3 Things We’ve Learned Maintaining International Elected Official Data
Did you know that Queen Elizabeth II is technically a member of many national legislatures? That the Mayor of Montreal is in a party named after herself? Ever wondered what a snap election is and whose fingers can will it into existence?
These are some of the questions and musings that emerge when you track and enter data for elected officials outside the U.S. In addition to our extensive coverage of stateside officials, Cicero maintains information about politicians, elections, and districts in 8 other countries. Here are some of the lessons we’ve learned making “democracy’s database” international.
“C.E.O.”s in the Commonwealth
In the United States, a prominent and powerful executive plays a key role in federal governance. This is not quite as true across the United Kingdom’s Commonwealth. In the governments maintained by Cicero, power rests mainly within the legislature. Members of the ministry form or lead these executive branches. And, ministers are almost always pulled from the ranks of and/or selected by the legislature. Often these ministerial executive branches are explicitly subordinate to the legislature.
So, Prime or First Ministers are not quite the presidential analogues we may imagine. A key difference is the absence of constitutional or legislative definitions for the positions. Frequently, convention alone determines the selection, length of term, or even the existence of the role itself. Take Canada: while unlikely, if an unelected person were able to command the confidence of the House of Commons, they could become Prime Minister.
All (Mexican) politics is local
In the U.S., the path of the politician usually starts locally and ends (or wants to end) federally. Ambitious officials attempt to move up the ladder, not down. And, once ensconced in a national position, they rarely leave. In Mexico, not so much. Politicians routinely leave federal seats temporarily or permanently. Sometimes for reasons such as illness, but often to run for or serve in party, state, or municipal roles. Just as often as they leave, however, they return. Lost that gubernatorial election? Restored your caucus to success? Back to the legislature you go.
A system in which members of Congress run for election with substitutes in case of vacancy likely plays a role in why Mexican officials feel so comfortable taking leaves of absence to explore other positions.
By early March of this year, 52 federal diputados (members of the lower house of Mexico’s Congress) had requested leaves of absence to campaign for the country’s upcoming June elections. Another 19 would do the same on March 25th. Among those who took leave in 2021 were Dolores Padierna and Geraldine Ponce Méndez, both of whom are running for mayoralities.
(Elected) Body language
While most of the current foreign governments maintained by Cicero use English as their primary language, creating data about Mexico and Quebec has required understanding documents and sources in other tongues. As a former language teacher, I am loath to admit this, but, when it comes to election information, you can rely on your browser’s or Google’s translation capabilities to glean most of the information you need. Still, maintaining a vocabulary list of the words and phrases you’ll see most often makes finding and maintaining information about elected officials and bodies much easier. You’ll also discover language and cultural quirks that you’ll want to keep track of, like Mexican naming conventions or that hôtel de… is a common French prefix for governmental buildings.
Cicero’s mission is to be the global resource on elected officials, elections, and democracy. We’re always looking to expand and refine our data coverage — don’t hesitate to reach out to us to find out how we can add the data that are important to you.
