It is the task of reformers not only to understand the legal form of the technical arguments for and the implications of potential change but also to understand and be able to explain the political arguments and the implications for the wider political framework of the country. Significant voices in civil society, academia, and the media may contribute to developing a public perception that change is necessary. But a sufficient number of those in power will need to be convinced of the benefits, including the benefits to them.
Even with the current increased interest in electoral systems, the number of people, both in elite circles and in society generally, who understand the likely impact of changes may be very limited. This is further complicated by the fact that the operation of electoral systems in practice may be heavily dependent on apparently minor points of detail. Reformers may need not only to fully work through and explain the legal detail that would be necessary to implement change, but also to make technical projections and simulations (often using data from previous elections) to show, for example, the shape and implications of proposals on electoral districts or the potential impact on the representation of political parties. Technical simulations can also be used to ensure that all contingencies are covered and to evaluate apparently unlikely outcomes: it is better to answer questions while change is being promoted than in the middle of a crisis later!
Of course, not all effects of a new electoral system will be known in advance. In fact, designing an electoral system when it is unclear what the results of an election held under it will be in terms of actual vote and seat distribution may even be helpful when it comes to arriving at a system that will be seen to be the most fair to all actors involved.
As much as possible of the technical details and mechanical effects should however be known to all and understood in advance of a change. Voter involvement programmes, for example, inviting members of the public to participate in mock elections under a potential new system, may attract media attention and increase familiarity with proposals for change. Comparative experience can provide relevant elements for the analysis and implementation of new variables in the electoral systems. Studying what happens in a region or in the world can provide examples of the way electoral systems have operated under certain political and social circumstances. And while other experiences are never the same to those prevailing within a country, they can be used as a basis for a more conscious analysis which might allow for the implementation of improvements. Likewise, these contrasting mechanisms may also help to identify and solve potencial problems—for example, voter difficulty with ballot papers—which a new system may generate.
