system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[General Sci-Fi] A new alien race is joining our Federation. They're a hive mind. We're a democracy. Do they only get one vote?

I suppose we could count each entity in the hive-mind separately, but then shouldn't every cell in your body get a vote? Should we do it by body mass? Brain mass? Also, what happens if they commit a crime? Do we have to lock up the entire race? Or execute them if it comes to that?

Also, from an ethical point of view, do they only count as one person? I'm against slavery, but if we can get a huge benefit from just enslaving one person it seems worth it. And it would help cut down on black market person trafficking, which means that there'd actually be a net decrease in slavery.
gpt
A straight democracy would be a terrible governmental model for an intergalactic federation.  If you wanted to stay on the democratic side of the tracks the best bet would be a republic with each world/civilization getting one vote and strict limitations on the power of the governing body.  Something that is essentially set up to avoid wars.  A straight democracy would encourage each world to bread as much as possible which would lead to inevitable war and conflict.                            
                              
From an ethical standpoint it really depends on the level of autonomy the individuals in the hive mind have.  If it is a true hive mind with a singular consciousness then can be considered a singular person.  Also slavery is generally considered unethical regardless of the perceived benefits.