Why not have paper ballots for Voting in AMHA??

[minimomNC]

Here is why.

I got this information from AMHA today. This is for the 2007 elections for Directors for 5 regions.

This is fact, I have it straight from the person who put all of these facts and figures together. He also stuffed alot of envelops.

Region 8 674 ballots mailed out at the cost of $653.78 4 were returned for elections.

Region 9 1195 ballots mailed out at the cost of $1,159.15 11 were returned for elections.

Regions 10 432 ballots mailed out at the cost of $298.08 3 were returned for elections.

Region 11 244 ballots mailed out at the cost of $168.36 none were returned for elections

Region 13 408 ballots mailed out at the cost of $236.64 21 were returned for elections.

2953 ballots mailed out 39 returned.

How can anyone justify sending out paper ballots when its already proven that most people won't use them. This association has slowly but surely come back from almost bankruptcy, this is a huge waste of money if so few care enough to even vote for their own directors, and then complain that the directors won't even listen to them.

Check out the regions, you will find that Region 9 with only 11 votes returned is the states surrounding California. Are you surprised?

Editied to change the region number but to also say, I did not direct this to any one individual or to any one area. The reason for the question, are you surprised isn't about the region at all, its about the very low numbers that return their votes about the person that represents them on the AMHA board. All of the regions, not just one.

 

[Bluewater Minis]

Hmmmm, this is interesting... Yes, it is a huge expense for AMHA to incur, and members should cast their ballots. Especially since there are issues that are of concern for many members. With all the online capabilities these days, AMHA could save a ton of money figuring out an online voting system.

 

[ClickMini]

I think that is so sad, and also quite surprising. I am in region 8, and I did send in my ballot. I thought for sure that most of my friends did as well. I am just shocked at this result.

I do believe that if paper ballots went out with rule and bylaw change proposals AS WELL AS Director elections, there would be a better return rate.

 

[Neil]

Here is why.

I got this information from AMHA today. This is for the 2007 elections for Directors for 5 regions.

This is fact, I have it straight from the person who put all of these facts and figures together. He also stuffed alot of envelops.

Region 8 674 ballots mailed out at the cost of $653.78 4 were returned for elections.

Region 9 1195 ballots mailed out at the cost of $1,159.15 11 were returned for elections.

Regions 10 432 ballots mailed out at the cost of $298.08 3 were returned for elections.

Region 11 244 ballots mailed out at the cost of $168.36 none were returned for elections

Region 13 408 ballots mailed out at the cost of $236.64 21 were returned for elections.

2953 ballots mailed out 39 returned.

How can anyone justify sending out paper ballots when its already proven that most people won't use them. This association has slowly but surely come back from almost bankruptcy, this is a huge waste of money if so few care enough to even vote for their own directors, and then complain that the directors won't even listen to them.

Check out the regions, you will find that Region 8 with only 4 votes returned is the states surrounding California. Are you surprised?

Actually, Region 8 are the five states north of California (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska) but I get your point. Region 9 with California in it is certainly no better.

The real numbers are 2953 ballots mailed out 39 returned. And, when you stop and look this is only 5 out of 13 of the regions.

Thanks for putting the numbers together for us.

 

[bingo]

I am not sure what you mean by Region 8 and surrounding CA and not being surprised?

I still don't see why AMHA could not simply have the ballots availabled to those that call or email and request them as opposed to sending them out to members who might have only one horse and not show and not breed so therefore have no interest.

 

[RockRiverTiff]

Wow. Those are some pretty stiff numbers. Thanks for the information!

 

[disneyhorse]

Perhaps they could make voting online (and allow members to ask for a ballot to be mailed if they don't have online access) and they could submit with their member number for verification. That might save on some money.

I don't think either Registry makes enough use of the Internet! C'mon, get with the program! It will be best in the long run!

