Political Reform Program: Recent and Upcoming Events

CA EVENT: Southern California Constitutional Convention Town Hall

Elizabeth Wu — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:23:00 -0400

A New America Event
07/18/2009 - 8:30am

The Southern California Constitutional Convention Town Hall focused on introducing and educating the community to the concept and gathering feedback from the public. Featuring panels of elected officials, issues experts, and community leaders, this event was Southern Californian residents’ first major opportunity to learn and ask questions about this powerful method to reform the state, and give input into a process that could profoundly affect California for generations to come.

CA EVENT: A Constitutional Convention for California? (Santa Monica)

Elizabeth Wu — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:12:00 -0400

A New America Event
07/17/2009 - 6:15pm

Citizens, community groups, and experts from across the state came together to discuss a California constitutional convention. How might it come about? How could it help our cities, schools, budget and government? Video is available below.

The Future of the Voting Rights Act

Cecille Isidro — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:30:00 -0400

A New America Event
06/30/2009 - 8:30am

Sponsored by the New America Foundation and FairVote.

On June 22, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its much-anticipated voting rights ruling in the NAMUDNO case (Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District v. Holder). Many long-time experts are sifting through the decision to understand the broad implications for the future of voting rights protections and minority representation in the United States.

CA EVENT: California v 2.0

Elizabeth Wu — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
06/22/2009 - 12:00pm

Faced with a deepening budget crisis and a paralyzed political system, a growing number of Californians have concluded that their government needs a complete overhaul. Join us to meet the leaders of the reform movement, to explore different paths to fundamental change, and to discuss some ideas for creating “California v 2.0,” an upgraded political system that meets the challenges of the 21st century.

CA EVENT: Instant Runoff Voting (San Jose)

Elizabeth Wu — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:15:00 -0400

A New America Event
06/11/2009 - 12:00pm

On June 11th, 2009, San Joses city leaders joined election experts for a discussion on instant runoff voting. Currently, in order to be elected to office in San Jose, a candidate must secure a majority of the votes cast. Sounds simple enough, but if no candidate receives a majority in the initial election, then a runoff election is held in which the top candidates must compete again. This process is lengthy, results in low voter turnout, and can cost $500,000… more

CA Event: Instant Runoff Voting in Los Angeles

Communications — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
06/02/2008 - 12:00pm

On Monday, June 2nd, the New America Foundation's Political Reform Program held an engaging panel discussion and luncheon on instant runoff voting (IRV) in Los Angeles.

CA Event: Instant Runoff Voting and Minorities in L.A.

Communications — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
04/19/2008 - 10:00am

Currently, Los Angeles' local elections run on a wasteful, two-round election system. Last May, only 6 percent of voters turned out for the runoff election for the Los Angeles Community College Districts -- an election that cost taxpayers $5 million, or $40 per voter. For this reason, the LA City Council is seriously considering Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) for local elections. By combining the general and runoff election into 1 single election, IRV will save millions… more

California Event: Repairing California Democracy

Communications — Tue, 22 May 2007 11:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
05/22/2007 - 12:00pm

There is a widening breach between most of the 35 million people residing in California and the fewer than 9 million who actually vote. Seven million Californians are eligible to vote but for one reason or another don’t bother. A small group of frequent voters, who are richer, whiter, older and hold different opinions on education, social spending, Prop.13, and more compared to their nonvoting neighbors -- form the majority that decides which candidates win and which ballot measures pass.… more

California Event: Alternative Voting Systems

Communications — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 04:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
04/26/2007 - 7:00pm

The Alternative Voting Systems forum will look at a range of voting system methods, including the current numbered seat system used by Pasadena Unified School District as well as the geographic districts used by Pasadena City Council. Speakers will present information about alternatives such as instant runoff voting and choice voting, systems which allow voters to rank their candidates in order of preference (1,2,3). Attendees are encouraged to fill out and bring a copy of The Pasadena Weekly's more

Deliberative Democracy in California

Communications — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 12:00:00 -0500

A New America Event
02/23/2007 - 12:00pm

The conference, which was co-sponsored by the New America Foundation and CommonSense California, explored the emerging field of deliberative democracy, which uses tools such as citizen dialogues, deliberative polling and citizen's assemblies to engage regular citizens in policy issues. Deliberative democracy methods seek to break through partisan gridlock, overcome special interest domination, and rekindle a sense of civic ownership in the conduct of government.

