Independent Political Reforms
Same Day Voter Registration
Same Day Voter Registration (SDVR) allows citizens to register on the same day of an election, helping to increase participation especially among young voters and people who have moved to a new district. The verification is higher for the applicants than for other registered voters since the applicant must provide ID and prove residency on the spot. Voter turnout in the United States is among the lowest in the world — only 34% of the eligible electorate came to the polls in the 1998 midterm elections. However, Minnesota, one of only six states with SDVR, led the nation in 1998 with 60% voter turnout to elect Governor Jesse Ventura. Nearly 16% of Minnesotans who voted registered on election day.
Term Limits
Term Limits are a powerful tool against Democratic and Republican party incumbency and the most effective tool against special interests. It would limit the terms of Senators and Assembly Members to between 6 and 8 years. It brings an end to life-long career politicians and their special interest friends, and allows for citizen-run legislatures. Term limits are in place in 17 States, and voter support in national surveys has been as high as 70% throughout the 1990s.
Ballot Access
States passed a myriad of laws restricting candidates that are not a Democrat or Republican from gaining access to the ballot. If a minor party candidate cannot get on the ballot, obviously they will not get elected and more importantly the party will never gain name recognition. Reforming access to ballot is crucial for greater political participation of voters and candidates in the United States. Georgia has one of the highest petition requirements in the country, currently requiring in excess of 38,000 valid petition signatures for a statewide office.
Initiative & Referenda
Twenty-three states permit citizens to circumvent their legislatures by circulating a petition (“initiative”) to place a proposed legislation (“referendum”) on the ballot. This provides citizens a tool to reign in the legislature by passing laws that incumbents will not pass on themselves, such as ethics laws, campaign finance restrictions, and all the reforms on this flyer! In Georgia, only the legislature can place a Referendum on the ballot. Additionally, the Speaker of the House is so powerful that practically no bill will pass into law without his approval.
Open and Inclusive Debates
The Commission on Presidential Debates creates rules that exclude minor party candidates from the nationally televised debates. The Commission membership is made up Democrats and Republicans. Debates afford voters an opportunity to learn about the candidates. Yet the Democrats and Republicans block the minor party candidates from ever being heard — a form of political suppression. Over 50 million Americans identify themselves as independent of the major parties. The Commission should include minor party and non-partisan representatives. More importantly, the Presidential debates should include several candidates for the benefit of the voters.