Podcasts about better elections

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Dec. 13, 2024Updates for State Stories We've Been Following in North Carolina, Alaska, and WisconsinWe have updates on stories we've been following, including North Carolina's  Supreme Court race & a power grab by its legislature, ranked choice voting in Alaska, and more charges in Wisconsin for Donald Trump's fake elector scheme advisors.To view the whole script of today's report, please go to our website.Today's LinksArticles & Resources:American Democracy Minute - After losing two recounts in State Supreme Court Race, North Carolina GOP Candidate Is Still Challenging the Eligibility of 60,000 VotersNC Newsline - NC Board of Elections rejects GOP Supreme Court candidate's efforts to throw out thousands of votesCarolina Public Press - Holdout NC House reps get in line with GOP, override vetoAmerican Democracy Minute - Alaska's Ranked Choice Voting and ‘Top 4' Open Primaries Survive Repeal Referendum – By a WhiskerAlaska Public Media - The recount is over. Alaska will keep ranked choice voting.PBS Newshour/AP - Trump lawyers and aide face additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electorsGroups Taking Action Democracy North Carolina, Alaskans for Better Elections, Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington (C.R.E.W.)Register or Check Your Voter Registration:U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your StatePlease follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social and SHARE!  Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.orgWant ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network's Audioport and PRX#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Wisconsin #Alaska #North Carolina

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 25, 2024Alaska's Ranked Choice Voting and ‘Top 4' Open Primaries Survive Repeal Referendum - By a WhiskerWith a razor-thin statewide margin of 664 votes, ranked choice voting and open primaries weathered a repeal challenge in Alaska, one of the few democracy reforms to survive the 2024 Presidential election cycle.  To view the whole script of today's report, please go to our website.Today's LinksArticles & Resources:BallotPedia - Alaska Ballot Measure 2, Repeal Top-Four Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative (2024)Alaska Beacon - Alaska chooses to keep ranked choice voting, Begich defeats Peltola, unofficial results showAlaska Beacon – Alaska Supreme Court upholds ranked choice repeal initiative, now bound for November voteBallotPedia – Ballot Measure Which Established Alaska's Top-Four Ranked-Choice Voting and Campaign Finance Laws Initiative (2020)American Democracy Minute – Fines Upheld for Alaska Pastor Using His Church Organization to Funnel ‘Free Speech' Money to Political Groups Trying Repeal Ranked Choice VotingAlaska Division of Elections – Ranked Choice Voting, ExplainedGroups Taking Action:Alaskans for Better Elections, Represent.Us, Open PrimariesRegister or Check Your Voter Registration:U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your StatePlease follow us on Facebook and SHARE!  Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.orgWant ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network's Audioport and PRX#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Alaska #OpenPrimaries #RankedChoiceVoting

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 21, 2024SCOTUS Turns Down Case Challenging Alaska's Dark Money Disclosure Law. Great News for Voters and a Possibly a Future Case in Maine.A 2020 Alaska ballot initiative took steps to shine a light on dark money campaign funding. The U.S. Supreme Court just turned down a challenge to that law, and it may be good news for an expected case in Maine.Today's LinksArticles & Resources:Alaskans for Better Elections - Greater Transparency in Campaign FinancingBallotPedia - Alaska Ballot Measure 2, Top-Four Ranked-Choice Voting and Campaign Finance Laws Initiative (2020)U.S. Supreme Court - Appeal RequestAlaska Beacon - U.S. Supreme Court may consider Alaska's ‘dark money' disclosure rulesAnchorage Daily News - US Supreme Court rejects challenge to Alaska campaign disclosure rules approved by voters in 2020Associated Press - A voter-approved Maine limit on PAC contributions sets the stage for a legal challengeGroups Taking Action:Alaskans for Better Elections, Maine Citizens to End SuperPACsRegister or Check Your Voter Registration:U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your StatePlease follow us on Facebook and SHARE!  Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.orgWant ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network's Audioport and PRX#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Alaska #Maine #Dark Money #EndCitizensUnited #SCOTUS

