.
Having such a variety and numbers of candidates made decision-making rather difficult for some and to be able to see each person was of value in decision-making.
We also congratulate all those who were successful and wish them well and trust they will do the best by our city.
Jennifer Thomas
Secretary, Dunedin Area Citizens Assn Inc
Goodnight from me and goodnight from him
My time as a Dunedin city councillor has come to an end.
I have very much enjoyed my last 12 years working hard representing the people of Dunedin.
With my various roles including chair of Economic Development along with my time serving on various community boards and committees with a focus on championing causes in the best interest of Dunedin. I feel like I have made a real difference.
It is great that Dunedin has a new mayor in Sophie Barker.
I was happy to be a strong supporter of hers and I am hopeful that the new council will settle in and start working positively together.
Dunedin is a great city and I look forward to watching how it progresses, grows and continues to be an amazing place.
To my former colleagues, some who retained and others who have lost their positions on council, I wish them all well for the future.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank the many wonderful and talented DCC staff that go to work each day with a focus of improving the council and the city!
In closing, I would like to thank many people for their wonderful messages of support, their calls, and emails and for those stopping to chat in the street, pub or at various events.
Many people who I don’t even know, have reached out or stopped me to say thank you and comment on the election.
This has all been extremely humbling and sincerely appreciated.
Now, on to the next chapter in my life! One door closes and another one opens...
Andrew Whiley
Dunedin
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: letters@odt.co.nz
