7 SIMPLE ELECTION REFORMS FOR A MORE PROGRESSIVE POLITICS
If we want to end the era of political stagnation that is at the root of Congress’ historically low approval rating, if we want to move toward governments at both the federal and local level that truly represent the people and not the corporations that control them, and if we want to add any basis to the claim we often make in this country that we are somehow a model of effective democracy, things need to change.
The path we are on is not sustainable. Admitting as much should be a given. Few people across the political spectrum could convincingly argue that our government today works as it should. Those that try to defend the status quo are the few that are in some ways benefitting from it, and are either oblivious to, or uncaring of the fact that most of us are suffering while they get their way.
In order to move in a new direction, this article proposes seven simple reforms to the way we run our elections. They are not new ideas, and they are not my ideas. They are borrowed from experts who have studied elections in this country and around the world.
Without further ado, they are:
1) Make Election Day a National Holiday
In order for a democracy to function at its peak, everyone must be able to vote. Holding elections on a Tuesday simply makes no sense. Moving it to a weekend would be a step in the right direction, but even then we would leave out many voting-age citizens who work weekends. A national holiday means anyone who wants to vote, can.
2) Make Voting Mandatory
While not popular with the individual freedom crowd, this no-brainer reform would lead to a more representative democracy. It is a sad fact that voter turnout in the United States is far lower than most democratic countries around the world. Mandatory voting would surely change that, as it has in other nations.
3) Eliminate Gerrymandering
The way most states draw up congressional districts is criminal. The party in power has the freedom to carve up their state in a way that specifically benefits their party in the future, and both Democrats and Republicans are guilty of this. By eliminating this process and turning the duties of drawing congressional maps over to a neutral third-party, we add a degree of fairness back into local and national elections.
4) Overturn Citizens United and Create a System of Public Financing
Money is not speech, not when some have so much more of it than others. Candidates today spend an ungodly amount of money on campaigns, money that could be better spent in so many other ways. What public financing of campaigns would do is lower this bill and more evenly distribute the power of “speech”, in the election sense, across all classes.
5) Automatically Register All Citizens at the Age of 16
Eighteen is arbitrary. For that matter so is sixteen and one could effectively argue to go even lower than that. Because the truth is that the laws our governments pass and the policies they pursue impact all of us, not just adults. We want as many people to vote as possible, and automatic voter registration will eliminate an unnecessary burden in the voting process.
6) Get Rid of All Laws that Effectively Strip People of their Right to Vote
In too many places in the United States we give too many people the power to disenfranchise our citizenry. People convicted of crimes who serve their time should absolutely be given the right to vote. No argument to the contrary makes sense, given that these people have already atoned for any wrongdoing in the eyes of the law.
7) Implement Ranked-Choice Voting
The winner-take-all system of voting we use is outdated and should be replaced. The best viable alternative, which is already being tested in some places, is a ranked-choice system, wherein voters ranks all or some of the candidates on the ballot rather than simply checking the box for one or another. This makes it less likely that a fringe candidate could garner enough votes to win, makes it easier for third-parties to establish themselves, and makes each person’s vote more valuable.
All of the above are deserving policies, and there are some honorable organizations pursuing each and every one of them (listed below). The problem is, the loudest voices are the ones that want to keep us from having these important conversations and debates. Policies like this are ignored by most national politicians and mainstream media outlets. And it is we, the people, who suffer for it.
Organizations Fighting for Election Reform:
