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Independent Voter Project Conference: Skills Gap, Outdated Regulations Threaten California's Tech Dominance
Independent Voter Project Conference: Skills Gap, Outdated Regulations Threaten California's Tech Dominance
In a state of over 38 million people, Californians – as well as the rest of the U.S. – have come to rely inextricably upon the capabilities of modern telecommunications technologies. Whether it’s your smartphone accessing the cloud to download the latest cat video, taking an online class in a virtual classroom, or launching another tech startup, the tech industry lends itself to almost every aspect of daily life. Likewise, in California alone, the information and communication technologies indu
18 Nov, 2015
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3 min read
Can Non-Residents Vote in Local Elections Where They Own Property?
Can Non-Residents Vote in Local Elections Where They Own Property?
For nearly two hundred years, voting has predominantly been tied to fixed residency: citizens are entitled to vote in the districts in which they live. While seemingly a fair and direct application of the principle, "one person, one vote," property owners are beginning to assert that their ownership of property in voting districts outside the one in which they live justifies extending them the right to vote in these districts as well. So, does the right to vote – and should the right to vote –
09 Nov, 2015
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7 min read
Beyond the Echo Chamber: A Roundup of Nonpartisan Election News -- October 20, 2015
Beyond the Echo Chamber: A Roundup of Nonpartisan Election News -- October 20, 2015
The latest headlines on nonpartisan voting rights from across the nation. Enjoy. Who Controls Primary Elections, And Who Gets To Vote? Source: Jonathan Stahl, Constitution Daily My Take: A good piece on its surface, but even better if you get into the weeds of the various links and additional stories/information on our primary systems. Group Tries To Replicate Nonpartisan Nebraska Elections In Arizona Source: Mark Brodie, KJZZ 91.5 My Take: Relax your eyes and let your ears takeover for
20 Oct, 2015
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2 min read
Beyond the Echo Chamber: A Roundup of Nonpartisan Election News -- October 7, 2015
Beyond the Echo Chamber: A Roundup of Nonpartisan Election News -- October 7, 2015
The latest headlines on nonpartisan voting rights from across the nation. Enjoy. Young, Independent Voters Denied Full Access to Elections in Pa. Source: John Finnerty, The Herald My Take: From a state calling out more and more for an open primary, a bit of in-depth reporting about the effect on young voters who are more than likely to register as independents. Insight Kansas: More Voters, Better Representation Source: Burdett Loomis, Hays Post Loomis, a political science professor at th
07 Oct, 2015
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2 min read
Right-to-Die Bill for Terminally Ill Patients Crosses Biggest Hurdle in Calif.
Right-to-Die Bill for Terminally Ill Patients Crosses Biggest Hurdle in Calif.
The California State Assembly approved legislation Wednesday that would allow terminally ill patients to legally end their lives. Lawmakers voted 42-33 after listening to various emotional, religious, or first-hand experience debates about whether or not California would be the next state to allow doctors to prescribe life-ending medication to terminally ill patients. Assemblywoman Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) introduced the latest version of the bill during the special legislative sessi
10 Sep, 2015
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2 min read
2 Ways California Could Expand Voter Choice in Elections
2 Ways California Could Expand Voter Choice in Elections
California's existing election system for Congress and state office could be improved with the following ideas. The problem with the status quo is that ever since it went into effect in 2011, there has been very limited choice on the November ballot. So far, no independent or minor party candidate has appeared on the November ballot for statewide office. Each statewide office in November has been between one Democrat and one Republican, with no write-in space. In November 2014, California vote
31 Jul, 2015
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4 min read
California Asm. Cheryl Brown: Nonpartisan Primaries Break Partisan Gridlock
California Asm. Cheryl Brown: Nonpartisan Primaries Break Partisan Gridlock
CALIFORNIA -- In an interview for IVN, Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown of California's 47th district explained that the nonpartisan, top-two open primary system "requires candidates to build broad local coalitions." Brown is among the confirmed panelists who will speak at a series of discussions on voting rights, nonpartisan primaries, and the future of elections, hosted by the Independent Voter Project and California Forward on August 19 in Sacramento. Assemblywoman Brown was first elected to the C
29 Jul, 2015
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2 min read
Senate Committee OKs Basic Banking Services for Billion-Dollar Marijuana Industry
Senate Committee OKs Basic Banking Services for Billion-Dollar Marijuana Industry
The Senate Appropriations Committee took a 16-14 vote Thursday to approve a measure that would make it easier for marijuana businesses to obtain basic banking services with financial institutions. The amendment, proposed for the Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act of 2015, was authored by U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.). The amendment would prevent federal funds from being used to prohibit or penalize financial institutions that provide services to marijuan
28 Jul, 2015
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2 min read
Focus on What Makes America Work; While Eliminating the Vestiges of Hatred
Focus on What Makes America Work; While Eliminating the Vestiges of Hatred
In 1636, my 11th-great-grandfather, the Rev. Thomas Hooker, founded the colony of Connecticut and contributed greatly to the ideas of constitutional government and universal Christian suffrage in colonial America. Among his brilliant contributions was the -- at that time -- novel idea that the foundation of authority came from the free consent of the governed --an idea that stuck throughout American colonial history. One year later, in 1637, his government carried out the first colonial war ag
24 Jun, 2015
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3 min read
#StandWithRand: POTUS Candidate Filibusters to End NSA Spying
#StandWithRand: POTUS Candidate Filibusters to End NSA Spying
Kentucky U.S. Senator Rand Paul announced on his Facebook page and Twitter account that he has taken the Senate floor to begin his filibuster of renewing the PATRIOT Act, specifically provisions in Section 215 that are set to expire at the end of the month. Check out the live footage of Paul's filibuster here. https://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/601079082676318208 1:15 pm ET - Rand Paul takes the floor by saying, "There comes a time in the history of nations when fear and complacency allow pow
20 May, 2015
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4 min read