Electoral System
Reform In the News 2001
Full representation (also known as
proportional representation, or "PR") and instant runoff voting
(IRV) have received steadily increasing media attention in the last
decade. Following are some of the best articles and commentaries.
Baltimore Sun: (MD) CVD's Eric Olson
discusses Maryland's remapping and how PR could help-"Ugly
redistricting map spotlights system's flaws." December 27,
2001
Rutland
Herald: (VT) Front-page story about efforts
supported by the League of Women Voters and the Vermont Secretary of
State to promote instant runoff voting for statewide
elections-"Runoff election advocated." December 27, 2001
Los
Angeles Daily News: CVD's Dan Johnson-Weinberger
and Evelyn Jerome discuss the L.A. city council's March runoff and
the benefits of instant runoff voting-"Runoff vote can be done
better, faster." December 20, 2001
TomPaine.com: CVD's Director
discusses the new election reform legislation, what it won't do for
democracy, and what instant runoff voting could-"Rescuing Democracy
In America: Why a Loser Gets to Run the Country." December 19,
2001
San Francisco Chronicle: (CA) Story
on the cost of San Francisco's recent runoff election, and the
alternative, instant runoff voting-"Record-low vote came at high
price." December 13, 2001
San Francisco Examiner: (CA)
Discussion of the low voter turnout in the recent runoff and instant
runoff voting as a solution-"Instant runoff system touted." December
13, 2001
San Francisco Examiner: (CA)
Editorial in favor of using instant runoff voting in San Francisco
elections-"Death to runoffs. Long live runoffs!" December 13,
2001
San Francisco Chronicle: (CA) Two
members of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors discuss why San
Franciscans should support instant runoff voting for city
elections-"Vote once and determine the winners instantly." November
21, 2001
The Hill: CVD's Matthew
Cossolotto argues that "America has outgrown the House of
Representatives." November 21, 2001
The
Nation.com: John Nichols discusses the new bills
introduced by Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. and the state of
electoral reform one year later-"One year after Florida debacle:
Jesse Jackson Jr. presses for fundamental election reforms."
November 7,
2001
Wall Street
Journal: Editorial discusses the extent and
effects of partisan redistricting-"The Gerrymander Scandal."
November 7,
2001
Science: CVD staffers Rob Richie and
Terry Bouricius joined with professor emeritus Philip Macklin for a
letter making the case for instant runoff voting over another
positive reform, approval voting. October
2001
Asian Week: Commentary by Phil
Tajitsu Nash suggests instant runoff voting as an electoral
reform worth considering. October 26,
2001.
Washington Post: CVD's Eric Olson and
Professor Jamin Raskin discuss how cumulative voting could benefit
Montgomery County, Maryland-"Empowering Political Minorities."
October 21,
2001
Science: Letter
from Rob Richie, Terry Bouricius, and Philip Macklin in response to
an editorial on Approval Voting versus Instant Runoff Voting.
