IVN Steele on Electoral Reform Part 7: Representation

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Robert David STEELE Vivas
Robert David STEELE Vivas

Steele on Electoral Reform – Part 7: Representation

Enact Open Registration. Enact Proportional Representation via the Voting process (Part: 3) with full integration of the Electoral Integrity Principles (Part: 1) and full use of national referendums (Part: 4). What this means is that no voting block comprising 5% or more of the population, across the country or across any state, will lack for designated representation in the national or the respective state legislatures.

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I confess that all these calculations make my head hurt.  A Citizens Wisdom Council would be helpful here.  The bottom line is that while the other elements of the Electoral Reform Act of 2012 mandate aspects of process, this one focuses on a desired outcome.  If there are enough Light Party members across the country to comprise 5% or more, then the Light Party must be represented by at least one Member in the House of Representatives.

Click on Image to Enlarge
Click on Image to Enlarge

This is an element that requires further deliberation and adjustments in how we vote.  This is very complicated.  A major part of the problem in the past has been the result of the two-party tyranny displacing the center and making it impossible for the diversity of voices across America to be heard.  In the graphic here to the right, created, with permission, on the basis of a simpler depiction in Michael Crane, The Political Junkie Handbook: A Definitive Reference Book on Politics (SPI Books, 2004).

Of special concern to me in the manner in which the two-party tyranny has repressed the common-sense centrist views of their moderates.  Those moderates desperately need alternative parties, and while I certainly believe the existing certified active national committee parties should continue to grow (Constitution, Green, Libertarian, Reform), there is no question but that the Justice Party, being created this year, meets a need.

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Previous: Part 6: Cabinet

Next: Part 8: Districts

IVN Steele on Electoral Reform Part 6: Cabinet

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Robert David STEELE Vivas
Robert David STEELE Vivas

Steele on Electoral Reform – Part 6: Cabinet

Independent Voter Network, 17 March 2012

Presidential candidates must name prospective individuals to all Cabinet positions at least 90 days prior to Election Day, and those individuals must participate in such debates as the states might organize, and at least one national debate for each of the positions.

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IVN Steele on Electoral Reform Part 5: Debates

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Robert David STEELE Vivas
Robert David STEELE Vivas

Steele on Electoral Reform – Part 5: Debates

Independent Voter Network, 16 March 2012

Each state shall sponsor at least one presidential debate for a total of 50 debates, each state determining the questions, format, and participants. Each state shall sponsor at least one cabinet-level debate among designated individuals, e.g. the Attorney General, Secretary of Homeland Defense, etcetera. National debates shall be based on national polls that are open-ended with respect to who voters wish to see and hear participate in such debates. Candidates must participate in all debates to be eligible for free and equal access to public media.

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IVN Steele on Electoral Reform Part 4: Voting for Issues

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Robert David STEELE Vivas
Robert David STEELE Vivas

Steele on Electoral Reform – Part 4: Voting for Issues

Independent Voters Network, 11 March 2012

“Voters in all jurisdictions -the nation, states, counties, localities, school boards, water districts, etc.- shall all have the right to propose and vote on legislation, including amendments to constitutions, charters, etc., in parallel with representatives. Improvements over existing initiative processes should be included, such as the ones incorporated in the National Initiative for Democracy and now in use in Oregon.

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IVN Steele on Electoral Reform Part 3: Voting for People

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Robert David STEELE Vivas
Robert David STEELE Vivas

Steele on Electoral Reform – Part 3: Voting for People

Independent Voter Network, 9 March 2012

All national, state, and local elections must immediately begin, and by Election Day 2014 complete, the process of phasing out plurality voting and adopting a better voting system. An improved voting system should collect more information from voters using improved ballot design, and use that information to accomplish at least two of the following three goals:

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IVN Steele on Electoral Reform Part 2: Ballot Access

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Robert David STEELE Vivas
Robert David STEELE Vivas

Steele on Electoral Reform – Part 2: Ballot Access

Independent Voter News, 9 March 2012

Ballot access requirements shall be the same for every candidate, irrespective of party affiliation. Equal access includes access to debates. This shall also apply to initiatives and referenda, and to primary elections. No state shall be eligible to receive federal funding in any amount or form absent its implementation of this provision in time for 2012 and thereafter.

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IVN Steele on Electoral Reform Part 1: Process

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Robert David STEELE Vivas
Robert David STEELE Vivas

Steele on Electoral Reform Part 1: Process

Independent Voter Network, 6 March 2012

The election process shall reflect the eleven International Election Integrity Principles of Transparency, Chain of Custody, Observer Access, Checks & Balances, Enforcement of Election Laws, Right to Paper Ballot and Open Source Software, Right to Polls and Protection of Poll Workers; Right to Photograph & Videotape; Right to Full Education, Right to Full Disclosure of Numeric Calculations & Assumptions, and Right to Review Raw Data Files at Point of Origin. For the purposes of this Act, precinct-based Hand-Countable Paper Ballots (HCPB) shall be the national, state, and local standard until such time as a national referendum validates alternative solution, specifically the implementation of open source / mandatory paper ballot printing and tabulation systems

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