Former
United States presidential candidate John B. Anderson, who received 6
million votes as an independent candidate in 1980, served as chair
of FairVote from 1996 until 2008 after four years as chair of its Advisory Board.
John’s recent media appearances include the BBC, NPR and C-SPAN among
others. He is a frequent lecturer and expert commentator on issues of
electoral reform, United Nations reform, foreign affairs, American
politics, and independent candidacies. He also writes regularly on the
role of Congress in both domestic and international affairs. For years
he was president of the World Federalist Association.
Mr. Anderson teaches constitutional law at Nova Southeastern
University. He has taught political science as a visiting professor at
numerous universities, including Bryn Mawr College, Brandeis
University, Stanford University, Oregon State University, the
University of Illinois and the Washington School of Law.
Between 1961 and 1981, Mr. Anderson served ten terms in the U.S. House
of Representatives from the 16th District of Illinois. He served on the
House Rules Committee and for a decade was Chairman of the House
Republican Conference. He served as States Attorney in Winnebago
County, Illinois for four years.
During World War II, Mr. Anderson was a staff sergeant in the U.S.
Field Artillery. In foreign service between 1952 and 1955, he was
Economic Reporting Officer in the Eastern Affairs Division.
Mr. Anderson earned his B.A. and J.D. from the University of Illinois,
Urbana-Champaign, received an LL.M. degree from Harvard Law School in
1949, and has since been awarded honorary doctorates of law from
Wheaton College and Trinity College.
[John Anderson's FairVote Bio on YouTube]
[ Read more on John Anderson in the Harvard Law Bulletin ]
[Watch a video tribute to John Anderson]Presidential elections all but ignore Illinois
Chicago Tribune
FairVote Chair John Anderson on the harmful impact of the Electoral College.December 25th 2005
Our two-party system is ripe for change
Miami Herald (and other publications)
Former Congressman, independent Presidential contender and current FairVote Board Chair John Anderson on the party duopoly, limited voter choice, partisan bickering and winner-take-all elections.December 9th 2005
More Choice in Elections
The New York Times
FairVote Chairman, John Anderson, praises Connecticut's step forward on public financing of elections but criticizes provisions that restrict third parties and independents, while calling for instant runoff voting and proportional voting.May 29th 2005
Legislature needs to act on instant runoff voting
The Rutland Herald
John Anderson: Vermont's strong tradition of political independence means it's ready for IRV.April 10th 2005
National Guidelines Needed to Ensure Fair House Districts
San Jose Mercury News
FairVote's Rob Richie and John Anderson call for national redistricting standards to prevent the looming state-by-state[ Previous ] [ Next ]