[WikiEN-l] Arbitration Committee elections, 2005

[Ray Saintonge]

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.

Ec