Category: Access

6 More States Consider Adopting Independent Redistricting Groups

Independent Voter Network, 23 February 2015

Redistricting has been a contentious process since the early 1800s, when Governor Elbridge Gerry signed a bill that reshaped electoral districts in Massachusetts to benefit the Democratic-Republicans. This manipulation of the redistricting process was nicknamed a Gerry-Mander, partially after Governor Gerry, and partially after the shape of one of the Boston districts, which resembled a salamander.

The practice, now commonly referred to as gerrymandering, presents a challenge to the U.S.’s republican system, where representatives are supposed to represent all of the voters in a given district. In an attempt to curb the practice, 9 states have already implemented independent redistricting commissions designed to make the redistricting process fairer and more representative of a population. Additionally,13 states use a hybrid method involving more than one government branch or agency working together to draw district lines.

Continue reading “Shawn Griffiths: 6 More States Consider Independent Redistricting”

IVN Steele on Electoral Reform Part 16: The Statement of Demand

Independent Voter Network, 20 April 2012

I am neither wealthy nor influential.  All I have is intelligence and integrity.  Neither of these appear to be in demand at this time.  As I look at all of the candidates running for President — without exception — I see stunted human beings who are self-centered and not at all able to play well with others.

Continue reading “IVN Steele on Electoral Reform Part 16: The Statement of Demand”

IVN Steele on Electoral Reform Part 15: The Pledge

Independent Voter Network, 18 April 2012

The Pledge was conceived by others reluctant to press upon the Members a full-up Electoral Reform Act of 2012.  While I strongly disagree — we cannot delay on the specifics — I respect the intent and below put the full text of the Pledge.

Continue reading “IVN Steele on Electoral Reform Part 15: The Pledge”

IVN Steele on Electoral Reform Part 13: Overview of the Action Plan

Independent Voter Network, 16 April 2012

Occupy is in my view a huge good thing, and it changes everything. Stabs at electoral reform have been taken in the past, with legislation submitted nine times (four of those times by Ron Paul).  In each instance the two-party tyranny has laughed at the concept of real democracy–they like their monopoly and their immunity from accountability.

Continue reading “IVN Steele on Electoral Reform Part 14: Overview of the Action Plan”

Steele on Electoral Reform — Part 13: Overview of the Ethics

Independent Voter Network, 13 April 2012

One of the most heartening aspects of my connecting electoral reform to Occupy and then via YouTube to the Reddit community, has been opportunity to meet pioneers who have been dedicated to this matter much longer than I have, and who have made contributions of such depth and persistence as to merit our huge appreciation.

Eva Waskell is one of those pioneers.  She has, with others, been focused on the integrity of elections for over a decade.

Continue reading “IVN Steele on Electoral Reform Part 13: Overview of the Ethics”