Political Reform Program

Oakland, Berkeley and San Leandro are ready to use Instant Runoff Voting in city elections this year.

The U.S. Senate is an unrepresentative body. California’s 38 million people and Wyoming, with only a half million people, are each represented by two senators. How long will Americans ignore this constitutional defect?

Instant Runoff Voting could save Los Angeles taxpayers millions of dollars currently spent on unnecessary elections. Last May, $5 million was spent on a runoff where only 6 percent of voters showed up.

What kind of change does California need? Here are resources and ideas from New America and elsewhere for political reform and for addressing the budget crisis.