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Favorable court rulings support better democracy   “The two recent court rulings concerning the Make Elections Fair Act are welcome news for all who want to strengthen democracy in Arizona by establishing open primaries. Make Elections Fair Arizona is to be congratulated for its insistence that the description of the ballot measure be accurate and that the ballot initiative is not unconstitutional as opponents claimed. Holding open primaries for each office and allowing all candidates regardless of party affiliation or no affiliation to be on the same ballot while permitting all voters to participate in those primaries is a significant victory for democracy. All candidates will have the freedom to compete with all other candidates and voters will have the freedom to choose from all candidates. The result will be increased voter participation and a reinvigorated democracy.” https://lnkd.in/e4XJgpsz

Our electoral system is a crucial aspect of our democracy and merits thoughtful consideration. In the 2024 elections, BJP secured power with 36.9% of the votes, highlighting the need for potential reforms. Exploring alternatives to the current first-past-the-post model could enhance representation and fairness in the Indian electoral landscape. One such alternative is Proportional Representation (PR), where parties gain seats based on the proportion of votes received. This model not only aligns more closely with voters' preferences but also fosters a diverse multi-party system, ensuring smaller parties have a voice and reducing the issue of "wasted votes." Another promising option is Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV), or Instant Runoff Voting, where voters prioritize candidates. Through a process of elimination and vote redistribution, this system ensures a candidate with broad support emerges victorious, minimizes the impact of "spoiler" candidates, and encourages civil campaigning. As we reflect on ways to strengthen our electoral framework, exploring innovative models like PR and RCV could pave the way for a more representative and inclusive democracy. It's essential to consider these alternatives to ensure that the voices of all voters are heard and valued. #ElectoralReform #Democracy #Representation #IndianElections #Electioncommission

Yesterday, voters across the nation made crucial choices in judicial elections. Here are a few notable takeaways: • In contested elections, incumbents on state high courts in Mississippi, North Carolina, and Ohio appear to have been defeated. • In Oklahoma, retention elections for three justices are too close to call. Two are slightly above 50% “yes” votes, while one is slightly below. • Over 75% of Arizona voters rejected a proposed amendment to remove retention elections from the state’s judicial selection system. • A majority of New Hampshire voters backed raising the mandatory retirement age for judges to 75, but the measure appears to have failed as it didn’t meet the required two-thirds majority. For full results, visit NCSC at ncsc.org/elections. #JudicialElections

Do you know who is in charge of elections in SLO County? Or that it differs from who's in charge in other states? Here in California, the County Clerk-Recorder also serves as the Registrar of Voters and conducts elections for all Federal, State and County offices, as well as for school boards, special districts, and community service districts. City Clerks in each of the 7 local cities run elections for their city contests -- though those contests are generally combined with the others onto a single ballot that's printed and counted by the Clerk-Recorder in the Elections Office. If you're interested in digging into the specifics of local elections and how they vary from state to state, the United States Election Assistance Commission provides useful resources on their website at eac.gov/vote. And of course, you can always find in-depth information about our elections here at home on the SLO County Clerk-Recorder's website at https://lnkd.in/gESP3J7i.

Bill Alert! US House Bill HR 155 - To require States to permit unaffiliated voters to vote in primary elections for Federal office, and for other purposes. Full Details: https://lnkd.in/eR_3muNz Bill 119 HR 155, also known as the "Open Primaries Act," aims to require states to allow unaffiliated voters to participate in primary elections for federal offices. Currently, many states have closed primary systems, where only registered members of a political party can vote in that party's primary. This bill seeks to expand access to the primary process by allowing unaffiliated voters, who do not belong to any political party, to also particip...

Bill Alert! US House Bill HR 155 - To require States to permit unaffiliated voters to vote in primary elections for Federal office, and for other purposes. Status: Bill Introduced Full Details: https://lnkd.in/eR_3muNz Bill 119 HR 155, also known as the "Open Primaries Act," aims to require states to allow unaffiliated voters to participate in primary elections for federal offices. Currently, many states have closed primary systems, where only registered members of a political party can vote in that party's primary. This bill seeks to expand access to the primary process by allowing unaffiliated voters, who do not belong to any political party, to also particip...