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 30, 2024Will Alaska Keep Its Open Primaries and Ranked Choice Voting?  An Upcoming Ballot Initiative, Plagued With Problems, is Critical TestAlaska implemented its Top 4 open primary and ranked choice voting system in 2022, after voters approved Ballot Measure 2 in 2020 in a close vote. A right wing ballot measure to repeal it, marred by questionable practices, was upheld by the Alaska Supreme Court on August 22nd will appear on the  November ballot.To view the whole script of today's report, please go to our website.Today's LinksArticles & Resources:Alaska Beacon - Alaska Supreme Court upholds ranked choice repeal initiative, now bound for November voteBallotPedia - Ballot Measure Which Established Alaska's Top-Four Ranked-Choice Voting and Campaign Finance Laws Initiative (2020)BallotPedia - Ballot Measure To Repeal Alaska's Top-Four Ranked-Choice Voting and Campaign Finance Laws InitiativeAmerican Democracy Minute - Fines Upheld for Alaska Pastor Using His Church Organization to Funnel ‘Free Speech' Money to Political Groups Trying Repeal Ranked Choice VotingAlaska Division of Elections - Ranked Choice Voting, ExplainedGroups Taking Action:Alaskans for Better Elections, Represent.UsCheck Your Voter Registration: U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State USA Vote Foundation – Registration, Eligibility, State Election Office Links Vote.Gov – Register to Vote in Your State Vote.Org – Check Your Registration to Vote Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.orgWant ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network's Audioport and PRX#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #RankedChoiceVoting #OpenPrimaries #AlaskaNews

In this bonus episode we revisit the vast nation-sized state of Alaska, model for election reform in numerous states around the country even as that voting system of an open, unified primary plus instant runoff general election faces a potential 2024 recall ballot measure back in the frontier state.  The Purple Principle has made three previous audio visits to Alaska, arguably our least partisan, most indy-minded state with 60% of voters choosing not to register with either major party. We first revisit our initial Alaska episode from the fall of 2020 to learn how campaign manager, Shea Siegert, was persuaded to take on that challenge by his own family's enthusiasm for non-partisan voting reform. “I was having a conversation with my mother who lives in Boise, Idaho the other day,” Siegert confides. “And she said, every time I look at the news, I think about your ballot measure. And it just makes more and more sense.” Next we hear from independent Alaska House Member Calvin Schrage in the fall of 2022 as the Alaska voting model is put to the test for the first time. That election produced a pragmatic split ticket outcome with reelection of conservative governor Mike DunLeavey, moderate indy-minded US Senator Lisa Murkowski, and the pragmatic centrist House Democrat, Mary Peltola.  Our recent season four discussion with Native Alaskan Mary Peltola completes our trek across three episodes, highlighted by the advice she received some years before upon election to the Alaska state legislature.  “So when I was first elected, I was in my mid-twenties and I imagined, like most people do, that I was going to Juneau to fight, to fight against our enemies and fight for my district,” Peltola tells us. “And when I got there, one of my colleagues told me you have to have 59 best friends if you want to accomplish anything.” Tune in to find out how Rep. Peltola broke bread across the political aisles in this bonus episode with Alaska-related insights from Katherine Gehl, architect of Final Five Voting, Eric Bronner of Veterans for All Voters, as well as Doug Goodman of Nevadans for Better Elections and Lisa Rice of Make All Votes Count DC, both of whom have looked to Alaska as a model for their own reform efforts.  The Purple Principle is a Fluent Knowledge production; original music by Ryan Adair Rooney.

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Download our free guide on 5 ways to take action!Across the country, voters are organizing to protect their right to elect candidates of their choice. In the final episode of Season 3 of Democracy Decoded, host Simone Leeper explores the changing landscape of state and local elections, and some of the initiatives that can help ensure voters can choose candidates who truly represent their interests. This forward-looking episode offers a glimpse into innovative reforms that hold the promise of strengthening democracy.Simone speaks with Susan Soto Palmer, a community advocate and plaintiff that Campaign Legal Center represented in a landmark discrimination case in Yakima County, Washington. Mark Gaber, Senior Director for Redistricting at CLC delves into the problems with at-large districts and how they dilute the voting power of communities of color. Then, the Executive Director of Alaskans for Better Elections, Juli Lucky, explains to Simone how Alaska has enacted ranked choice voting and why states around the country are using this tool to improve democratic elections. Alexandra Copper, Legal Counsel for Litigation at CLC, breaks down how ranked choice voting can ensure that voters' voices are being heard. Additional InformationThe Democracy Group listener surveyDemocracy Decoded PodcastMore shows from The Democracy Group

