Electoral Reform Working Group
Please direct any questions or comments to the Co-coordinators.
2009-2010 Work Plan and FY 2009 Budget
February 5, 2009
The Electoral Reform Working Group's (ERWG) work plan is a list of projects and budgets for the next two years 2009 - 2010. The projects ERWG intends to actively pursue are Instant Runoff Voting and Ranked Choice Voting education and outreach and revising the GPCA's Elections Code. We have included a series of five other projects on our 'wish list' which we would like to work on and may pursue as time, volunteers, and potentially funding permit. To that end we may return to the Coordinating Committee with additional funding requests to enable the ERWG to allow some of these wish list items to be supported.
I. Instant Runoff Voting and Ranked Choice Voting
IRV and Ranked Choice Voting lay at the heart of GPCA's vision for a viable third party movement and advancement towards grassroots. In the past few years, electoral victories in San Francisco, Oakland, Davis, and other cities have shown that voters overwhelmingly support adopting ranked choice voting for their municipalities. This demonstrates that increased efforts in local jurisdictions can provide the opportunity for success. ERWG will plan, research, and compile an information packet that will assist individual counties to start ranked choice voting implementation efforts within their local electoral jurisdiction. This is an area where Greens should, and need to be, leading the way or building bridges to other organizations seeking to accomplish the same goals. Our budget request is primarily to support production of the information package after it is ready for release. We intend to use the GPCA Clearinghouse to assist with distribution.
The ERWG's long term goal is to have ranked choice voting implemented in all CA electoral jurisdictions. This will require continued coalition work; travel to meetings throughout the state; providing documentation; communication by phone; and campaign contributions. The goal of this project is to develop the information packet and use it as a tool to work towards the long term goal.
Copies $200
Media (CD, binders, etc.) $100
Postage $25
Total $325
II. Elections Code
The election code for GPCA has been approved by the General Assembly. The next step continues to be to find a CA Legislator or alternative process such that our proposed bill will be sponsored through the legislature to have it added to CA law. Individual legislators have been approached, so far unsuccessfully. Suggestions continue to be made as to which legislators might be willing to sponsor this bill. Ongoing efforts will be to continue to pursue the support of a legislator through whatever avenue, personal visits, meetings/discussions with staff, etc. Our request 2009 budget is intended to provide for some modest amount of travel and phone contact, as well as professional quality copying of material to be used in presenting our bill to a friendly legislator.
The ERWG's goal is to get GPCA's election code into state law. This may require some travel to work with state legislature to provide documentation; communication in person and by phone.
Travel/Phone/Copies $250
Total $250
Wish List Projects
III. Internal Voting Processes and Procedures
The GPCA uses ranked choice voting for its internal elections. However, there is not a currently approved universal voting process, trained personnel to implement it, or adequate documentation to consistently administer elections and maintain party records. ERWG considers this as one of its responsibilities to the Party.
The goal is to develop a ranked choice voting process and procedure to be approved by the General Assembly for inclusion in the GPCA Procedures. Tasks require internal committee work, General Assembly presentations and coordination.
IV. Redistricting State Legislative Seats - Prop 11
We propose that the ERWG tracks developments related to the implementation of Prop 11. This would include following announcements, possibly attending meetings, stating and / or representing the opinion of the GPCA in possible ways Prop 11 will be implemented, and if possible seeking to have Green Party representation in the process.
The goal would be to monitor this process and a try to participate in it as well as to work in coalition with other like minded organizations. This requires continued coalition work; potential travel to meetings throughout the state; providing documentation; and communication by phone.
V. Public Finance
It is the ERWG understanding that based on recent election law changes in 2010 the Secretary of State Officers election will be conducted with a demonstration public financing effort. As this is a critical concern of the Green Party, ERWG believes that following this effort and supporting it would be an important project to perform. We think it is important to attempt to have Green Party representation in any discussions that may be occurring throughout the state on this very important topic and would work to 1) follow this effort for 2010 and, 2) look for a way to participate.
The goal would be to first monitor this potentially unfolding process and then work to be part of the process. This requires continued coalition work; potential travel to meetings statewide and to the state capitol; providing documentation; and communication by phone.
VI. Voting Technology
ERWG recognizes that a great diversity of opinions exist as to what particular voting technologies offer the greatest potential for assuring that fair, honest, and transparent elections occur. To that end, ERWG proposes to draw on internal party resources and through contacts with other outside similar interest groups, to try to explain in concise and easily understood terms what the various alternatives are. We would anticipate having printed material and sponsoring presentations at plenaries to reach clarity and consensus on this issue.
The goal is to provide accurate, transparent, verifiable methodology for all elections in CA. Requires continued coalition work; potential travel to meetings throughout the state; preparation of presentations and documents; and communication by phone.
VII. Procedures for Selecting Delegates to GPUS Presidential Nominating Conventions
ERWG proposes to work jointly with the California GPUS Delegation to review, revise as necessary, and help implement procedures for selecting delegates to the 2012 GPUS Presidential Nominating Convention. The timing of this and level of effort as well as the need for any funds is unknown at this time.
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