Community preselections

In the long term, when there is a sufficient number of electorate groups and group participants, so that the movement can negotiate from a position of strength, we can talk with leaders in each of the parties about the possibility of voter input into party preselections. Such arrangements are common in some overseas countries and have been trialled by several parties here. The process is referred to as community preselections or primaries. Constituents who are not party members can vote for their preferred candidate, and then this result, together with internal party voting – typically by a mix of local members and higher party officials – determines the outcome. It has the advantage for parties that it allows them to test out which of their candidates has the highest local appeal, and it promotes their party as one that is democratic and responsive to local views.