We want to hear from you! Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete our survey. Your feedback helps understand what you love about Democracy Decoded and how we can make it even better. To show our thanks, you'll be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $50 American Express gift card. We appreciate your time!--------------------------------------Across the country, voters are organizing to protect their right to elect candidates of their choice. In the final episode of Season 3 of Democracy Decoded, host Simone Leeper explores the changing landscape of state and local elections, and some of the initiatives that can help ensure voters can choose candidates who truly represent their interests. This forward-looking episode offers a glimpse into innovative reforms that hold the promise of strengthening democracy.Simone speaks with Susan Soto Palmer, a community advocate and plaintiff that Campaign Legal Center represented in a landmark discrimination case in Yakima County, Washington. Mark Gaber, Senior Director for Redistricting at CLC delves into the problems with at-large districts and how they dilute the voting power of communities of color. Then, the Executive Director of Alaskans for Better Elections, Juli Lucky, explains to Simone how Alaska has enacted ranked choice voting and why states around the country are using this tool to improve democratic elections. Alexandra Copper, Legal Counsel for Litigation at CLC, breaks down how ranked choice voting can ensure that voters' voices are being heard. 

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Sept. 19, 2023Penalties Recommended for Church Organization and Pastor for Alleged Illegal and Unreported Contributions Supporting Anti-Ranked Choice Voting EffortWe're updating a story we've been following in Alaska, where fines have been recommended for a church, an associated church organization, and a pastor accused of making alleged illegal and unreported political contributions supporting an effort to repeal Ranked Choice Voting.Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content.  To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.Today's LinksArticles & Resources:Alaska Public Offices Commission - Staff Report for Alaskans for Better Elections v. Alaskans for HonestElections, Alaskans for Honest Government, Wellspring Ministries, Wellspring Fellowship,Ranked Choice Education Association, Art Mathias and Phillip Izon.Alaska Public Media - APOC staff recommends fines for opponents of Alaska's ranked choice votingAnchorage Daily News - State watchdog finds ballot group violated Alaska laws in effort to repeal ranked choice votingAlaska Beacon - Two more Alaska ballot measures pass legal muster, but another is disqualifiedGroups Taking Action:Alaskans for Better Elections ===Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.orgWant ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #AlaskaPolitics #DarkMoney #RCV #AlaskansforBetterElections

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 31, 2023Investigation Expands Into Alleged Sketchy Behavior of Groups Trying to Repeal Alaska's Ranked Choice VotingWe're revisiting a complicated and expanding story from July, involving alleged sketchy behavior from groups hoping to repeal ranked choice voting in Alaska, involving a pastor, a group he organized as part of his church, and a former U.S. Senate candidate. Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content.  To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.Today's LinksArticles & Resources:Anchorage Daily News - Ranked choice voting opponents begin gathering signatures for ballot initiativeAlaska Public Media - Complaint alleges foes of Alaska's ranked choice voting formed a church to funnel political donationsAlaska Beacon - Another campaign complaint filed against opponents of Alaska ranked choice votingAlaska Beacon - Report from Alaska campaign regulator says Tshibaka-linked group violated state lawStateline News - As ranked choice voting gains momentum, parties in power push backPreserve Democracy - Anti-RCV Presentation Made to Alaska Legislative CommitteeRepublican National Committee - Resolution Opposing Ranked Choice VotingAlaska Division of Elections - Ranked Choice Voting - ExplainedAlaskans for Better Elections - Supplemental Filing Alleging Connections Between Two Anti-RCV GroupsGroups Taking Action:Alaskans for Better Elections,  FairVote, Represent.Us, Rank the Vote ===Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.orgWant ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #RCV #

