Chris Jenkinson wrote:
I think it's important to get some discussion started on the way the arbitrators will be chosen at the end of this year, as Jimbo Wales has recently altered the elections page[1], saying that this year there will be a new system. As he hasn't decided, it's our responsibility as Wikipedians to help pick the best arbitrators with the best possible system.
Currently his idea is on a appointments and confirmation procedure, roughly equivalent to the process that judges become United States Supreme Court members - i.e., Jimbo Wales picks a number of Wikipedians and they go through for a confirmation vote from the community. This obviously differs greatly from the previous system, where candidates put their name forward and any candidate willing to stand was added to the 'ballot paper' (similar to an election in most democratic countries).
In principle this would be a good change. Elections do not necessarily produce the best results. Or they can bring out the people who do not have the perseverence to stick out a term of office.
Arbcom appointments don't need to be all at the same time. Whether Jimbo should be doing this alone is a dubious proposition because of the time demands that it would put on him. A nominating committee of trusted people could be a more practical idea.
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