FairVote Blog
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Voter Error in Top Two Primary Can Be Far Higher than in RCV Races
by Eli Hanson-Metayer, Rob Richie // August 12, 2014 //
You might think that nothing could be easier than voting for one candidate in an election, but analysis of voter error in California’s Top Two primary system shows surprisingly high rates of invalidated ballots in such vote-for-one elections; much higher than the normal error rate in elections conducted by ranked choice voting. -
Wisconsin Supreme Court Ruling Highlights Need for a Constitutional Right to Vote
by , Austin Plier // August 11, 2014 //
The Wisconsin Supreme Court's Decision to uphold the state's controversial voter ID law illustrates the need for an explicit, individual Right to Vote in the U.S. Constitution. -
Details Matter: The Oregon Top Two Twist
by Rob Richie, Drew Spencer // August 11, 2014 //This year, another Top Two elections proposal will appear on the Oregon ballot, but this time with an unusual detail that may have a big impact.
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Fair Voting in California - Will Santa Barbara Join Santa Clarita?
by Drew Spencer // August 8, 2014 //In July, the city of Santa Barbara became the most recent in a string of California cities being sued under the California Voting Rights Act for diluting the votes of their Latino population. By electing candidates at-large with fair voting, Santa Barbara could remedy any alleged vote dilution in a race neutral way, avoid the pitfalls of redistricting, and encourage the equitable election of women.
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FairVote Proposes Solutions to Florida's Congressional Redistricting Dilemma in 2014
by Devin McCarthy , Rob Richie // August 8, 2014 //Florida is facing an electoral quandary as two of its congressional districts have been found to violate the state constitution, and the legislature is redrawing the maps as November elections loom. The legislature does not want to use the new map in 2014, but FairVote's analysis outlines two plans that could resolve the crisis. The better of these plans would also improve the representation of Florida voters in the process.
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Bipartisan Push to Restore Voting Rights
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Rand Paul (R-KY) unveiled a bipartisan approach to restore voting rights to citizens with felony convictions.
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Major County Shows Leadership on Ways to Boost Participation
The Montgomery County Right to Vote Task Force issued its final report and recommendations, affirming the Council's commitment to increasing voter participation, improving election practices, and supporting an affirmative right to vote.
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Louisiana's New Voter Pre-Registration Law Features Automatic Registration
by Rebecca Hellmich, Rebecca Hellmich // July 11, 2014 //
Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal in May signed a law establishing voting pre-registration for 16-year-olds. The law features an innovative "opt-out" approach to voter registration that will further boost registration and participation. Louisiana has a history of such innovative election policy. -
What's the Matter with California Turnout?
by Duncan Hosie, Rob Richie // July 10, 2014 //
California experienced record low voter turnout in the recent primary election, but adopting FairVote's four electoral reforms can help increase participation. -
World Cup of Democracy Goes to the Netherlands
While the FIFA World Cup will decide the best soccer team in the world, the World Cup of Democracy will decide the best democracy in the world. See how the tournament played out after the jump.