The Tuesday & Wednesday nor'easter knocked out our power, so apologies for the late posting!Ranked Choice Voting May Have a Breakout Year in 2023 with Bills Proposed in 9 States Today's LinksArticles & Resources:Try Out Ranked Choice Voting - Election: Practice Ranked-Choice Voting: Favorite Alaska Wild AnimalNBC News - Following a big year, more states push ranked-choice voting CT Mirror/Hartford Courant - Could CT get ranked-choice voting? There's a bill submitted that calls for it.Westword - Should Denver Switch to Ranked-Choice Voting?Alaska Beacon - Five takeaway lessons from Alaska's first ranked choice electionGroups Taking Action:FairVote (national), List of State RCV Groups, Alaskans for Better Elections, Democracy MaineToday's Script:  (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.2023 appears to be a breakout year for Ranked Choice Voting, also known as Instant Run-Off.  The system has a years-long track record in Maine, successful use in Alaska last year, and adoption by over 50 municipalities.   And there are proposed bills in several state legislatures this year.Instead of voting for just one person, Ranked choice voting allows a voter to vote for multiple candidates, ranking them in order of preference.  If a candidate gets 50% plus 1 vote, they win.  If 50% is not reached by one candidate, the lowest vote-getter is eliminated, and those votes are distributed to the voter's second choice.  Rounds continue until a candidate exceeds 50% plus one vote.  Polling after Alaska's 2022 elections showed that over 85% of Alaskans thought it was simple to do.   So far in 2023, NBC News reports that RCV bills have been introduced in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Missouri, Montana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, New Jersey, and New York.  Some are considering implementation for federal & state elections, some just for primaries, and others are authorizing use in cities and towns.  In Georgia, legislators are questioning the price tag of a separate run-off Senate election, which could have been avoided in November with Ranked Choice voting. Virginia is already testing it, and has bipartisan support.Try out ranked choice voting at our website, and find resources to learn more, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl. 

In today's episode, Grace Ramsey, Co-Director of Democracy Rising, and Juli Lucky, Executive Director of Alaskans for Better Elections, discuss the importance of RCV voter and candidate education, the value of building a coalition of education partners, and key concepts to consider when educating voters. Tune in to learn more! Complete the quick RCV Clips Listener Survey here: https://form-usa.keela.co/rcv-clips-podcast-listener-survey-2023 Resources mentioned in this episode: - Democracy Rising: https://www.wearedemocracyrising.org/ - Alaskans for Better Elections: https://alaskansforbetterelections.com/ - Alaska Division of Elections: https://www.elections.alaska.gov/

Ranked Choice Voting May Have a Breakout Year in 2023 with Bills Proposed in 9 States Today's LinksArticles & Resources:Try Out Ranked Choice Voting - Election: Practice Ranked-Choice Voting: Favorite Alaska Wild AnimalNBC News - Following a big year, more states push ranked-choice voting CT Mirror/Hartford Courant - Could CT get ranked-choice voting? There's a bill submitted that calls for it.Westword - Should Denver Switch to Ranked-Choice Voting?Alaska Beacon - Five takeaway lessons from Alaska's first ranked choice electionGroups Taking Action:FairVote (national), List of State RCV Groups, Alaskans for Better Elections, Democracy MaineToday's Script:  (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time) You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.2023 appears to be a breakout year for Ranked Choice Voting, also known as Instant Run-Off.  The system has a years-long track record in Maine, successful use in Alaska last year, and adoption by over 50 municipalities.   And there are proposed bills in several state legislatures this year.Instead of voting for just one person, Ranked choice voting allows a voter to vote for multiple candidates, ranking them in order of preference.  If a candidate gets 50% plus 1 vote, they win.  If 50% is not reached by one candidate, the lowest vote-getter is eliminated, and those votes are distributed to the voter's second choice.  Rounds continue until a candidate exceeds 50% plus one vote.  Polling after Alaska's 2022 elections showed that over 85% of Alaskans thought it was simple to do.   So far in 2023, NBC News reports that RCV bills have been introduced in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Missouri, Montana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, New Jersey, and New York.  Some are considering implementation for federal & state elections, some just for primaries, and others are authorizing use in cities and towns.  In Georgia, legislators are questioning the price tag of a separate run-off Senate election, which could have been avoided in November with Ranked Choice voting. Virginia is already testing it, and has bipartisan support.Try out ranked choice voting at our website, and find resources to learn more, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl. 

