Voting on the EU constitution

After not voting for 20 years, I decided to improve my record and took part in the Dutch referendum on the EU constitution. Since I did not read the 219 page (“The Reader Friendly Edition”) manuscript, I voted “blank” (it took me two minutes to find the blank button hidden in an obscure corner of the voting panel). Listening to the outcome of the referendum, I am very confused: 62.8% of the electorate voted; 61.6% NO and 38.4% YES. So where is my vote? Better: where are the blank votes of the others who managed to find the blank button? Imagine the blank votes added up to 21%. That would imply only 49% NO and 30% YES! Would that still mean the Dutch rejected the EU constitution? I am totally confused and deeply impressed by the obscure mathematics of our politicians.

I am afraid next time I will think twice before going again to the voting office.

Comments

[Geplaatst door: Samsa]

I think they took the group of yes/no-voters, and the percentages given are based on that group. So, of all the yes/no-voters (blank voters excluded), 61.6% voted yes, and the rest no. At least, as a blank voter myself, that's about the only thing I can imagine that happened. Which doesn't really answer the question whether that's a majority ofcourse. I don't think as much as 21% voted blank though, and you need a fairly high amount of blank voters to start thinking about whether the no-vote really got a majority. But interesting thought nevertheless.

[Geplaatst door: Erik Min]

Hello,

On http://www.nu.nl/news.jsp?n=534882&c=11 they show percentage split in several age groups and educational levels. There, the no+yes do not add up to 100%, so I guess they included the blank votes there... Either that or they can't count on nu.nl (very well possible...). Blank votes seem to be around 1 or 2%.
Even without bothering about blank votes, only a minority of the Dutch voted against the EU constitution (61.8% of 62.8% voters makes 38.7% of the total electorate). It is logical still to say that the Dutch rejected the constitution. If you do not voice your oppinion (by not voting or voting blank) it is very hard to take that opinion into account...

Anyway, good luck with your blog! It's a good read!

Erik Min

[Geplaatst door: ursula]

Hi Frank,
why are the Dutch so much against the EU?
The echo we had about this point in the French media, was that there was not even a discussion.

I am really disappointed, and question direct democracy against representive democracy. Maybe beacause I am German, yet close enough to Switzerland. Why is there a referendum on the European Consitution, where none of the voters will sense the impact immediatly, and no referendum on working Pentecost Monday, where everyone is directly concerned?

Ursula

[Geplaatst door: m. visaya]

how do trademark laws affect sale of commodities such as edam cheese and bread in the Netherlands? are they strong or weak especially during an election? (TM-ND)