October 12, 2001
Boston
Review: (MA) CVD executive director Rob Richie
comments on Stephen Ansolabehere's essay on The Search for New
Voting Technology-"Wasted Votes?" September
2001
New York Times: CVD Chair John
Anderson and Executive Director Rob Richie weigh in on voter
participation in New York City and full voting rights. September 21,
2001
St. Petersburg
Times: (FL) Touts instant runoff voting in
a July column and September 17, 2001 editorial
The
Columbian: (WA) Piece on Eugene's upcoming
decision on preference voting-"Eugene, Ore., next to try preference
voting?" Michael Zuzel, September 5,
2001
Cleveland Plain Dealer: (OH) IRV is one way to "Rescue democracy
from apathy," suggests Tom Brazaitis, September 4, 2001
The Gazette: (MD) CVD Deputy
Director Eric Olson comments on Maryland redistricting and urges
readers to "Consider proportional representation system." August 29,
2001
San
Francisco Examiner: (CA) An opinion piece
that lists proportional systems and instant runoffs as reforms
needed to protect women and minority rights "Hard-won voting rights
always in peril." Megan Cornish, August 20, 2001
Roll
Call: A piece about the Green party's
increasing role as a "spoiler"-"A Green House? Party Will Back, But
Not Recruit, Candidates in Congressional Races." Rachel Van
Dongen, August 16, 2001
New York
Times: An article that mentions and illustrates
the need for instant runoffs-"Green Party Candidate Finds He's a
Republican Pawn." August 8, 2001
The
Journal-Register: (IL) Dan Johnson-Weinberger
responds to an editorial critical of a return to cumulative
voting-"Cumulative voting helps give voice to all." August 8, 2001
Knight Ridder Wire: John
B. Anderson's response to the National Commission on Federal
Election Reform's recommendations-"Look to the States for Real
Reform." August 7, 2001
Peoria
Journal-Star: (IL) Two former state legislators
come out in support of cumulative voting-"Bring cumulative voting
back to Illinois." August 5, 2001
Ottawa
Times: (IL) Various state legislators
comment on cumulative voting-"Plan Splits Area Legislators:
cumulative voting dropped in 1980." August 5, 2001
Billings Gazette:
(MT) A piece about Green Party efforts to put an instant runoff
initiative on the ballot in Montana-"Instant runoff initiative
proposed." August 1, 2001
Statesman Journal: (OR)
Blair Bobier briefly outlines the problems with race-based
districts, and how cumulative voting could solve them-"Legislature
lacks fair representation." July 30,
2001
Chicago Sun-Times: An
op-ed by IL state treasurer Judy Baar Topinka in favor of the return
to cumulative voting-"Old System Better for Minorities." July 30,
2001
Amarillo
Globe-News: (TX) Two opinion pieces sound
off on cumulative voting-"Point-Counterpoint: Should a
cumulative voting system be adopted for city elections?"
-"To The Right: At-large elections work just
fine."
Virbil Van Camp -"To the Left:
Proportional voting would help more." William H.
Seewald, July 27, 2001
Capital
Times: (WI) Article about the recent decision to
place an Instant Runoff Voting iniative on the ballot in San
Francisco in 2002. "Signs of voting reform encouraging." July
19, 2001
Tacoma News
Tribune: (WA) Article discussing the
benefits of proportional systems for the US-"Proportional
representation gives everyone a reason to get out and vote." July 18, 2001
Christian Science
Monitor: An informative article about the
recent MIT-Cal. Tech study that determined that millions of votes
were not counted in the 2000 presidential election. Features
comments from CVD's Rob Richie. "Vote tally in '00 off by millions."
July 16, 2001
Chicago
Sun-Times: (IL) Op-ed in favor of the
revival of cumulative voting-"Let's bring back
old way of voting." Editorial, July 16, 2001
Listen to National Field Director Dan Johnson-Weinberger debate
Pat Quinn on cumulative voting on National Public Radio in
Chicago. Quinn was the author of the 1980 Cutback Amendment
that repealed cumulative voting. Just click on Audio next to "Cumulative
Voting." July 13, 2001.
Daily Texan: Article discussing the potential benefits
of an instant runoff in the presidential race-"Preventing the next
Florida fiasco ." July 12, 2001
Northwest Leader: (IL)
Article highlighting cumulative voting in light of a recent Illinois
public opinion poll on electoral reform-"UIC poll explores voter
participation, election standards." July 11,
2001
Chicago
Sun-Times: (IL) Article in favor of
the revival of cumulative voting in Illinois-" A Commonsense
Plan to Revive Legislature." July 11,
2001
The Daily
Herald: (IL) An article about the
recommendation for a return to cumulative voting that is being
voiced by 'The Illinois Task Force on political Representation and
Alternative Electoral Systems'-"Group wants return to 'cumulative
voting'." July 10, 2001
Chicago
Tribune: (IL) An important article about the
findings of 'The Illinois Task Force on Political Representation and
Alternative Electoral Systems'-"New legislature reform push." July
8, 2001
Springfield
Journal-Register: (IL) An article
explaining the findings of 'The Illinois Task Force on political
Representation and Alternative Electoral Systems'-"A vote for
cumulative voting: Task force backs system used to elect House
members ended by 1980 Cutback Amendment." July 8,
2001
The New London Day: (CT)
Commentary in support of instant runoff voting and explaining how
election cycles of the past might have turned out differently under
a system of instant runoff voting, July 8,
2001
Minneapolis
Star-Tribune: (MN) A Star Tribune editorial
discussing the benefits instant runoffs would have for third parties
in Minnesota-"Instant runoff: A voting method worthy of debate."
