3:30 pm – 5:00pm
WHERE: Washington College of Law
American University
4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW (Room 603)
CONTACT: Ryan O’Donnell
Communications Director
(301) 270-4616 / [email protected]
Former presidential candidate John B. Anderson, law professor Jamin Raskin, Nirvana bassist-turned-activist Kirst Novoselic, Rev. Edward Hailes, and other members of FairVote’s board will speak about election reform in the United States.
Highlights of the presentation will include:
· A Right to Vote Amendment
Professor Raskin will speak about the necessity of a federally guaranteed right to vote, and empowering Congress to set universal standards for elections administration.
· Full Representation
Today, we witness a 99% incumbency rate in Congress. Krist Novoselic will speak on how multi-seat congressional districts can ensure that a healthy level of competition characterizes our democracy. Rev. Edward Hailes will explain how proportional representation is the common sense solution for smaller levels of government as well.
· Direct Election of the President
The movement toward direct election has been ongoing in America for a century, and is stronger than ever before. The presentation will outline the case for majority elections, and suggest alternatives to the failed experiment that is the Electoral College.
· Instant Runoff Voting (IRV)
John Anderson will speak on how IRV encourages participation and positive campaigning, and will lend his experiences and insight into the larger issue of election reform in our country.