Partitioning control of electoral reform from vested interests

One of the key problems in electoral reform is that those who hold the power to change it benefit from the current system; It got them into office, right? Maybe there’s a way we can move that power out of those most disinclined to seriously consider it.

Just a thought. Every 10 years (5? 15?) hold a guaranteed referendum on what electoral system we should be using and switch to the preferred alternative. If the current system is FPTP, use FPTP as the referendum mechanism (likewise if it’s IRV, Schulze, etc).

Furthermore, the first referendum would occur in 10 years from now. Often candidates will run on platforms that include democratic reform, but abandon it once elected. By putting the first election far enough in the future, it can be ratified without directly threatening the power base of the current representative.

We don’t want the fox guarding the henhouse, right?