July 5, 2001
Monterey County
Herald: (CA) A letter to the
editor in response to an article about how redistricting will
dilute the voice of Salinas, California. Proportional representation
is advised-"Try Changing the County Charter." July 5, 2001
Mobile Register: (AL) An
article about the use of cumulative voting in Chilton county,
Alabama and how it has impacted voters and politicians-"One man, 7
votes?" July 2, 2001
The
Virginian-Pilot: (VA) An op-ed discussing how
cumulative voting could increase minority representation in
Norfolk-"An Alternative for Norfolk City Council Elections." June
21,
2001
Christian Science
Monitor: An editorial stressing the importance
of voter involvement in redistricting and the need for smaller
Congressional districts-"Remuddling the House Needed: smaller
districts and no 'safe seats'." June 19,
2001
Eugene Register-Guard: (OR)
Interesting article advocating instant runoffs in Oregon-"Runoff
voting would save time, money." Matt Donohue and June 13,
2001
The
Oregonian: (OR) Letters to the editor in
response to a negative editorial concerning Instant Runoff Voting,
June 10, 2001
The Galesburg
Zephyr: (IL) An opinion piece by Caroline
Porter about the many benefits of cumulative voting-"The drive to
revive." June 6, 2001
Los Angeles
Times: Commentary suggesting instant runoff
voting as a replacement for runoffs in L.A. city council
elections-"A Remedy for Long Empty City Council Seats." June 1,
2001 Boston Review: (MA) The authors are responded to
by Harvard
law professor Lani Guinier with a focus on proportional
representation. In their final word, the authors express strong
support for Professor Guinier's position -"Faith in
Politics?: Beyond the Civil Rights Industry" Rev. Eugene Rivers and
Professor Eva Thorne April-May 2001
The Oregonian: (OR)
Discussion of the Green Party's initiative for instant
runoffs-"Green initiative would call for instant runoffs: Supporters
say voters could back minor-party candidates without fear of
throwing the election." May 31, 2001
Asian American
Policy Review: Comprehensive article discussing
the benefits alternative voting systems have for Asian
Americans-"New Means for Political Empowerment in the Asian Pacific
American Community." Spring 2001
Roll
Call: Dan Johnson-Weinberger discusses the
increasing popularity for instant runoff voting-"Instant runoff
voting gaining support." May 31,
2001
Raleigh News and
Observer: (NC) Lee Mortimer advocates
limited voting for North Carolina state legislative elections-"Limit
Voting to Increase Democracy." May 30, 2001
London
Times: Letter to the editor by members of the
House of Lords advocating the use of proportional representation
(check CVD website for more
info on election
system reform abroad)- "Reform
'primitive' voting system" May 24, 2001
Roll
Call: Short piece discussing
Rep. Hastings' efforts to gain cosponsors for HR 506 (check the
Center's webpage for HR 506 for more
info)-"The Battle of Hastings." May 24, 2001
New York
Times: Editorial about election reform bills in
the Senate-"Progress on
Election Reform" May 15, 2001
The Oregonian
Online: (OR) Xander Patterson calls on all
parties to institute instant runoffs to eliminate spoilers-"It's
Easy Being Green." May 7, 2001
St. Petersburg
Times: (FL) Two editorials in favor of
keeping runoff primaries in Florida-"Making Sure Votes Count
Series." May 1-3, 2001
Kansas City
Star: (KS)Ardent op-ed about instant runoff
voting-"New voting system allows instant runoff." May 3,
2001
Austin
Chronicle: (TX) Three op-eds defending
instant runoffs - "Balancing the Ballot." April 27,
2001 - "Simpler Than the Candidates Themselves." April 27,
2001 - "Give IRV a Chance." April 27,
2001
South Florida
Sun-Sentinel: (FL) CVD President John
Anderson sends a message to the Florida legislature-"Instant runoff
voting: That's the ticket!" April 26, 2001
Champaign-Urbana
News-Gazette: (IL) An editorial in favor of
the use of cumulative voting in Illinois-"State House change
deserves a look." April 26, 2001
Atlanta Journal
Constitution: A review of new state legislation
requring new voting machines-"
Governor signs bill for Georgia to use touch-screen voting."
