National
Preferences … and behind-the-scenes party deals
“I’m pretty sure Kevin would agree that a much better way of dealing with very long Senate voting papers is to limit the number of candidates that you are obliged to vote for (as with our Hare Clark), rather than handing over preferences to a behind-the-scenes party deals.”
Absolutely.
Another possible reform is optional (or even semi-compulsory) preferencing for those voting above-the-line. Allow or require a voter voting above the line to vote for at least five parties in order, for instance.
The present Senate system is driven by a desire to force the voter to express preferences all the way through rather than giving them the option of exhausting their own vote, and the present House of Reps system likewise.