The consensus on magic use within the wizarding community has held firm for centuries with an improvement here and there. The purpose, to make the average wizard's life easier without compromising the long held secret but maybe there's even more room for improvement?

Policies on the use of magic are something these candidates feel very strongly about and no doubt they've got some new and innovative ideas that are sure to benefit the wider community, helping it to grow from strength to strength. With there being no such thing as a 'perfect' system, it goes without saying that there's always room for change...unless they're of the belief there should be no change--something they'll no doubt be able to back up as well.

This is a matter that affects everyone from the young to the old and shouldn't be taken lightly. These policies will govern how the average wizard goes about their day, when our children become 'magically independent' and the acceptable use of magic in a given location among other things. You might want to take notes.

Candidates:
Jameson Carmichael
Preston Kingsley

Preston had spent considerable time the various issues to which he could potentially speak at this point in the campaign and so it was with great disappointment that he saw so few names on the list to address questions of magical usage policies. He had assumed that his issue would be one that people would be eager to discuss. After all, changes in policies regarding age of magical independence, interactions with muggles, and more, could have profound impacts on how people lived their lives. What if a candidate proposed eliminating the statute of secrecy? Surely people would want to know how the candidates stood...

Straightening his tie and mentally rehearsing his talking points, Preston Kingsley stood at the booth, ready to greet any and all people interested in discussing such a fundamental issue.

Gid was walking through the rally listening to questions and answers each of the candidates were given and answering. He smiled and nodded to those he knew and giving kind smiles to anyone he didn't. He made his way to the magic use booth. He gave the man a smile as he saw one of the candidates standing there. He was a former professor wasn't he? "Mr. Kingsley, what is your stand on magic use within the muggle community? Should there be a stricter ban on use of magic? Or do you feel that those policies we have in place are adequate enough?"

Preston extended his hand for a shake. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr..." he trailed off, hoping for an introduction.

He nodded as he listened, slipping a hand in his pocket, giving his full attention to the man. "Well," he began, "I think the impulse to keep our community protected is a good one. My interest is in making sure that the policies in place balance fairness and safety."

"For example, clearer guidelines around what is or is not permissible to share with muggle relatives should be evaluated. Additionally, questions of underage use of magic should be reopened. Rather than a free-for-all, however, just slight changes and some consideration for how students, regardless of family make-up, can have opportunity to keep their skills sharp over summers."

Mostly, Preston wanted to open the question to the public rather than propose specific policy changes.

He stepped forward and shook the man's hand "Mr. Yenorin, dept head for International Cooperation." he said with a smile.

He nodded listening as he spoke and laid out where he stood. Paying close attention and curiosity appeared a little "Are you saying that you'd like to look into allowing students of Hogwarts age to be be allowed to use magic outside of school?" he asked. It in some ways would make sense yes, for instance for keeping the students from losing some of the hard lessons they'd had ability to practice and keep them fresh in their minds. But yet....

"How would we be able to control the use of that magic? Wouldn't that cause more problems, than good with keeping them from forgetting what they've learned. More catastrophes and accidents?" After all the students were still young and learning to control their magic. "They wouldn't be in a controlled environment if they were allowed to use magic away from the school. Hogwarts isn't completely a controlled environment, but out in the world, there is no telling what students might attempt if they have that priviledge of being able to use magic."

Preston smiled. He had anticipated that some would take his position to the extreme. "Now, don't misunderstand me. The last thing I would want is a horde of underage wizards flinging spells willy-nilly in the street." That would be horrible. "Rather, I want the wizarding community to consider whether there are options for limited, regulated magical use while not at school, much in the same way allowances are made for home-schooled students to practice under the tutelage of their parents or hired tutors."

Preston gestured as he continued to speak. "I believe there is potential for summer enrichment programs or tiered 'classes' of spellwork that might be permissible, should the ban be modifed." Promote some responsibility. Increase opportunities for learning. "But I'll be clear. Modified. Not overturned. And a decision to be made after the most thorough evaluation at all levels. So that is what I am proposing: an examination of the potential of such a change."

Hadley was wandering around, not knowing who to put her vote towards, or what they all stood for. Even though she worked at the Ministry, she didn't know much about the Minister of Magic, or what they believed in, so she was wandering between booths to gauge her ideas. First room she merely wandered into, in a daze, then she saw it was Policies on Magic Use. Ahh… she had two questions.

She waited until the… oh handsome, er… until the candidate was free, then she approached him with a greeting smile. "Hi," she said, holding her hand out, "I'm Hadley. Hadley Willowgrass." She had seen the faces of all the candidates, but didn't really know their names. She mostly just had her nose in the parchment, or secluded herself to her office. She liked closing herself off to the politics within the Ministry, but now that it was the time to vote, she really needed to get to know the candidates.

Preston nodded and extended his hand to shake hers. "Ms. Willowgrass, thank you for coming by." It was nice to see people stopping by the booths and it had seemed like this woman was stopping by each of them. "Preston Kingsley, pleased to make your acquaintance."

With a warm smile, Preston slipped his hand into his trouser pocket. "Are there any questions I can answer for you today?" Otherwise, he would share his platform. But best to check to see if she had particular interests.

With a firm shake to seal the meet, Hadley's brain chinked with an association. Preston Kingsley! That was it, she had heard of his name, of course. But she didn't remember any of them. She gave a nod and said "And yours, too. Yes I did, two actually. Firstly I was just curious on what your opinion is on allowing Underage Hogwarts Students to be able to practice magic in the protection of their own home? Obviously with at least one parent or guardian present. Though, I do suppose it would be quite difficult to regulate." But still… did anyone else ever think about that?

Precisely! He had found that a tad confusing that he might be suggesting such a thing! "So additional enrichment programs to keep their minds fresh for instance and not disallow persay the use of magic but give them ample opportunity to test the waters so to speak throughout the summer months." he repeated in his own words. That made sense, he had his two boys that would be entering Hogwarts in just a years time and he knew that those years following was going to be difficult keeping them from using their wands during the holidays.

"Thank you for your response." he said with a smile. Turning towards the woman as she introduced herself Gid stepped back to listen.

Genevieve Branxton was STILL doing her pseudo-rounds, and she was interested to find a booth that was relatively under-represented by candidates... and it was a topic she felt was very important. Genevieve scooted up to the candidate and offered a hand. Kingsley, right?

"Genevieve Branxton. It's a pleasure to meet you. Do you feel that the current laws around Underage Magic Use are overly punitive? I mean, you mostly have kids who can barely control their impulses being badgered by over worked Ministry employees, rather than future Dark Lords."