Something that comes up each time - and your description/proposal is not
completely accurate. Typically, the "straightforward election" mirrors the
actual outcome, but Jimmy is the step in between - if for some reason an
editor is elected that he believes is unsuited, then that person is not
appointed to the committee.
He has said many times, in various places, that his role with the
Arbitration Committee, and policy in general on the English Wikipedia, is
unrelated to his position on the Board. The Board takes no active role in
any ArbCom elections, on any project, and Jimmy's role is specific to the
English Wikipedia community.
Confirming the voting system before the election would make sense if the
system were in question - it isn't. There are objectors now like there have
been in the past on this and just about everything else in Wikipedia, but
there appears to be no serious doubt as to how this election will proceed.
Of course, you're welcome to start an RfC on the election process or even on
Jimmy's role in the community. I don't think the '08 elections talkpage
(which is typically used for more mundane decisions, and is not heavily
trafficked) is the right venue and I doubt any limited-participation straw
polls from that page will be regarded as binding.
Nathan