Beyond the Echo Chamber: A Roundup of Nonpartisan Election News -- November 10, 2015
The latest headlines on nonpartisan voting rights from across the nation. Enjoy.
What Impact Could An Independent Run By Jim Webb Have on 2016?
Source: Austin Plier, FairVote
My Take: An interesting piece exploring angles not often explored, including a role in the electoral vote outcome of a number of swing states--especially his native Virginia.
Unheard Voices: Why Aren’t More Californians Voting?
Source: Caitlin Maple, PublicCEO
My Take: While the article touches on the fact that large segments of the population are underrepresented at the polls and there is a seemingly endless discussion about this, one does wonder what is really being done to deal with it.
Top-Two Primaries, Third Parties, and the Rights of Individual Voters
Source: Chad Peace, San Diego City Beat
My Take: A good discussion of the institutional barriers placed on voter rights by the political parties--without an argument for less party involvement.
Nonpartisan Primaries Put Power In The Hands Of The People
Source: Tiani X.Coleman, The Monitor (Concord, NH)
My Take: With 43% of New Hampshire voters having no party affiliation, the author, tired of the partisan fighting, is calling out for her state to join a growing movement.
What If The Parties Didn’t Run Primaries?
Source: Russell Berman, The Atlantic
My Take: An extensive look not only at Nebraska, which has a top-two primary for state legislative races, but the nationwide movement toward such reform, including in Congress.
How About A Debate Between Ds And Rs on Parties’ Beliefs?
Source: Bob Mercer, Black Hills (SD) Pioneer
My Take: It’s a look at voter frustration and how voters really no longer know what the parties actually stand for. From there, the article moves to remedies currently under discussion, including a nonpartisan primary. SOMETHING to make voters pay attention.