By Krist Novoselic
Published March 4th 2004 in Aberdeed Daily World
Over the next few weeks, lawmakers will attempt to patch the hole caused by the death of the Blanket Primary. There are proposals to make our democracy function like that of Arizona, Montana or Louisiana.
This virtual road show of replacement primary plans will not stop citizens
steering away from our democracy. Here in our state, 1/3rd of all
legislative races were uncontested in 2002. Polls show a majority of
Washingtonians feeling disconnected from Olympia. Cynicism toward our democracy is rampant nationwide. Emulating Arizona, Montana or Louisiana will not restore faith and vitality to our elections.
Why are we looking to states that have the same low turnout as we do? We need to bring the spirit of participation to the unrepresented, the apathetic, and the disenfranchised. We need to provide a plan where democratic competition thrives.
Instead of viewing the replacement of our primary system as a dreadful chore, we should see it as an opportunity to increase voter participation.
Let's consider learning more from functioning democracies that regularly
enjoy turnouts of 85% or more.
The best way to move toward such high participation is with a Washington state version of Full Representation along the lines of systems used in Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland. If a political party - or a like-minded group of independent-minded voters - earns 51% of votes, it should earn 51% of seats. If it earns 10% of votes, it should earn 10% of seats.
I propose every seat in the State House be competitive. We can make every Democrat and Republican voter in Washington hold the real value of being an actual constituent. Let's make sure our major parties are truly
accountable by opening up our elections to third parties and create real opportunities for new ones. Instead of reducing voter turnout and discouraging moderates from running for office, we need to make everyone feel more connected to their government.
For our state Senate and executive positions, let's use ballots like in
Australia and Ireland where voters rank candidates in order of preference. Candidates earn victory by obtaining true majority support while still allowing the full range of voter choice provided by the blanket primary.
My plan is modest. I am not advocating we change our government to a
parliamentary system. I only propose changing our system of elections.
It is certain our electoral system is going to change here in our state.
Olympia is on the road to more business as usual. Lawmakers political
survival instincts make the path to real reform difficult.
I've considered running for office to help change the culture in Olympia,
but we don't have to be elected leaders to be agents of reform.
Regardless of wherever the legislature takes us over the next couple of
weeks, we must work toward moving our state forward. As our neighbors in British Columbia are doing right now, we should convene a citizen's commission to consider a full range of options for a voting system to find what best meets our needs and values.
A populist movement gave us inclusive democratic reforms like women's
suffrage and our late blanket primary. We can revive that spirit - if we
want it. Washington needs to make its own way. Let's build a democracy where other states copy us.
This virtual road show of replacement primary plans will not stop citizens
steering away from our democracy. Here in our state, 1/3rd of all
legislative races were uncontested in 2002. Polls show a majority of
Washingtonians feeling disconnected from Olympia. Cynicism toward our democracy is rampant nationwide. Emulating Arizona, Montana or Louisiana will not restore faith and vitality to our elections.
Why are we looking to states that have the same low turnout as we do? We need to bring the spirit of participation to the unrepresented, the apathetic, and the disenfranchised. We need to provide a plan where democratic competition thrives.
Instead of viewing the replacement of our primary system as a dreadful chore, we should see it as an opportunity to increase voter participation.
Let's consider learning more from functioning democracies that regularly
enjoy turnouts of 85% or more.
The best way to move toward such high participation is with a Washington state version of Full Representation along the lines of systems used in Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland. If a political party - or a like-minded group of independent-minded voters - earns 51% of votes, it should earn 51% of seats. If it earns 10% of votes, it should earn 10% of seats.
I propose every seat in the State House be competitive. We can make every Democrat and Republican voter in Washington hold the real value of being an actual constituent. Let's make sure our major parties are truly
accountable by opening up our elections to third parties and create real opportunities for new ones. Instead of reducing voter turnout and discouraging moderates from running for office, we need to make everyone feel more connected to their government.
For our state Senate and executive positions, let's use ballots like in
Australia and Ireland where voters rank candidates in order of preference. Candidates earn victory by obtaining true majority support while still allowing the full range of voter choice provided by the blanket primary.
My plan is modest. I am not advocating we change our government to a
parliamentary system. I only propose changing our system of elections.
It is certain our electoral system is going to change here in our state.
Olympia is on the road to more business as usual. Lawmakers political
survival instincts make the path to real reform difficult.
I've considered running for office to help change the culture in Olympia,
but we don't have to be elected leaders to be agents of reform.
Regardless of wherever the legislature takes us over the next couple of
weeks, we must work toward moving our state forward. As our neighbors in British Columbia are doing right now, we should convene a citizen's commission to consider a full range of options for a voting system to find what best meets our needs and values.
A populist movement gave us inclusive democratic reforms like women's
suffrage and our late blanket primary. We can revive that spirit - if we
want it. Washington needs to make its own way. Let's build a democracy where other states copy us.
Election Day '09 was a roller-coaster for election reformers. Instant runoff voting had a great night in Minnesota, where St. Paul voters chose to implement IRV for its city elections, and Minneapolis voters used IRV for the first time—with local media touting it as a big success. As the Star-Tribune noted in endorsing IRV for St. Paul, Tuesday’s elections give the Twin Cities a chance to show the whole state of Minnesota the benefits of adopting IRV. There were disappointments in Lowell and Pierce County too, but high-profile multi-candidate races in New Jersey and New York keep policymakers focused on ways to reform elections; the Baltimore Sun and Miami Herald were among many newspapers publishing commentary from FairVote board member and former presidential candidate John Anderson on how IRV can mitigate the problems of plurality elections.