Lottery
The lottery governs permission to have children, tying births to available population space and now complicating debate about accepting refugees.
Story so far
Winning the Lottery gives a couple a year to try to have a child. Its stated aim is for parents to have two children to replace themselves, and deaths can create opportunities for prospective parents. Peter Nichols said the lottery moved on after his premature son died without officially counting as born. Mission Jones later contrasted a post-violence baby boom with the smaller number of births tied to natural deaths and wins; Allie maintained that her pregnancy began within their permitted window even though the ticket had expired when they learned of it.
Lukas reported that a large recent lottery pleased residents. With more space anticipated in the other silo, Juliette proposed suspending the lottery, but the committee did not answer. Paul Thurman says servers decide the results to favor the people he considers best. In the refugees’ debate over another move, Fitz now invokes those waiting in the lottery when challenging whether newcomers would be welcomed.
Role
A system of reproductive permission that links family prospects to population space and remains politically consequential during displacement.
Relationships
Earlier in this series
Also appears in books you've already read — spoiler-safe to their endings:
Sources — 5 recorded facts, by chapter
- Lukas reports that a large lottery held during the week pleased a number of residents.
- Jimmy expects there to be no lottery for a while when people move into his silo.
- Juliette proposes suspending the lottery, but the committee gives no answer to the proposal.
- Thurman says the lotteries are decided by the servers to favor people he considers best.
- Fitz invokes the interests of people in the lottery when questioning whether refugees should be welcomed.