Content Authored by Patrick Withers
1 - 8 of 8 results
-
Redistricting Reform in the States: June 2010
- Posted: June 16, 2011
- Author(s): Billy Organek, Patrick Withers
- Categories: Research & Analysis, All Reports
FairVote's most recent review of redistricting reform in the states in 2009-2010 presents a mix of optimism and frustration for supporters of redistricting in the public interest rather than in the best interest of the political duopoly.
-
California's Proposition 14: Democracy Enhanced or Denied?
- Posted: August 5, 2010
- Author(s): Patrick Withers
- Categories: Home
Does California's Prop 14 live up to its goal of enhancing California elections? No, says FairVote. However, there are easy fixes to make California election law more open and representative.
-
California's Proposition 14: Weaknesses and Remedies
- Posted: August 5, 2010
- Author(s): Rob Richie, Patrick Withers
- Categories: Home
FairVote analyzes the policy and legal ramifications of Proposition 14 (The "Top Two Primaries Act") In California and gives recommendations of ways to roll back some of its worst effects by statute.
-
The November Illinois Senate Election and the Value of Voting
- Posted: August 4, 2010
- Author(s): Patrick Withers
- Categories: U.S. Senate Vacancy Elections
Illinois voters will vote twice this November for US Senate, one to fill the seat for six years and one to sill the seat for a matter of weeks. What does this admittedly bizzare situation have to teach us about the value of democracy?
-
Colorado, the GOP, and IRV
- Posted: July 26, 2010
- Author(s): Patrick Withers
- Categories: Ranked Choice Voting, Reforms
One major political party in Colorado sees first hand the weaknesses of our current electoral system. Will they also see the solution?
-
Redistricting Reform in the States: June 2010
- Posted: June 24, 2010
- Author(s): Billy Organek, Patrick Withers
- Categories: Reforms, Research & Analysis, All Reports
FairVote's most recent review of redistricting reform in the states in 2009-2010 presents a mix of optimism and frustration for supporters of redistricting in the public interest rather than in the best interest of the political duopoly.
-
Drawn Into the Fray: Thinking Outside the Single Member District Box
- Posted: June 23, 2010
- Author(s): Patrick Withers
- Categories: Ranked Choice Voting
Since the foundation of our democracy, gerrymandering, or the strategic drawing of districts to somehow bias the electoral result, has been an important, albeit nefarious, component of American politics. It is common, especially in census years, for voters to rail against politicians on both sides of the aisle for using gerrymandering to secure their own party's power. While there is plenty of blame to go around, perhaps there is a larger problem lying underneath the surface. Perhaps the problem lies in the creation of single-member districts itself.
-
Low Turnout, Voter Fatigue, and Patchwork Primaries
- Posted: June 10, 2010
- Author(s): Patrick Withers
- Categories: Ranked Choice Voting
Do marathon election seasons make for the best democracy possible? Voter turnout statistics seem to suggest no.