PSN Works with State Legislators and advocates in supporting effective legislative campaigns to promote policy change state by state Read more about how PSN can support you
Overview
Nov 04 2008
Voter turnout rates are tragically low in this country. Even the record-breaking turnout of the recent presidential primaries reached a mere third of eligible adults in only nine states. In the general election that followed, turnout was less than two-thirds of eligible adults, placing us well below peer nations. Even the states with the highest turnout rates, such as Alaska, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, have turn-out significantly below high-turnout nations such as Austria, Italy, and the Czech Republic.
An election system that fosters broad participation is essential to bringing about progressive change for the simple reason that a majority of people, especially many not currently voting, support the goals that progressives are striving to achieve. Equally important for progressive reform is encouraging participation by groups who have been and continue to be marginalized politically. Reducing the demographic and socio-economic skew in the electorate will strengthen the voice of groups that support traditionally progressive goals such as civil rights, health care reform, and economic justice. A host of reforms can help increase the percentage of people who vote and bring more racial, ethnic, and socio-economic diversity to the electorate.
Registration remains the biggest procedural hurdle to voting. It is crucial that this barrier be lowered or removed altogether if we are to become a society where a large majority of people participate in elections. We can use a number of tools to simplify the registration and voting process, particularly for young people, to build a stronger culture of civic participation.
From The Dispatch
Core Analysis
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Clean and Fair Elections: Policy Options for 2009 - Clean and Fair Elections: Policy Options Download a PDF copy of "Clean and Fair Elections: Policy…
In the News
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Report: Michigan voters wrongly purged from rolls - Michigan Messenger - Thousands of people may have been wrongly removed from the state’s registered voter database due to a botched list management effort undertaken by the Michigan Bureau of Elections under pressure from the Bush administration. <p> Between July 2006 and June 2009, state officials working under Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land conducted an unprecedented centralized and computer-assisted purge of the state’s voter database, according to the nonpartisan voting rights group the Michigan Election Reform Alliance. </p>
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Bill would let Michigan voters register online - Detroit News - Shopping, banking -- even paying taxes -- is common in cyberspace. And registering to vote in Michigan soon could be, too. <p> A proposed law passed recently in the state House is intended to make the process more convenient, boost voter turnout and cut the state's costs to register voters, said its main sponsor, State Rep. Lesia Liss, D-Warren. </p> <p> "You can register online for selective service, we pay our taxes online," she said. "So why not make online voter registration a priority as well?" </p>
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MA: Same-day voter registration proposal has pros and cons - Waltham Daily News Tribune - Supporters of a bill to allow voters to register on Election Day say it will improve citizen participation in democracy as it has in nine states that allow the system. But some municipal officials and the secretary of state worry about the cost and potential confusion of such a system.
Resource Organizations
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Brennan Center for Justice - Democracy Program - The Democracy Program collaborates with grassroots groups, advocacy organizations and reform-minded government officials to change the ways in which citizens participate in their government by fixing the systems that discourage voting, hinder competition and promote the interests of the few over the rights of the many. The Center advances these goals using tools of research, policy analysis and publications, media outreach and public education, legislative counseling and advocacy and legal action.
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FairVote - FairVote acts to transform our elections to achieve universal access to participation, a full spectrum of meaningful ballot choices and majority rule with fair representation for all. As a catalyst for change, we build support for innovative strategies to win a constitutionally protected right to vote, universal voter registration, a national popular vote for president, instant runoff voting and proportional representation.