April 19,
2001
Eugene
Register-Guard: (OR) Oregon
city moves toward using instant runoff voting for local
elections-"Council Likes Instant Runoff Idea." April 19,
2001
Boston Globe:
(MA) Strong commentary about adopting instant runof voting-"A
Florida 'runoff benefit'?" April 15, 2001
Knight-Ridder
Wire: Rob Richie and Steven Hill reveal the
complications technology brings to the redistricting process-"New
computer technology makes redistricting more controversial than
ever." April 6, 2001
Christian Science Monitor:
Rob Richie and Steven Hill discuss the consequences of the
election problems in FL-"Political Reform: Alive and Ready to Kick."
April 6, 2001
The Springfield
News-Gazette: (IL) Informative article
about efforts to revive cumulative voting in IL-"Cumulative voting
tries to stage comeback." Kate Clements, April 1
Austin
Chronicle: (TX) Instant runoff voting is
under serious consideration in Austin, Texas -"Austin Stories." March 30, 2001
Bennington
Banner: (VT) Commentary by Vermont
Secretary of State Deborah Markowtiz about the benefits of instant
runoff voting-"Majority Rule in Vermont's Elections." March 26,
2001
The
American Prospect: Harvard Law Professor Lani
Guinier makes an eloquent call for proportional representation and
other reforms in "What We Must Overcome." -NYU law professor
Burt Neuborne discusses a wide range of reforms, including calls for
serious consideration of instant runoff voting and proportional
voting methods in "Reclaiming Democracy." - Demos president
Miles Rapoport makes a strong argument for instant runoff voting in
"Democracy's Moment." March 12-26, 2001
Australian
Financial Review:
Commentary by Dr. Ben Reilly about the impact of instant runoff
voting on Australian politics, March 14, 2001
Reuters: CVD's Rob
Richie is quoted in "With U.S. Census Done, Redistricting Battle
Begins." March 7, 2001
The American Prospect
On-Line: Steven Hill and Rob Richie discuss
majority minority districts. March 7, 2001
Anchorage
Press: (AK) Commentary on the instant
runoff voting initiative in Alaska-"The Lessor of Three Evils."
March 7, 2001
Charleston Gazette
Post and Courier: Former Congressional Black
Caucus chair advocates the benefits of cumulative voting
-"'Cumulative Voting' Would Enhance Fairness in Charleston County."
March 5, 2001
Bellingham
Herald: (VT) "Instant Runoff Voting for
Washington State." March 5, 2001
Los
Angeles Times: Letter to the editor about
instant runoff voting in CA- March 4, 2001
Tompaine.com: Rob Richie
and Steven Hill advocate reforms for redistricting process-
"Redistricting
Will Be a Lawyer's Dream - and a Voter Nightmare." March 2,
2001
The Progressive
Populist: Letter to the editor about
Democratic and Green parties using instant runoff voting to
eliminate "spoilers." March 1, 2001
The
Colombian: (WA) Article about bills on instant
runoff voting in WA-"Legislature: Overhaul of Voting Calls for
Instant Runoffs." February 28, 2001
Rep. Cynthia
McKinney: Statement about minority voting
rights and Voters Choice Act (which allows districts to use
proportional representation), Feb. 27, 2001
Aberdeen Daily
World: Commentary about the benefits of instant
runoff voting by former Nirvana bassist- "Instant Runoff Voting: A
Serious Solution." Feb. 22, 2001
The Libertarian
Party of CA: Libertarian's endorse instant
runoff voting-"Libertarians champion
alternative voting system to "prevent more Floridas'."
