Political Reform Program

Archives: Political Reform Program Events

A New Era of Politics: Campaigning with Ranked Choice Voting

Thursday, May 13, 2010 - 12:00pm

This November, Oakland, Berkeley and San Leandro will join San Francisco in using Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) to elect local offices. With RCV, voters can rank a first, second and third choice, and winning candidates are elected in a single November election instead of over two elections in June and November. This boosts turnout, saves taxpayers the cost of a second election and saves candidates the cost of fundraising for two elections.

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Europe's Promise

Thursday, January 21, 2010 - 12:15pm

On January 21, 2010, the New America Foundation hosted Steven Hill, director of the Political Reform Program at New America, to discuss his new book, Europe’s Promise: Why the European Way is the Best Hope in an Insecure Age. The purpose of government today, Steven Hill stated, is to advance institutions that will create a high quality of life for our growing populations while simultaneously sustaining our planet.

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CA EVENT: Southern California Constitutional Convention Town Hall

Saturday, July 18, 2009 - 9:30am
The Southern California Constitutional Convention Town Hall focused on introducing and educating the community to the concept and gathering feedback from the public. Featuring panels of elected officials, issues experts, and community leaders, this event was Southern Californian residents’ first major opportunity to learn and ask questions about this powerful method to reform the state, and give input into a process that could profoundly affect California for generations to come.

 

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CA EVENT: A Constitutional Convention for California? (Santa Monica)

Friday, July 17, 2009 - 7:15pm
Citizens, community groups, and experts from across the state came together to discuss a California constitutional convention. How might it come about? How could it help our cities, schools, budget and government?

Video is available below.
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The Future of the Voting Rights Act

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 9:30am

Sponsored by the New America Foundation and FairVote.

On June 22, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its much-anticipated voting rights ruling in the NAMUDNO case (Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District v. Holder). Many long-time experts are sifting through the decision to understand the broad implications for the future of voting rights protections and minority representation in the United States.

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CA EVENT: California v 2.0

Monday, June 22, 2009 - 1:00pm

Faced with a deepening budget crisis and a paralyzed political system, a growing number of Californians have concluded that their government needs a complete overhaul. Join us to meet the leaders of the reform movement, to explore different paths to fundamental change, and to discuss some ideas for creating “California v 2.0,” an upgraded political system that meets the challenges of the 21st century.

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CA EVENT: Instant Runoff Voting (San Jose)

Thursday, June 11, 2009 - 1:00pm

In order to be elected to office in San Jose, a candidate must secure a majority of the votes cast. Sounds simple enough, but if no candidate receives a majority, then a runoff election is held in which the top candidates must compete again. This process is not only lengthy and results in voter fatigue and low voter turnout, but can cost $500,000 per election. There must be a better way to elect our leaders.

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CA Event: Instant Runoff Voting in Los Angeles

Monday, June 2, 2008 - 1:00pm

On Monday, June 2nd, the New America Foundation's Political Reform Program held an engaging panel discussion and luncheon on instant runoff voting (IRV) in Los Angeles.

Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) is a critical electoral reform for the City of Los Angeles that allows voters to rank a first, second and third choice for each office. IRV elects majority winners in a single election without the expense and voter fatigue of a second election. IRV holds great promise to increase voter turnout while saving taxpayers $8 million dollars each election cycle (source: LA city clerk).

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CA Event: Instant Runoff Voting and Minorities in L.A.

Saturday, April 19, 2008 - 11:00am
Currently, Los Angeles' local elections run on a wasteful, two-round election system. Last May, only 6 percent of voters turned out for the runoff election for the Los Angeles Community College Districts -- an election that cost taxpayers $5 million, or $40 per voter. For this reason, the LA City Council is seriously considering Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) for local elections.
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California Event: Repairing California Democracy

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 1:00pm

There is a widening breach between most of the 35 million people residing in California and the fewer than 9 million who actually vote. Seven million Californians are eligible to vote but for one reason or another don’t bother. A small group of frequent voters, who are richer, whiter, older and hold different opinions on education, social spending, Prop.13, and more compared to their nonvoting neighbors -- form the majority that decides which candidates win and which ballot measures pass.

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