The conference brought together leading policy makers and opinion leaders, provided a space to meet with… more

Ten Big Ideas for a New America

Communications — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 02:00:00 -0500

A New America Event
01/31/2007 - 11:00am

The recent turnover in Congress, combined with a wide open presidential election cycle, creates a rare opportunity to bring new ideas into the political process. The spirit of this new era will be captured by those -- from either party or no party -- who embrace innovative yet pragmatic solutions to the foremost challenges facing our nation.

At this event, the New America Foundation released a major new report outlining Ten Big Ideas for a New America, and… more

10 Steps to Repair American Democracy

Communications — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 05:15:00 -0400

A New America Event
06/22/2006 - 12:00pm

In his new book, 10 Steps to Repair American Democracy, author Steven Hill says that American democracy has been working about as well as the levees around New Orleans. Hill, who is director of the New America Foundation's Political Reform program, establishes that American democracy is rooted in outdated methods and practices, from voting equipment to the way we elect the President and Congress. He outlines ways for overhauling and reinvigorating our political system and presents a comprehensive vision… more

Reconnecting Californians to Their Government (Sacramento)

Communications — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 18:00:00 -0500

A New America Event
01/26/2006 - 12:00pm

This event is co-sponsored with the California Research Bureau.

Voters want change, despite the failure of last November's reform ballot measures. Political analysts have recommended a number of reforms, from redistricting, revised term limits, and open primaries to alternative election systems and the public financing of campaigns. But how do we change a system when powerful interests defend the status quo?

A model solution lies across the border in Canada. Called a Citizens Assembly, its strength lies in restoring power to… more

Reconnecting Californians to Their Government (San Francisco)

Communications — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 22:00:00 -0500

A New America Event
01/25/2006 - 12:00pm

This event is co-sponsored with The Commonwealth Club of California.

A model solution lies across the border in Canada. Called a Citizens' Assembly, its strength lies in restoring… more

Reconnecting Californians to Their Government (Los Angeles)

Communications — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 22:00:00 -0500

A New America Event
01/24/2006 - 12:00pm

This event is co-sponsored with University of Southern California Bedrosian Center on Governance

A model solution lies across the border in Canada. Called a Citizens Assembly, its strength lies… more

Does British Columbia's Citizens Assembly Offer a Magic Key to Realizing Your Own Democratic Reform Agenda?

Communications — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 12:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
09/16/2005 - 12:00pm

Elected officials have an intrinsic conflict of interest when considering reforms that might reduce their chances of re-election. One proposed solution to this dilemma is to take democratic reform out of the hands of elected officials and put it in the hands of a randomly selected body of citizens. The premier of British Columbia recently implemented such a reform. With the legislature's blessing, he created a "Citizens Assembly" of 160 randomly selected individuals ("The Citizens Assembly on… more

Can the U.S. Take Lessons from a Canadian Experiment in Democracy?

Communications — Tue, 07 Jun 2005 12:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
06/07/2005 - 12:00pm

Last month a majority of British Columbia voters approved replacing winner-take-all elections with a proportional voting system. This policy outcome was not unprecedented, but the method used to select it was. The final recommendations were derived from the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform, a group of 160 randomly selected individuals from British Columbia. This group met for one year and produced the electoral reform package that was placed on the ballot.

In the last chapter of his new book,… more

The Future of California's Democracy

Communications — Thu, 24 Feb 2005 15:00:00 -0500

A New America Event
02/24/2005 - 12:02pm

The half-day conference highlighted arguments and expert analysis surrounding recent proposals for redistricting and other electoral reforms. Distinguished panelists --including Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Assembly Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy -- previewed the upcoming public debate and discussed the performance and priorities of the California Legislature.

The Real State of the State

Communications — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 14:00:00 -0500

A New America Event
01/19/2005 - 12:00pm

California is struggling to cope with a wide array of serious policy challenges: Job creation, education, health care costs, a budgetary crisis, political leadership, immigration and regional inequities. An opportunity exists to tackle these issues head on, but partisanship and parochialism threaten to stifle real progress.

The New America Foundation's California Program delivered its analysis of the "State of the State" in Los Angeles on Jan. 19, 2005. Panelists provided a wide range of innovative proposals to address the most… more