🗳️ Educated Voters, Take Note! 🗳️ How can voters ensure they make informed decisions during elections? Elections are about more than just symbolic gestures or endorsements. 🗳️ They are about evaluating candidates based on their policies, performance, and leadership capabilities. While candidates may visit places of worship or seek endorsements, don't let these acts distract you from the real issues. Focus on their track record, plans, and how they address key issues like the economy, education, and social justice. 📊 As educated voters, your responsibility is to make decisions based on facts and informed judgment. 🧠 Prioritize substance over symbolism and contribute to a healthier, more democratic electoral process. ✨ #EducatedVoters #Election2024 #SriLankanYouthVote #SLElection

College towns across the country tend to vote democratically based on previous elections: According to the American Communities Project, Democrats won in these areas in both the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections. Though there is a trend, the data alone can’t capture the thoughts and feelings of voters.  Full article: https://lnkd.in/ertgsN5Y This article is part of the ACP's collaboration with The Free Press and Michigan State University students to tell the stories of voters, their experiences, and their political motivations in communities across Michigan this election season. #collegetowns #2024election #voices #voters

Prop 140 is known as the Make Elections Fair Act and is one of the 2024 Arizona ballot initiatives voters will be deciding in this election. 🗳️ This measure would open primary elections to all voters regardless of party affiliation, including independents. All candidates would appear on the same ballot and that ballot would be sent to all registered voters. ✅ Arguments for Prop 140: The number of independent voters is only growing in Arizona, with more and more people, including younger generations, trending to register as independent. Prop 140 will allow independent voters to more easily participate in Arizona primary elections and assist Arizonans in passing responsive election reforms. ❌ Arguments against Prop 140: Our current primary system for partisan offices should be preserved. Open primaries can make ballots longer and more complex. The existing primary system ensures equal and fair representation of each registered party so their voters have a voice in the General Election. Watch the full Better Together podcast episode featuring Kimber Lanning from Local First Arizona and Adam Goodman from Goodmans to get more details on Proposition 140: https://lnkd.in/gXNuP6GQ ➡️ Get information on all of the 2024 Arizona ballot propositions at https://lnkd.in/g8kxWC4A #BetterTogetherAZ #VoteAZ #Vote2024 #ArizonaEarlyVoting #VotingInAZ #YourVoteIsYourVoice #WhyIVote #IVoteBecause #ArizonaVoting #Prop140AZ #ArizonaProp140 #Prop140Arizona #ArizonaMakeElectionsFairAct #ArizonaBallotPropositions2024 #ArizonaBallotInitiatives2024 #ArizonaBallotMeasures2024 #ArizonaBallot2024 #Arizona2024BallotMeasures

RESPECTFUL CAMPAIGINING Election campaigns can become toxic when they shift away from a focus on policies and solutions, instead resorting to negative tactics that undermine constructive dialogue. Common factors that contribute to  toxic campaigns include negative campaigning, personal smears, misinformation, hostility between groups reducing the opportunity for balanced debate and fear mongering. With local government elections coming up, a few weeks ago I had a conversation with my councillor colleagues about the necessity of ensuring that this year’s local government elections in Glen Eira are conducted in a respectful manner that ensures safety for all. We collectively decided that it was important to encourage all candidates and community members to actively participate and promote the values of fairness, tolerance and respect for other’s views and we committed to this by putting a statement on our website. We believe in the right to express diverse viewpoints provided it is done respectfully without causing harm.  We at Glen Eira City Council stand behind these values and we encourage all candidates and community members to stand with us to ensure these elections are safe and respectful. Read our full statement here: https://lnkd.in/gAqPAsjk #RespectfulCampaigning #localgovernmentelections #civility #cultureinlocalgovernment Australian Local Government Women's Association (National ALGWA)ALGWA VIC Victorian Local Governance Association Australian Local Government Association Chris Eddy Rhys Thomas Kathryn Arndt Ruth McGowan OAM Women for Election Pathways to Politics for Women