We had cohort elections this week. The election process was simple. First, candidates nominated themselves or were nominated by others. Second, candidates speechified one at a time. The currently non-speaking candidates huddled in the hallway, so speeches were independent and not influenced by each other. Finally, we voted.
We put our heads down and raised our hands to vote. Our Leadership Fellows counted our votes and announced the winners as the candidates were herded from the hallway.
I did win the representative position I wanted, but it was nerve-wracking. Seeing a few rounds of elections beforehand, there was a high level of variance in the quality of the candidates. I didn't want to be the one who was obviously out of place. Also, while we were waiting in the hallway, it was like being in a hospital waiting room, waiting for the doctor to call us in. Lobsters in a pot.
Some people were so clearly fit for the job, they were elected by acclamation. Even other nominees deferred, saying "X will do a wonderful job; I respectfully decline". There were some classy demurrals. And some close elections. We had a few ties and run-offs.
I'm just glad it's over. And I'm glad it didn't devolve into a pure popularity contest, which it could have. Overall, people with the best speeches, platforms and ideas won across the board. Maybe democracy works after all*.
Note*: I recognize that winning the election is just part of the evaluation process. We'll have to wait and see who does a good job. But, based on what I saw today, the right people were elected.
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