Electorate Definition
Electorate design is one of the most politically sensitive parts of the Vote phase. In Freeze–Vote–Rebuild, the key principle is:
Eligibility must not collapse into “whoever is currently on the ground.”
The process must explicitly include displaced persons and refugees.
This chapter defines how to specify electorate rules in an operational, auditable way.
Objectives
- Define who can vote in a way that is clear, fair, and resistant to manipulation.
- Include displaced persons/refugees through explicit eligibility pathways.
- Minimize incentives to displace populations to reshape outcomes.
- Provide an identity/verification method that can be audited.
Eligibility Categories (Template)
A robust electorate definition typically covers:
Category A: Current Residents
- Individuals residing in the relevant territory as of a defined cutoff date.
- Documentation options for residency (civil registry, utility records, etc.).
Category B: Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
- Individuals displaced within the country who can demonstrate prior residence.
- Mechanisms for registration and verification without excessive burden.
Category C: Refugees / External Displaced Persons
- Individuals displaced across borders who can demonstrate prior residence and identity.
- Modalities for participation (consulates, supervised centers, secure remote options).
Category D: Special Cases
- Military personnel (where stationed vs. where registered).
- Incarcerated persons.
- Individuals without documentation (proof alternatives, sworn statements with checks).
- Minors reaching voting age between cutoff and voting date.
Key Design Choices That Must Be Specified
1. Cutoff Dates
You must define:
- the reference date for residency eligibility,
- the reference date for displacement eligibility,
- how to handle people who moved legitimately before the cutoff.
2. Proof Standards (Identity + Eligibility)
Define a ranked “proof ladder”:
- Primary proofs: National ID, civil registry.
- Secondary proofs: Records, attestations, verified documents.
- Exception pathway: (for those lacking documents) with safeguards against fraud.
3. Registration Workflow
- Where and how registration occurs (in-person, online, hybrid).
- Identity verification steps.
- Appeals process for rejected registrations.
- Timeline for publishing provisional and final rolls.
4. Voter Roll Transparency vs. Privacy
- What can be published (aggregated statistics).
- What must remain private (individual identities).
- Independent audit access rules.
5. Anti-Duplication and Anti-Fraud Controls
- Unique voter identifiers.
- Cross-checking across modalities/locations.
- Reconciliation procedures after voting.
Inclusion of Displaced Persons: Operational Requirements
To make inclusion real, not rhetorical, specify:
- Access points: Registration centers, consulates, supervised hubs.
- Language and accessibility support.
- Secure participation measures (especially for vulnerable groups).
- Protections against retaliation and coercion.
- Transportation/logistics support where necessary.
Track inclusion with metrics:
- Registration rates by category (resident/IDP/refugee).
- Rejection rates and appeal outcomes.
- Participation rates by category.
- Reported coercion incidents by category/location.
Common Failure Modes and Mitigations
- Exclusion by paperwork: Mitigate with proof ladders and accessible registration.
- Fraud via weak proofs: Mitigate with layered verification, audits, and reconciliation.
- Displacement incentives: Mitigate by anchoring eligibility to a cutoff date and including displaced categories.
- Privacy abuse: Mitigate with strict data governance and independent auditing.
