OBJECTIVE: To prove that extending universal suffrage to every single person in the world is possible.

PROCESS: December 5, 2005 sees the beginning of the World Vote Field Test. This research project holds as objective the gathering of data on the possibility of extending voting rights to every man and every woman on the planet.

The field test is defined by a set of 15 test countries: Senegal, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo (con link al reporte), Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, China, Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, Germany, Russia, United States of America. The countries have been chosen to represent a cross-section of geographic, cultural, demographic and economic indicators, with a strong emphasis of testing the most populous nations.

1. The prototype Satellite Voting Machine has been constructed in collaboration with Aidworld (www.aidworld.org). Running on an open-source operating system, the device has been configured to send the voting results directly via satellite to a counting station. The running totals are automatically tabulated.

1. For the field test, collaborations with local civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations and university departments stands as a centerpiece for networking and organizing the pilot voting events.

1. Liaising and collaborating with local governmental structures and international organizations is also explored to see to what extent the existing, brick and mortar infrastructures can be integrated in the patchwork to cover the planet.

1. Cultural aspects are taken into special consideration. Language, literacy, previous experience of participating in a democratic process, cultural sensitivities and priorities in the design of the referendum questions are all examined in the test countries.

Events are organized that practically apply the concept of global direct democracy in the form of limited pilot voting. Problem solving occurs directly in field during the test-voting program.

RESULTS: 

The results of the field test are intended to provide the first comprehensive look at the practical application of a direct global democratic model. This research can facilitate the formulation of a blueprint to organize an eventual worldwide direct democratic system or the democratic reform of international institutions. An event like a true global human referendum could ultimately define a clear popular mandate in regards to global health, access and safety concerns.