Legal Beagle by Graeme Edgeler

It lets you adjust all those assumptions - the ones they supply are defaults based on a same-as-last-time scenario I think.

It doesn't of course allow for changes in voting as a result of a change to the system, such as larger minor party votes if the threshold was abolished, or voters switching to major parties under FPP.

Also, does anyone know if the Jim Anderton Progressive Party are contesting the next election in the absence of their leader?

does anyone know if the Jim Anderton Progressive Party are contesting the next election in the absence of their leader?

I'm pretty sure they're not.

It lets you adjust all those assumptions – the ones they supply are defaults based on a same-as-last-time scenario I think.

It let's you change a bunch of things, but there are a number of inbuilt assumptions within each system.

The 'nifty simulator' would be a little better IMO if it displayed both seats and the percentage of seats under each voting system... Though I'm sure yours will be bad-asserer Graeme.

Funny, I don't feel I have to think about it at all. I'm passionately of the opinion that MMP is the most democratic and best for the country. I'm open to tweaking it a little when the time comes. But anything else seems like a big step backwards.

There was a guy I saw on YouTube who gave some very good explanations of voting systems around the UK referendum earlier this year. Perhaps something like that can help.

More here

Also, does anyone know if the Jim Anderton Progressive Party are contesting the next election in the absence of their leader?

He's also endorsing the local Labour Party candidate.

I'm happy to lend a hand, Graeme. Let me know what's required, I'll tell you if I can work out how to do it.

Threadjack - sorry.

Just had a snow flurry in Grafton, Auckland - and yep I've seen plenty of snow (lived in Wiaouru, Dunedin and the English Midlands for 10 yrs +)and it definitely was!

The weather forecast suggested it, but it still seems hard to believe. Until I stepped outside this morning.

I’m happy to lend a hand, Graeme. Let me know what’s required, I’ll tell you if I can work out how to do it.

Your logic fu would fit right in. I will bust out big bags of beans from Eden Coffee for all Graeme’s helpers.

I'd be tempted to volunteer myself, if I hadn't already made my programming contribution to this particular topic.

Whether you're planning a better version of our simulator, or something a bit different, I'll be very interested to see what you come up with.

I will bust out big bags of beans from Eden Coffee for all Graeme’s helpers.

It's the only payment I would accept for such a righteous cause.

Whether you're planning a better version of our simulator, or something a bit different, I'll be very interested to see what you come up with.

Something very different.

10 different factors and facets of voting systems: I like list MPs vs I hate list MPs. I like proportionality vs I like single-party majority government. etc.

Then it tells you how much each of the systems stacks up against your preferences.

Mail me some details Graeme or just send me your address and we can arrange to talk.

That Auckland Uni one needs to go back to the 70's and 80's era elections. Alt History FTW.

Muldoon needing supply and confidence from Social Credit means the Clyde dam is built on currency devaluation, which means less transition shock when the Labour / Social Credit government comes in and frees up the financial market and removes farm subsidies in it's one term of government.

No threshold means the left fragments into Labour, New Labour, Social Credit, Democrats, Greens, and Mana Maori, while the right breaks into National, Christian Heritage, Winston, and Libertarian/Republican. United sits in the middle. Rise of the Hunting&Fishing party sees them hold the balance of power, creating massive new wildlife preserves on sea and land.

How about older stuff? No Labour government in the 30's as the old parties unite to block them? Power lost from rural seats early means no large farm subsidies in the first place? More individual and dynamic farming practices, less bandwagon thinking? Or subsidised organics and renewable energy leading the world (to default on debts)?

10 different factors and facets of voting systems: I like list MPs vs I hate list MPs. I like proportionality vs I like single-party majority government. etc.

I like parliamentary representation that is representative of the population vs mostly white older males, I hope

That Auckland Uni one needs to go back to the 70's and 80's era elections. Alt History FTW.

I love alternate-history stories, but I don't think we dare to put up scenarios from the 1980s, let alone the 1930s. We've had a certain amount of flak just for including those buttons that fill in the form with the party vote from MMP elections 1996-2008; not everyone agrees that this is a meaningful thing to try.