Entries from 2010
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From the "Non-Majority Rule" Desk: Election Day Coverage of Non-Majority Winners and Spoilers
- Posted: November 3, 2010
- Author(s): The Non-Majority Rule Desk, Chris Marchsteiner
- Categories: Instant Runoff Voting, Reforms
Whether you are registered as a Democrat, Republican, independent, or third party, today should be a day for reflection on the flaws that obstruct true democracy in the United States.
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The Constitutional Right to Vote Blog: What elections tell us about how we protect the vote
- Posted: November 3, 2010
- Author(s): Jo McKeegan
- Categories: Right to Vote Amendment
Without clear constitutional protections, each individual citizen’s right to have a vote cast properly on Election Day is not constitutionally ensured. Missteps can and should be avoided with proper investment, training and attention to the mechanics of our elections. Voter apathy could be at least partially addressed with better civic education, starting in schools, but continuing into adult life with resources like voter guides. Until voting becomes a specifically enumerated right, we can expect to see concerns continue.
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Jordan: Boycotts and Tribalism Question Election's Credibility
- Posted: November 17, 2010
- Author(s): Andy Andrianantoandro
- Categories: Reforms, Middle East and Africa, Elections Worldwide
Jordan’s parliamentary elections took place on November 9 after a year of direct rule by King Abdullah II
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Being Pro-Voter is Not Partisan: 2010 Results Underscore how Republicans should not Fear Same-Day Voter Registration
- Posted: November 22, 2010
- Author(s): Rob Richie
- Categories: Right to Vote Amendment, FairVote
Upholding fair voter access and protecting voting rights should not be a partisan issue. In our decentralized system, however, some states do a better job at protecting these rights than others. Take for instance, the issue of Same Day Voter Registration (SDR); a sensible reform when implemented well which all too often has been inaccurately thought to advantage one major party (Democrats) at the expense of another (Republicans).
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Does mandatory voting restrict or expand democracy?
- Posted: October 18, 2010
- Author(s): Wael Abdel Hamid
- Categories: Elections Worldwide
Does mandatory voting restrict or expand democracy? For many people who have never heard about the idea, mandatory voting sounds very strict: requiring people to go to the polls on Election Day. In the United States, it seems strange to present an action many consider a right as a required duty. Nevertheless, in many foreign countries, mandatory voting (sometimes referred to as compulsory voting) is an obvious democratic option.
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Three Steps to a Smart Vote for the Upcoming Election
- Posted: October 14, 2010
- Author(s): Loqmane Jamil, Emily Hellman
- Categories: Universal Voter Registration, Election Services Group
At FairVote, we acknowledge elections can sometimes be confusing. As voters, we occasionally need to check the rules, too. However, with a few good resources voting does not need to be intimidating. Below are three steps to make your vote count.
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From the "Non-Majority Rule" Desk: Fake Third Party Candidates, Meek's Mixed Support, and the Unusual Cases of Illinois and Minnesota
- Posted: October 13, 2010
- Author(s): The Non-Majority Rule Desk, Chris Marchsteiner
- Categories: Instant Runoff Voting
There’s no shortage of news at the non-majority rule desk. The lead story this week was yet another instance of faux third party candidates, this time in a New Jersey U.S. House race.
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Virginia Governor takes action to improve voting rights
- Posted: September 28, 2010
- Author(s): Jo McKeegan
- Categories: Home, Right to Vote Amendment, Felon Disenfranchisement
The process of removing the right to vote from a person convicted of a crime was invented by the Romans and dubbed “civil death”. It is a process that several states in America still implement today, grounded in the disturbing fact that the U.S. Constitution does not provide a citizenship right to vote.
In most states, a person who has completed serving a felony conviction is allowed to register to vote. Other states restrict this right, and in a few remaining states like Virginia, this punishment is a lifelong ban unless a waiver is granted by the governor. Anyone moving into such a state with a past felony conviction will be breaking the law if they vote, even if coming from a state where they had full suffrage rights.
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From the "Non-Majority Rule" Desk: Undemocratic Rules Produce Undemocratic Results -- Even With Majority Victories
- Posted: September 28, 2010
- Author(s): The Non-Majority Rule Desk, Chris Marchsteiner
- Categories: Instant Runoff Voting
This week at the Non-Majority Rule desk I’m going to focus on lessons from two important developments in statewide races: the U.S. Senate race in Alaska and the race for governor in New York. Recent developments in the two states’ races demonstrate another aspect of the dangers of plurality voting: How it can shortcut democracy even when majority victories are ultimately produced.
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Brazil's Presidential Hopefuls Face Runoff, National Congress Needs Reform
- Posted: October 14, 2010
- Author(s): Andy Andrianantoandro
- Categories: Americas, Elections Worldwide
On October 31st, a runoff will take place in Brazil’s presidential election. The leading candidate, Dilma Rousseff of the Worker’s Party (PT), failed to gain the 50% majority needed during the first round on October 3rd with just 47%.