[QCWA] QCWA - 2008 Election Results - reformatted

[Dave - VE3JX]

Here is the previous message properly formatted (I hope) with spaces instead
of tabs.  Sorry about that.  -jx

Greetings all,

I have gratefully received answers to my last question in the previous email
on this topic: "It would be good to know how many spoiled ballots there
were, as well as how many ballots were mailed out.  Are those figures
available?"

Here is the information received:

Total Ballots mailed out:    7288

Total "acceptable" Ballots received:      2115
Total "spoiled" Ballots received:           18
                                         ------
Total Ballots received:                   2133

Reasons for "spoilage":
      No vote for anyone:                        1
      Voted for more than 8 Directors:           7
      Voted for BOTH Presidential Candidates:   10
                                               ----
      Total Spoiled Ballots:                    18

Analysis:
      Voter "turnout": (2133/7288)x100 = 29.26%
      Percent "spoiled": (18/2133)x100 =  0.84%

If all spoiled ballots were good, they would not affect the outcome of the
election.  There is more than an 18-vote separation between successful and
non-successful candidates.  Spoiled ballot numbers are in the range
expected, less than 1%; the reasons for their rejection are not frivolous.
Voter participation is a disappointment at just under 30%.

We wish to express our thanks to our President-elect, out Vice
President-elect, and our General Manager, for providing these figures.  The
analysis is mine.

Cheers,

Dave Hayes VE3JX
QCWA Life #33597
   OOTC #4483
____________________________________________________________________________
_______

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave - VE3JX [mailto:ve3jx at sympatico.ca]
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 8:47 PM
To: Discussion of QCWA or Ham Radio
Subject: [QCWA] QCWA - 2008 Election Results


Thank you to all Candidates, successful or not.  Your participation made for
a very interesting election.

Congratulations to all those who were successful in their bids.

This is the first election that I was able to observe as a member of QCWA.
I was surprised by a couple of factors.

First, the low percentage of ballots cast was a surprise.  The report
indicated that there were 2115 "acceptable ballots received."  Assuming that
there were not that many spoiled ballots, and that our QCWA membership
figures are around 7000, that would place the return rate around 30% or so.
I had heard the return rate was around 36%, but that figure would, again
assuming that the spoiled ballots figure was low, put the membership ballots
mailed out at around 6000.  No matter; either way, the rate of return seems
rather low to me.  I wonder why so many did not send theirs in?

Second, The return window was unusually long; stretching to mid-July.  That
was amazingly long to me.  It also makes the surprise above more of a
surprise than otherwise; no one had any excuse for not getting their ballot
in on time.

All in all, though, it was a good "horse-race" with a nail-biting finish.
Our President-elect won by only 46 votes!  Therefore, not only does Bob feel
good at winning, but Len would also be satisfied with the good level of
support shown for him.

It would be good to know how many spoiled ballots there were, as well as how
many ballots were mailed out.  Are those figures available?

Cheers,

Dave Hayes VE3JX
QCWA Life #33597
  OOTC #4483