E-Newsletter August 1, 2006
Gains for Voting Rights
and Instant Runoff Voting
August 1st 2006
Greetings,
July was a remarkable month for pro-democracy advocates, highlighted by a logjam breaking in Congress that unleashed a torrent of support for reauthorizing and strengthening key provisions of the Voting Rights Act and by a major surge in support for instant runoff voting, one of FairVote's signature reform proposals.
Our e-newsletter reports about this fall's major campaigns for instant runoff voting and a big win in the North Carolina state legislatures. Indeed cities and counties with more than 1.6 million people will vote on IRV this fall, several state legislatures will debate statewide IRV bills in 2007 and dozens of congressional candidates now tell Project Vote Smart they support IRV.
I wanted to highlight one short-term imperative. These campaigns must be supported by grassroots donations so voters can learn more about IRV. For more information on how you can help, see links about the different campaigns on our IRV Victories pages.
My best to you,
Rob Richie
Executive Director
P.S. I urge you also to take a look at our new annual report: The Way Democracy Will Be . And please copy this message and share it with your friends!
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Headlines
Voting Rights Act Reauthorization signed into law.
On July 27, President Bush signed reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act.
The Senate unanimously passed it on July 20. The law extends for 25 years, key provisions of the original
act that protect racial minorities from discriminatory voting practices. The Senate approval came in the wake
of a small rebellion of House Members resulting in a delayed vote. As a member of the
Leadership Conference of Civil Rights , FairVote strongly backed the legislation.
Instant runoff voting in North Carolina
The North Carolina legislature approved a groundbreaking bill this month by voting to test IRV in up to 10 cities and 10 counties in
local elections in the 2007-2008. The state also would use IRV to fill vacancies for certain judicial offices that
have drawn increased numbers of candidates with the state's public financing system for judicial
elections.
Oakland latest major city to vote on instant runoff voting this NovemberOakland's city council voted 6-2 on
July 18 to place a measure to adopt IRV for city elections on the November ballot. Oakland joins Minneapolis and
Pierce County (WA) in voting on IRV this fall.
Choice voting on the November ballot in Davis (CA)
Many of FairVote's successes are on college campuses all around the country. Now change has spilled over from the campus
to the community. Students at the University of California- Davis, sparked interest in the city after successfully using
choice voting in campus elections. After researching and studying choice voting, and learning about its benefits in terms
of fair representation and choice, the Davis City Council members approved of a charter review commission's report, and placed this
proportional voting system on the November ballot.
See http://www.davischoicevoting.org/
Monopoly Politics 2006 Sneak Preview
FairVote's biannual report shows how America's winner-take-all electoral system results in largely non-competitive
elections. The report projects with dead-on accuracy winners and victory margins in House elections using factors such
as partisanship and number of terms an incumbent has served; without regard to campaign activity since the past
elections. Much as we might to take credit for having an impressive crystal ball, it is the winner-take-all election
system in American that creates such deterministic results. One teaser from our upcoming edition: most incumbents
received little to no boost in redistricting, but mapmakers helped three-quarters of incumbents who won close races
in 2000.
FairVote report helps trigger interest in presidential primary schedule
After interest generated by FairVote's report Outside Looking In, the Washington, D.C. City Council passed a
Sense of the Council resolution, supporting an early 2008 nomination contest for Washington, D.C., joining backers
like Donna Brazile and DC Vote. Democrats instead likely will pick Nevada and South Carolina to join the Iowa and
New Hampshire as the states that matter in picking their nominee. FairVote sees the
American Plan as the best proposal for 2012.
Amarillo secures cumulative voting for new election
The Amarillo Board of Regents and plaintiffs in July signed a consent decree agreeing to use cumulative voting for
future elections; the city has had great success with cumulative voting in school board elections since a 1999
consent decree.
FairVote's universal voter registration statute
FairVote seeks a voter registration system where the government shares responsibility for registration with its
citizens to ensure full and accurate voter rolls. Having 100% registration will address the remarkably low 72% rate of
registration among eligible voters that contributes to low turnout and inefficient election administration.
FairVote's legal team has developed a proposal for achieving universal registration while allowing an opt-out
provision that is based on some state's policies on health care.
Get Involved Notes
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Features San Francisco Exit Poll Affirms IRV's Success A newly released exit poll from San Francisco's 2005 election shows the universality of instant runoff voting's appeal and effectiveness.Conducted by The Public Research Institute of San Francisco State University, the poll indicates that voters were three times more likely to say voting with IRV was easy than not consistent with a 99.6% rate of valid ballots. Voters also preferred IRV to the old two-round runoff system by a margin of three to one, with strong support from all voters - transcending party, race, gender, age and neighborhood. FairVote's analyses show voter turnout in the final count was nearly three times what it would have been with the old runoff system. New FairVote Events Page!
FairVote appears in radio, television, presentations and press event around the country.
Now you can see it all in one place! August highlights include Rob Richie's presentation on instant runoff voting
to the Aspen (CO) city council on August 1 and the Presidential Election Reform's short course on the
Electoral College at the American Political Science
Association on August 28, where we also will have a booth from Aug. 29-Sept.3. Commentary and News Two elections, one trip to vote Wilmington Star News Editorial board strongly favors using instant runoff voting for North Carolina elections. Every vote counts in a fair electoral system
Voters may get to decide changes to elections format
GOP Redistricting Redistricting Reformers
Renew Push
Repairing American democracy
New districts in harmony with one person, one vote
Break down barriers to minority parties How to Get Real Elections
Justices Back Most G.O.P. Changes to Texas Districts
Mexico's election lesson to U.S.
Reform DeLayed Support Fair Elections!
We're making terrific progress in every part of our work. Indeed we stand near a tipping point, one that could lead to profound improvements in our elections. Read our latest postal newsletter to reporters and help make change happen this year by giving generously to FairVote!
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