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ELECTION REFORM
The
Brookings Register: Open primary question
may make 2024 ballot in South Dakota
It’s a well-worn adage that
politics are about timing, and that’s especially true when it comes to
citizen-led ballot measures in South Dakota. South Dakota Open
Primaries has submitted a petition for a constitutional amendment to
establish top-two primaries – sometimes called "jungle primaries" –
for governor, Congress, state legislative, and county races.
All registered voters would be
eligible to weigh in on which candidates advance to the general
election. Currently, Independent voters in South Dakota can vote in
Democratic primaries but not Republican contests.
Penn Live: I see a
need for more serious legislators than the closed primary process
produces.
Pennsylvania is one of only nine
states with a fully closed primary election. This means that only
registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for candidates in our
primary elections. Legislation has recently been introduced in both
the Pennsylvania State House and Senate to open our primary elections
to independent voters. This legislation would allow independents to
pick a party primary in which to participate. Independent voters are
among the fastest-growing segment of the electorate in many states
including Pennsylvania.
Anchorage
Daily News: OPINION: Open primaries and
ranked choice voting reflect Alaskans' spirit
The "pick one" primary and ranked
choice voting (RCV) general election are a reflection of Alaska’s
independent spirit. The largest party of registered voters in Alaska
is the "non-party" – the commonsense, no-nonsense group sandwiched
between the two main parties. If anything has been driving down civic
engagement and voter participation, it is the divisive rhetoric and
ineffectiveness of our governing bodies. The open primary helps level
the playing field and temper the partisan antics. Common sense and
good government can prevail with the help of RCV.
GERRYMANDERING
NPR: Is drawing a
voting map that helps a political party illegal? Only in some
states
A recent unusual ruling by North
Carolina's highest court has put a spotlight on the patchwork of state
laws and court decisions that determine where maps of voting districts
can be drawn to make elections less competitive and certain political
parties more likely to win. The practice is known as partisan
gerrymandering, which, courts have found, both Republicans and
Democrats have deployed when in control of redistricting.
CNN: Supreme Court
agrees to take up South Carolina racial gerrymandering
case
The Supreme Court agreed on Monday
to consider a lower court decision that struck down a congressional
district in South Carolina as an illegal racial gerrymander. The lower
court held that the congressional district – which includes Charleston
– "constituted and unconstitutional racial gerrymander in violation of
the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment because race
was the predominant factor in the adoption of the" plan.
BIPARTISANSHIP
AP: Wisconsin
lawmakers unveil bipartisan election overhauls
Wisconsin lawmakers unveiled
bipartisan plans on Thursday to address problems that have disrupted
how elections have been administered in the presidential battleground
state since 2020. Among other changes, the proposals would prevent
last-minute polling site closures, better protect election officials
and enact stricter military voting requirements to deter fraud. The
bills add to a growing list of proposals from a group of Democrats and
Republicans focused on making the state’s elections safer and more
secure. Their efforts stand in stark contrast to bills put forth by
GOP lawmakers during the last legislative session that sought to limit
local clerks’ power and make it harder to vote.
Axios:
Scoop: House centrist groups eye bipartisan policy
partnership
Two groups whose membership
accounts for nearly 1/3 of the House of Representatives have been
quietly meeting to explore potential areas of bipartisan cooperation,
Axios has learned. Why it matters: The combined muscle of the
center-left New Democrat Coalition and center-right Republican
Governance Group gives them greater leverage for joint initiatives
than the 61-member Problem Solvers Caucus (formed by No
Labels).
COUNTRY OVER PARTY
Country Music Superstar, Dolly Parton, calls
out politicians focused more on helping their parties than the people
in her new song.
Actions you can take right now to
help make a difference!
WATCH our newest advertisement, updated after the
ousting of Tucker Carlson at Fox News! Share it with your friends!
SIGN the petition demanding that Congressman
Santos resigns in shame!
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First is dedicated to providing each member with the opportunity to
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Groups (NVWG) are separated by interest and are aligned with one of
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