Worrying about the US & Elections in general

As we approach the US elections (tomorrow), I wonder what will decide it.

Who is the candidate best able to lead the USA (in the view of Americans – taking a wide view)?

Or:

• Who wins the Electoral College?
• Who wins the court battles?
• Who wins the advertising war (a function of funding)?
• Who wins the media battle where the media is deregulated and in places highly partisan?
• Who is unable to vote because of last-minute “found” irregularities in their registration?
• Who is unable to vote because voting out of working hours has been restricted?
• Whose vote is not counted because the voting machine in certain districts did not properly cut out their chad?
• Who is unable to vote because post-Sandy, there is no power for voting machines or polling stations are closed or moved?
• Who is unable to vote because post-Sandy, they have more vital things to do?

Is this the best way to decide who leads the USA and, by definition, the Western World?

Multi-seat Wards (English Election style)

Councils (in England – the Scots know better) have two main ways of electing their councillors (both using the dreaded “first past the post” method).:  “All-up elections” where every councillor is up for election, or “by thirds” where a third of the councillors are up for election each year – usually one councillor from each three-seat ward.

What I want to be enfranchised

To be considered enfranchised I need:

1. To be able to express a preference or preferences for individuals.
2. For that expression to have some effect.