Andrea

 

[Heart L Ranch]

humm..... I am in Region 8 and I know I sent my ballot in too. My friend called me and we discussed the ballot since she dosen't really know the people she was going to vote for, she asked my opinion. Thats 3 including Amy.... I wonder if the numbers were correct?

 

[JMS Miniatures]

Perhaps they could make voting online (and allow members to ask for a ballot to be mailed if they don't have online access) and they could submit with their member number for verification. That might save on some money.

I don't think either Registry makes enough use of the Internet! C'mon, get with the program! It will be best in the long run!

Andrea

Wow now I can see why they don't mail out paper ballots. Those are too low of numbers to do that. I agree with Andrea, they need to have some type of voting system for members who can't go to convention to beable to vote on important issues, the internet looks like the best possibility.

 

[BeckyG]

Most Interesting.

Paper ballots do seem to be problematic.....

I think an Internet solution could work.

-Becky

 

[Katiean]

Paper ballots is a very expensive way to go. We are now in the electronic age. Why don't they email the ballots out (also include rule changes)? That way if we don't send it back we have no right to gripe about anything and the club is not out massive amounts of money.

 

[Charlotte]

YIKES! I knew the return of ballots was poor, but I sure didn't know it was THAT bad! Personally, I would rather see the association spend my money for other purposes.

they need to have some type of voting system for members who can't go to convention to beable to vote on important issues

I have always been of this mind too, but the more I learn the more I have concerns about people not reading material on submitted rule changes BEFORE casting a vote! It's been pretty obvious from posts here on LB that very few ever read 'official' information.

Charlotte

 

[Field-of-Dreams]

I'll be honest- when I got the ballot I did not vote. Why? I didn't KNOW any of these people. And the one person I did know I didn't like, so... I wimped out. OH!

Now, if it was something that a rule, by-law, etc, you can be doggone sure I'd vote!!

Lucy

 

[Michelle@wescofarms]

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but even if the nominee is running unapposed is a ballot is required to be sent out? If that is the case I would assume the actual number returned would be relatively low.

Personally, I appreciate anyone willing to take on these volunteer positions, so unless there is a strong objection to the person - like Lucy - if I do not know or like the person running I don't vote. I do read any information sent though.

Part of the problem in getting any rule change is the careful wording necessary to the committees - it cant' be vague in anyway or open to be misinterpreted - it will get shot down if it is not crystal clear. So to have paper ballots available it really needs to be clearly spelled out specifically how this will be addressed.

Online voting is the way to go, I just don't know if there is a precedent or model that could be modified enough to be acceptable to get to a general vote.

 

[Anne ABC]

Is there any possible way a ballot could be printed in the World magazine and all ballots submitted would be counted using our membership numbers?

That way AMHA would not be paying additional mailing cost to mail the ballots and they could be assured every member had the opportunity to vote if they chose to.

Just wondering if that might be possible?

 

[crponies]

Although I am not an AMHA member, I thought I would mention this: those of you who say to go electronic need to consider the fact that there are still plenty of people who do not do things online. So, a provision should be made for them to vote too if absentee voting is going to take place.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I have NO idea why they would even consider using a purely postal vote, in this day and age, perhaps they were hoping that it would fail, as it did???

Then when people start asking for postal voting rights on important matters they can push this in their faces????

Maybe they should just do it sensibly and accept that, at the start, there will not be a whole lot of interest.

How would it be if you had your actual voting rights (as a citizen) taken away because not enough people made use of the system?

Would that be OK?

No, and neither is not having a non-attendance right to vote, either.

Just stop making a fuss.

Just stop using a system that is set up to fail, and start using a system that is democratic.

It is NOT rocket science.

Bit like actually getting the colours correct!!!

 

[shalamara minis]

Not sure about those numbers you were given. I know of more than 4 that voted in region 8. So where did all of our votes go?

 

[sharpllook]

Was this NOT a topic only a few years back. Members wanting/demanding voting rights by mail? Hmmmm Maybe our past board members had it right before the stink!

Just kind of ironic is it not!