Feb. 21, 2001
Capital News Service:
"Instant Runoff Is Possible Maryland Voting Reform." Feb. 16,
2001
Slate.com: Article about
proportional representation and instant runoff voting and the
Oscars-"Lani Guinier's Oscar Fever." Feb. 6, 2001
USA
Today: Editorial about instant runoff voting-
"Spoiler-free elections ." Feb. 5, 2001
Knight
Ridder: Rob Richie advocates
voting equipment overhaul-"Needed: A Commitment to Democracy."
Feb. 1, 2001
New York Times: Commentary
advocating instant runoff voting and proportional representation-
"Let's Simplify Voting." Jan. 30, 2001
TomPaine.com: Article
about benefits of instant runoff voting and its use in Ireland and
Australia-"Revitalizing the Creaking Edifice of Democracy: Reforms
Largely Missed the United States." Jan. 24, 2001
TomPaine.Com: CVD executive director
Rob Richie writes about reform of the Electoral College in "Meddling
with Reform." CVD president John Anderson makes the case for instant
runoff voting in "A Clear Majority Winner in 2000." Jan 24,
2001
TomPaine.com: Article
about proportional representation and its benefits for US-"The Most
Needed Electoral Reform Wasted Votes Aren't Just for Third Parties."
Douglas Amy, Jan. 24, 2001
Capital Times: About Rep.
McKinney and voting rights reform-"New weight for voting rights."
Jan. 23, 2001
The Charlotte
Observer: (NC) An article advocating the use of
cumulative voting, instant runoff voting, and limited voting
to represent an increasingly diverse electorate-"Can We Keep
Diverse Voice in Our Civic Dialog?" January 11, 2001
St. Petersburg
Times: (FL) Proposes instant runoff voting as
solution to FL's electoral woes-"Editorial: The Future
of Voting." Jan. 10, 2001
Hightower
Lowdown: Major article about
electoral reform with sections advocating instant runoff voting and
proportional representation- "The time is ripe for real electoral
reform. Why not try democracy in America?" January, 2001
Sierra
Magazine: Sierra Club Endorses instant runoff
voting-"No More Spoilers: A better way at the ballot box."
January/February, 2001
The
State: Two op-eds about race-based redistricting
in SC-"A Better Way of Voting." Editorial, Jan. 9 -"Matthews
Wants to Dilute Race-Dominated Districts." Valerie Bauerlein, Jan.
5, 2001
Asian Week: Discusses
proportional representation and instant runoff voting as well as
other electoral reforms-"Emancipation and Enfranchisement." Phil
Tajitsu Nash, Jan. 3, 2001
Baltimore
Sun: (MD) Rob Richie and Steven Hill suggest
instant runoff voting as a way to ensure majority candidates-"Change
Elections to Instant Runoff Voting." Jan. 2, 2001
Washington Post: Suggests
proportional representation and instant runoff voting as well as
other electoral reforms-"Post-Traumatic Suggestions." William
Raspberry, Jan. 1, 2001
The
Progressive: John B. Anderson suggests Electoral
College should be replaced with laws to ensure a clear majority
candidate-"Flunk the Electoral College, Pass Instant Runoffs."
January, 2001
Social
Policy: Rob Richie, Steven Hill, and Caleb
Kleppner discuss the benefits of instant runoff voting and
proportional representation, as well as how it is used
internationally-"Reclaiming Democracy in the 21st Century: Instant
Runoffs, Proportional Representation, and Cumulative Voting." Winter
2000
RockTheVote.Org: Platform
for Electoral Reform, January, 2001
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