Bipartisan Support for Congressional Representation for D.C.

DC VRA Passes House Committee on Government Reform 29-4

The DC Fair and Equal House Voting Rights Act of 2006 (H.R. 5388), sponsered by Republicans Tom Davis and Christopher Shays and Democrats Eleanor Holmes Norton and Henry Waxman, highlights the potential of broader statutory reforms like proportional voting. By increasing House size to 437 members, it would give Utah an additional seat that would be elected statewide in 2008 and 2010 by exempting Utah from the 1967 law mandating one-seat House districts. The bill would also increase the size of the Electoral College to 539 electors, greatly reducing the chance of a tie.

On May 18th, H.R. 5388 passed the House Committee on Government Reform by a vote of 29-4. It now moves to the House Judiciary Committee.

[ More about the DC VRA ]
[ More about DC Voting Rights ]
[ The case for a constitutional right to vote ]
[ More about changes to House size ]
[ Jack Kemp Op-Ed in Townhall.com ]

Vermont State House and Senate Pass IRV Study Bill

Implementation of instant runoff voting one step closer in Vermont

On Wednesday, May 10, the Vermont State House voted in favor of a bill to study implementation of instant runoff voting (IRV) on the statewide level by 2008. The State Senate passed the measure on April 28.

The bill, backed by both the Senate Majority Leader and Speaker of the House, directs the Secretary of State to draw up the procedures for implementing IRV for statewide elections, including for members of Congress.

IRV has support from all elements of Vermont's civic community, including the League of Women Voters, Vermont PRG, Common Cause, the Grange, and Secretary of State Deb Markowitz.

[ FairVote Press Release ]
[ More on IRV in Vermont ]
[ Commentary by a VT Democratic candidate for governor ]