In a draft of Hungary's new constitution, officials in that country proposed giving families with under-age children an extra vote. While the idea went over like a lead balloon when a questionnaire was sent out to Hungarian households, the constitution's main author, Jozsef Szajer, doesn't think the conversation is over.  

Szajer, an MEP with the ruling Fidesz party, told a recent press conference he thought it was scandalous that current electoral law "freezes out" children. Noting that kids make up 20 percent of the country's population, he said the current system is biased. He's hoping for the establishment of a committee comprised of lawyers, demographics experts, and family representatives to examine the idea of giving parents of kids extra votes; he's also urged the Hungarian Academy of Sciences to research the concept.

 

Though it's now unlikely to become law anytime soon, Szajer and other officials are hoping debate around the issue will continue and eventually change people's minds. He was quick to dismiss a view raised by the Prime Minister suggesting that Hungarians were concerned the initiative would give the Roma population a disproportionate slice of the vote due to their typically large families.

 

The constitution is expected to be voted through on April 18th, and signed by the President on the 25th. If you're interested in learning more, The Economist has some reservations about the process that was involved.

 

So giving parents an extra vote is unpopular in Hungary -- but do you think Joszef Szajer is onto something? Should we consider allowing parents to vote more than once in Canada?