FairVote Blog
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From the "Non-Majority Rule" Desk: Post-Election Wrap-Up, IRV in Oakland, and Looking to 2012
by Chris Marchsteiner, The Non-Majority Rule Desk // November 23, 2010 //The counting and recounting of ballots in the 2010 elections is nearly over. In a final wrap-up blog from the Non-Majority Rule desk, we review the role of so-called “spoilers” in a few more very close elections. We also offer a preview of what’s in store in 2012, starting with the wide-open contest for the Republican nomination, and highlight media attention to a city offering a better means to elect winners: Oakland, with its ranked choice system of instant runoff voting.
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North Carolina uses Instant Runoff Voting for state, county-wide elections
by Rob Richie // November 3, 2010 //This fall North Carolina held the first statewide general election with instant runoff voting (IRV) in the nation’s history to fill federal judge Jim Wynn’s vacancy in on the Court of Appeals. Three Superior Court vacancies were also filled with instant runoff voting. Initial results suggest that voters in the state handled IRV well.
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Ranked-Choice Voting in Oakland May Surprise — But for a Good Reason
by Toby Rowe // November 1, 2010 //Oakland voters have been told more than once this year to “expect the unexpected” in the race to replace outgoing mayor Ron Dellums. Ten candidates seek the office, making for a crowded and diverse field of contenders. This fascinating mayoral election occurs in the first year that Oakland voters will use ranked-choice voting (RCV) to elect their representatives in municipal government.
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Federal Redistricting BIlls in 111th Congress
by Brian Bennett // October 29, 2010 //Redistricting: a popular issue in the 111th Congress.
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Election Day: A Reminder about the Urgent Need for a Constitutionally Protected Right to Vote
by , Jo McKeegan // October 28, 2010 //As part a proposal to revamp our current election procedures, we should expand the practice of same-day voter registration (also called Election Day Registration), which is now the law in several states, and the District of Columbia. Same day registration (SDR) allows voters to register the day they cast a ballot. It has been known to increase voter turnout by as much as 12%.
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Voting, It's as Easy as 1-2-3 (for some)
by Amy Ngai // October 28, 2010 //Many voters, not kindergarteners, will be employing their basis counting skills come Election Day. That’s because a number of jurisdictions across the country have adopted Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) also known as ranked choice voting for electing local (and even statewide) offices.
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Redistricting Reform on November Ballot
by Brian Bennett // October 29, 2010 //Redistricting: a hot issue on the November ballot
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Gerrymandering, the film
by , Jo McKeegan // October 27, 2010 //Gerrymandering, (77 minutes, not rated), will be playing this Friday at the new West End Cinema in DC. The film, which cites FairVote Executive Director Rob Richie and works closely with EndGerrymandering.com, is a nonpartisan look at redistricting efforts
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From the "Non-Majority Rule" Desk: Pre-Election Roundup for Races with Potential Spoilers, Democrats' Dirty Tricks, and Howard Dean's Support for Majority Winner Elections
by Chris Marchsteiner, The Non-Majority Rule Desk // October 27, 2010 //In our final pre-election blog from the non-majority rule desk, evidence of the spoiler effect in this election cycle is still strong: many races remain too close to call.
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The Constitutional Right to Vote Blog
We must elevate the right to vote to the same standing as other fundamental democratic rights, such as freedom of speech, and freedom of assembly. Our vote is our voice. Each day brings new examples of why such protections are needed, which will be frequently chronicled in this blog.