Content Authored by Lindsey Needham
1 - 9 of 9 results
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Texas' congressional elections near bottom in FairVote's Democracy Index
- Posted: June 1, 2012
- Author(s): Warren Hays, Lindsey Needham
- Categories: Congressional Elections, Home
This week's primaries in Texas represented the best chance for voters to affect their U.S. House representation prior to the November election. However, voters in most races did not have the chance to cast a meaningful ballot, as ten incumbents didn't face a primary challenger and all but one incumbent won by a landslide.
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Election Wonk: Growing trend of plurality wins in governors' races
- Posted: May 7, 2012
- Author(s): Lindsey Needham, The Non-Majority Rule Desk
- Categories: Ranked Choice Voting, Home, FairVote
Over the last two years, a staggering 28% of gubernatorial races were awarded to candidates who failed to win 50% of the vote. With so many state executives in power without the expressed consent of the majority, we have to question whether our system successfully functions to deliver the will of the people.
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No More Gerrymanders: Missouri's Partisan Plan versus the Fair Voting Alternative
- Posted: March 15, 2012
- Author(s): Lindsey Needham, Fair Voting Plans, Rob Richie, Sheahan Virgin
- Categories: Fair Voting/Proportional Representation, Home, Redistricting, Monopoly Politics 2012 Map
Lawmakers in Missouri have recently passed a congressional redistricting plan that gives Republican candidates a strong advantage in 6 of 8 seats and protects nearly all incumbents. There's a better way--fair voting systems in multi-seat "super-districts." Read the latest in our fair voting plan series.
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International Women's Day: Time for Political Equality
- Posted: March 8, 2012
- Author(s): Lindsey Needham
- Categories: Fair Voting/Proportional Representation, Home, FairVote, Elections Worldwide
Today, March 8th, is International Women's Day! As we honor the accomplishments of women all over the world, FairVote takes a moment to investigate the lack of women in political office. What can we do to increase women's representation?
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Texas Redistricting in the Hands of the Supreme Court Yet Again
- Posted: January 9, 2012
- Author(s): Lindsey Needham
- Categories: Fair Voting/Proportional Representation, Home, Redistricting
Today, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments for three cases pertaining to Texas redistricting. In recent decades, Texas has been unable to pass a congressional redistricting plan with paying a visit to the high court. With a redistricting process that forces partisan interests to battle racial minority communities for power over a district's single seat, there is little surprise regarding these recurring controversies.
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No More Gerrymanders: California's Commission Plan versus the Fair Voting Alternative
- Posted: November 4, 2011
- Author(s): Lindsey Needham, Fair Voting Plans, Sheahan Virgin
- Categories: Home, Redistricting, Monopoly Politics 2012 Map
For the first time in California's history, a Citizens Redistricting Commission has drawn the lines for congressional districts. Despite having taken control away from partisan state legislators, the commission's map has been controversial, both among racial minority groups and Republicans who are concerned about fair repesentation. Most disticts also will not be competitive.
The root of the worst problems associated with redistricting lies with winner-take-all elections, in which 50% + 1 of the vote can elect 100% of the representation. Fair voting systems, relying on a form of proportional representation, are a far better way to achieve public interest objectives and allow all voters to participate in meaningful elections. As part of an ongoing series, FairVote has produced a "super-district" plan designed for elections with a fair voting system. Our California plan upholds U.S. Supreme Court rulings on apportionment while providing fair representation and voter choice for California voters. -
No More Gerrymanders: Georgia's Partisan Plan versus the Fair Voting Alternative
- Posted: October 31, 2011
- Author(s): Lindsey Needham, Katie P. Kelly, Fair Voting Plans, Sheahan Virgin
- Categories: Home, Redistricting, Monopoly Politics 2012 Map
Lawmakers in Georgia have recently passed a congressional redistricting plan that gives Republican candidates a strong advantage in 10 of 14 seats and protects nearly all incumbents. There's a better way -- proportional voting systems in multi-seat "super districts." Read the latest in our fair voting plan series.
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No More Gerrymanders: Illinois' Partisan Plan versus the Fair Voting Alternative
- Posted: October 19, 2011
- Author(s): Lindsey Needham, Fair Voting Plans, Sheahan Virgin
- Categories: Fair Voting/Proportional Representation, Home, Redistricting, Monopoly Politics 2012 Map
Check out our latest findings in the fair voting plan series. Illinois goes from 14 gerrymandered congressional districts to 4 super-districts.
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No More Gerrymanders: Ohio's GOP-centric Plan versus the FairVote Super District Alternative
- Posted: October 13, 2011
- Author(s): Lindsey Needham, Fair Voting Plans, Sheahan Virgin
- Categories: Home, Redistricting, Monopoly Politics 2012 Map
Controversies over redistricting in Ohio provide the latest evidence of the failure of winner-take-all, single member district rules. Read our latest addition in the fair voting blog series.