Reform the electoral system, renew democracy

50 years after the 25th of April, will it be possible to change the Portuguese electoral system for Parliament ("Assembleia da República") in order to bring voters and elected officials closer together and reduce the “waste” of votes? Only with your help and that of many like you this will be possible!

Did you know that Portugal is one of the rare countries in the European Union where you can only vote for parties and not for candidates?

Do you live in Bragança, Castelo Branco, Guarda, Évora, Beja or Portalegre? Did you know that the disparity in the magnitude of the current electoral districts (which correspond to districts on the continent) is the main reason why many voters in the interior of the country are limited to either a "useful vote" or a "wasted vote"?

Did you know that 1 in every 3.51 votes were "wasted" in the last elections in Alentejo constituencies?

Portugal faces several challenges in terms of the deterioration of the relationship between citizens and political institutions. Despite 50 years since the 25th of April and almost half a century since the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, few significant changes have been made to the Portuguese electoral system. This scenario perpetuates inequalities in the treatment of voting citizens, derived solely from their place of residence. We want to make the electoral system fairer, reducing incentives for “useful voting” and the number of “wasted” votes.

On the other hand, improvements in education levels and access to information were not accompanied by an increase in voter empowerment. Portugal contrasts, today, with the dominant model in the electoral systems of European Union countries where it is somehow possible to vote directly for candidates. We are one of the rare countries in which in legislative elections you can only vote for one party , while a wide range of electoral systems already allow for the personalization of your vote. We want to reform the electoral system, giving citizens the possibility of voting not only for parties, but also for candidates.

In this symbolic year that marks the fiftieth anniversary of the 25th of April, we appeal and fight for the renewal of the Portuguese electoral system, through civic and collective participation and mobilization . It is imperative to work on a serious and robust proposal for an electoral reform capable of ensuring greater personalization of voting and strengthening democratic participation and present it to political decision-makers. To achieve this objective, we have already taken an important first step: we have launched a manifesto for the reform of the electoral system . Although,   We would like to do much more moving forward with the following initiatives:

• Listen to citizens: organization of focus groups of citizens, representing the diversity of the Portuguese population, on the electoral system and the political system (eg perceptions of political effectiveness). Through this method it will be possible to collect a wide range of opinions and suggestions, ensuring that the reform reflects the needs and aspirations of citizens.
• Seminars in some associations, collectives and Universities or Polytechnics, in various parts of the national territory, interested in debating this topic and where there are local actors willing to make their contribution to your organization.
• Listen to the experts: organization of a panel of experts on national and international electoral systems. Several working sessions will be implemented to present and discuss good practices and identify and discuss solutions to current problems in the Portuguese electoral system.
• Develop a technical proposal: based on contributions from experts and other citizens, work on and discuss one or two concrete proposals for reforming the electoral system.
• Develop a Citizens' Legislative Initiative (ILC): based on the proposals put forward, and as a result of the consultation and debate carried out, the final stage will come to fruition with the development of a citizens' legislative initiative that will be promoted among political decision-makers strong incentives for robust, technical and detailed electoral system reform.
• Collect signatures to submit the ILC online to the Assembly of the Republic with a significant number of citizens

To achieve this project, we invite you to participate in this collective effort. Together we can promote reform of the electoral system among political decision-makers. We count on your participation and support!

About the author

The Institute of Public Policy - Lisbon (IPP) is an academic, non-partisan and independent think-tank that seeks to promote informed public debate, involving citizens in deliberation processes and bringing them together with experts in the development of public policy recommendations.

With an interdisciplinary and rigorous team of researchers, IPP works in the areas of Democracy and Political Responsibility, Governance and Public Finance, Social Policies, and Climate Change and Digital Transition. To this end, it has already entered into numerous partnerships, with universities and media bodies, political institutions and cultural organizations, which help it in its mission of promoting citizen deliberation and informed public debate.

The proficiency of the research that the IPP carries out is today materialized in the publication of more than 30 policy papers, almost three dozen policy briefs and reports, working papers and policy contributions, and a set of books (including the Areté das collection Almedina Editions).

This work materializes in a range of projects with recognized impact, such as the Intergenerational Justice Index (in collaboration with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation), Budget Watch (in partnership with ISEG) or the Municipal Democracy Reform (in conjunction with the National Association of Municipal Assemblies), as an example. Also noteworthy is a Cycle of Debates Portugal: Small Steps for Big Changes, which we carried out in partnership with the Association for Economic and Social Development (SEDES).

Find out more on our website: https://www.ipp-jcs.org/

Budget and due dates

The Institute of Public Policy started this project with its own resources, through the launch of the manifesto "Reform the electoral system, renew Democracy". However, continuing this movement requires a broad contribution and the involvement of all citizens!

Why we need your support:

Objective value* : €7,800

With your support, we aim to promote:

• Dialogue initiatives with society. Organize five seminars in various parts of the national territory, especially in more disadvantaged regions in the interior. Unpaid speakers: €1,000]
• Construction of a website with relevant information aimed at citizens that promotes literacy around the topic (e.g. repository of frequently asked questions, reviewed by experts), providing resources for students or academics (books, scientific articles, among others), as well as information about the development of the project and its multiple stages. [Conception, design and formulation of specialized content for a stand-alone project website: €2,000]
• Creation of informative, training and project promoting digital materials: with a view to a presence on platforms such as website, social networks and national media [€500]
• Listen to the experts: organization of a panel of experts in electoral systems, academics and technicians (mathematicians and political scientists), national and international. Several working sessions will be implemented to present and discuss good practices and identify and discuss solutions to current problems in the electoral system. [: €500]
• Listen to citizens: organization of two focus groups of 6 to 8 citizens, representing the diversity of the Portuguese population, on the electoral system and the political system (eg perceptions of political effectiveness). Through this method it will be possible to collect a wide range of opinions and suggestions, ensuring that the reform reflects the needs and aspirations of citizens. [€720]
• Develop an electoral system proposal: based on contributions from experts and ordinary citizens, develop a technical proposal for reform of the electoral system capable of providing a simulation of the changes and impacts promoted in relation to the current electoral system in each of the constituencies. [Research (access to technical and specialized software): €1,790]
• Prepare the Citizens' Legislative Initiative with the Assembly of the Republic and promote the collection of signatures across the country. [€570]

The Institute of Public Policy, on its website, will be completely transparent regarding how donations from this campaign are being used, presenting the project's accounts at the end. The budget amount above is less than the campaign objective given the commission from this crowdfunding platform.

• Calendar

· July 2024: launch of digital materials (website and social networks) and actions to publicize the project in national media, ensuring an effective presence of the project among citizens;

· July 3 to September 3, 2024 – crowdfunding period.

· September - December 2024: preparation of articles (policy papers) and holding of training and pedagogical workshops, as well as other events, with a view to training and public discussion on the topic.

· March - May 2025: dialogue with political actors to discuss reform proposal(s).

· June - December 2025: drafting of the Citizens' Legislative Initiative and collection of signatures with a view to delivering at least 5000 signatures to the Assembly of the Republic towards the 20,000 required.

Images

Documents

• Manifesto: Reformar o Sistema Eleitoral, Renovar a Democracia

  pdf • 103.49 KB