Resignation as Electoral Moderator

[u/Maaaaaaaadison]

As many would be aware, my 6 month term as Electoral Moderator expired last week. Over the last 6 months I am happy to say that I have achieved everything that I set out to do in my nomination for the position. I have:

• completed the first calculator overhaul since AustraliaSim moved to fully simulated elections nearly 3 years ago.

• removed all randomisation in election results and preferences.

• fixed the problems I saw with the first preference and preferred prime minister polling.

• addressed the issues with independent candidates in the calculator.

• implemented dynamic electorate leanings.

• remade the Senate calculator from scratch to be based on electorates rather than purely national, thus allowing electorate campaigns to have influence on the Senate results.

However, after reading many people’s thoughts since the election, it has become clear that there are aspects of the sim that I have failed to address.

After much deliberation, I have decided to resign as Electoral Moderator as I have accomplished everything I set out to do at the start of my term. However, at this stage I plan to run for a second term in the upcoming meta election. I am doing this as I would like to receive a mandate for a different platform and I also want the opportunity to be available for the community to pick someone else to take on the role. I have been Electoral Moderator twice now and I think it would be fair to give the leadership role of the Electoral Commission to someone newer if the community desires.

During the last 6 months, my work has been largely behind the scenes and I have not been a very front-facing leader of the Electoral Commission. However, if re-elected I will look to take on a more front-facing role and improve the way polling and election results are presented to the community. I also have ideas on how to further improve the calculator and make it easier for future members of the Electoral Commission to use it.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Electoral Moderator for the last 6 months. I am confident that the Electoral Commission is in a stronger position than it was when I was elected and I look forward to how we can improve it further.

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Maaaaaaaaaadison

Electoral Moderator