From the Desk of
John B. Anderson
December 19, 2003
Dear Friends and Supporters of the Center
for Voting and Democracy,
A month ago I stood in a plenary hall
of the Washington Convention Center, making my opening remarks
about the Center for Voting and Democracy and the urgent demand for
fair election voting methods to some 500 attendees of our Claim
Democracy conference. It was a thrilling moment and a fine cap
to another remarkable year.
Following me at the podium were a series of
wonderful speakers, including the Center’s Rashad Robinson and Rob
Richie. I was particularly pleased to hear Texas state legislator
Garnet Coleman highlight full representation alternatives to
winner-take-all elections (which, boosted by his 1995 legislation,
are now in place in more than 40 Texas localities) and offer them as
the ultimate solution to the ugly partisan gerrymandering he and
many fellow legislators dramatically fought earlier this year. The
crowd and I then marveled at the power of Congressman Jesse Jackson
Jr.’s call for adding a right-to-vote to the Constitution to ground
his efforts for necessary reforms like instant runoff voting.
Claim
Democracy was the most recent example of the Center’s ability
and desire to work with a range of others in building a strong,
vibrant pro-democracy network – what we call the Democracy USA
initiative. Nearly every major electoral reform group, more than 75
in all, signed onto our conference call-to-action and helped make
the conference a resounding success. 140 presenters discussed a full
range of reforms in more than 60 sessions – a testament to the
organizing ability of our small but talented staff.
In 2004 we
will work with reformers and elected officials across the country to
pursue pro-democracy reforms. Given our polarized, unrepresentative,
non-participatory politics, the case for our signature reforms –
instant runoff voting to ensure majority rule and
allow more choices and full representation to open up
our legislatures to voices that are silenced by winner-take-all
elections – grows stronger with each passing year.
To
succeed, however, we need your ongoing
support.
I know that, like me,
many of you receive appeals from countless worthy organizations, but
let me explain why I hope you will support the Center as generously
as you can. Here is a review of some of our most timely projects
planned for 2004:
- IRV
Defense and Education: We have obtained three new grants to
help our Center’s Steven Hill to: 1) build and maintain support
for instant runoff voting in San Francisco, which adopted IRV in
March 2002 and is set to finally use the new system in the
November 2004 city elections; 2) assist community-based
organizations in promoting effective participation in the initial
IRV elections.
IRV
will also keep us busy outside San Francisco. Due to our advocacy,
the number of states considering IRV bills rose from none in
1995-1996 to at least 20 this year, including four (Florida, Maine,
New Mexico and Vermont) where state senate leaders publicly
supported IRV. With leaders like Sen. John McCain and Gov. Howard
Dean backing IRV, momentum keeps growing.
- Nirvana
in Washington – A New Voice for Full Representation:
Krist Novoselic made his name as Nirvana’s bass player, but we
know him as a passionate, thoughtful advocate of fair elections.
He seeks to be Washington’s next lieutenant governor, and his 2004
campaign will highlight his proposal to elect the state house of
representatives by full representation. Full representation
already has strong support in Washington and fits the state well.
We hope to build on interest generated by his campaign,
particularly among young people.
- Fair
Elections in the Media: I marvel at how, in the midst of the
pressing demands of our efforts to assist reformers, produce
reports and plan events, the Center’s staff can generate as much
published writing and media coverage as they do – with by-lines
and quotes once again in nearly all major newspapers in 2003. With another round of our
groundbreaking Monopoly Politics analysis of congressional
elections and the countless hooks of a presidential campaign, look
for more commentary in 2004, along with articles by Rob Richie and
Steven Hill in the Nation and American Prospect and
more radio and television appearances.
- North
Carolina Fair Elections: We know that indepth focus on a state
can make a big difference and are excited to have a grant for the
first year of a potential multi-year educational and organizing
effort about IRV and full representation in North Carolina.
Working closely with a range of civic partners, the Center’s
Rashad Robinson will hold roundtable discussions to connect fair
election methods to debates about redistricting, voting rights,
runoffs and campaign finance. Careful follow-up promises to lead
to reform opportunities.
- Innovative
Election Systems in Illinois: We have a grant to
pursue excellent opportunities to introduce cumulative voting and
instant runoff voting to civic leaders and policy-makers in my
home state. In the wake of a new law allowing counties to adopt
cumulative voting, the Center’s Dan Johnson-Weinberger will reach
out to leaders across the state to consider their new power. In
the midst of hotly contested primaries with many candidates
seeking to fill an open U.S. Senate seat, we will highlight how
ranked-choice polls help voters understand big-candidate fields
and will show how IRV would provide fairer
results.
I mention
grants obtained for these projects because our team is doing a great
job at finding funds for our goals – both from foundations and a new
election services division where we help organizations and
businesses run elections. But the impact of the stock market
downturn will be felt for years. Even as we reached an all-time high
in individual giving this year, we won’t come close to matching the
foundation support received earlier in the decade. It is
individuals like you that keep
our movement strong. Thanks so much for your
support, and my best wishes for the holidays and the New Year.
Sincerely
yours, John
B.
Anderson
Chairman
P.S. I encourage a
visit to www.fairvote.org, where we regularly update CVD projects
and news. There also is information on how Working
Assets customers have until Dec. 31 to vote for us and
help boost income in 2004. Again, thank you for
your support.
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