HOUR 1Tom S returns from FairbanksEarth's population reaches 8 billion / (MB) https://www.morningbrew.com/daily/stories/2022/11/14/global-population-hits-8-billion?Senator Ted Cruz defends Senator Rick Scott after Mark Thiessen blacks Scott on the Brian Kilmeade Radio Show / (FOX News) https://www.foxnews.com/video/6315616401112Stephen Wright in Mat-Su, a state senate candidate, overviews the final counting by the Div of Elections today, Friday, and next Tuesday in the final rank choice daySix Assembly seats open in April 2023 in Anchorage / (ADN) https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2022/11/14/anchorage-assembly-could-see-significant-turnover-in-the-coming-months/HOUR 2Jason Grenn, Executive Director, Alaskans for Better Elections / https://alaskansforbetterelections.com/Gary in East AnchorageRep Kevin McCabe on his Facebook lawsuit defense

Aug. 16 Alaska Primary Includes Special Election, Regular Primary, and Both Choose One & Ranked Choice Voting Today's LinksArticles:Alaska for Better Elections -  Alaska Elections Timeline Alaska for Better Elections - How do I vote in the primary election?Alaska Public Media - Alaska election guide: Q&As with candidates for U.S. House, U.S. Senate and governorAnchorage Daily News - Early voting begins in Alaska cities ahead of Aug. 16 electionAlaska Division of Elections -  Sample Ballots Groups Taking Action:Alaskans for Better Elections, List of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) groups around the country,Fair VoteYou're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.Alaska broke new ground in June with the first-ever “top-four” Congressional special primary to replace the late Rep. Don Young.  This was the first time Alaskan's used ranked choice voting, which winnowed down a field of 48 candidates to four, including former governor Sarah Palin, tech millionaire Nick Begich III, and legislator Mary Peltola.  A fourth candidate dropped out.  August 16th, voters return to vote on those four candidates, plus vote in their regular primary, including a U.S. Senate race with incumbent Lisa Murkowski and 18 challengers, another U.S. House race with 22 candidates, and a governor's race with 10 candidates.  The regular primary is using conventional “choose one” voting. Only the special election for U.S. House will be conducted using ranked choice voting, with voters ranking the candidates in order of preference. In the special U.S. House race, if the top ranked candidate doesn't receive 50% of the vote, the 3rd place candidate's votes will be reassigned, weighting them according to the voters' rankings.   The August 16th U.S. Senate and regular U.S. House races will also be “top four” races, with the top four candidates advancing to the General Election on November 8th.   There are also 59 of 60 state house and senate races at stake.  Alaska's voters have embraced voting by mail, so ballots have almost two weeks to arrive and be counted after election day.   Results will not be known until September. More information on the August 16 election and Alaska's ranked choice voting system are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org   

Jason Grenn is the executive director of Alaskans for Better Elections, an organization that lobbied for Ranked Choice Voting in Alaska and, now that we have it, is working to educate the electorate about it. After years as a registered Republican, he changed his registration to Independent just prior to running for the Alaska House of Representatives where he served from 2016-2018 representing the Sand Lake area of Anchorage.  We discuss how his time in the House Majority Coalition and his move away from the Republican party informed his passion for Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). 

In today's episode, Jason Grenn, Executive Director of Alaskans for Better Elections, will discuss the results of Alaska's special primary election and the upcoming special general election and regularly scheduled primary in August. Resources mentioned in the episode: Alaska Elections in 2022 - Alaskans for Better Elections - 2022 Statewide Elections Overview page: https://alaskansforbetterelections.com/2022-statewide-elections-information/ Special Primary - Ballotpedia - Three candidates advance from Alaska's special top-four U.S. House primary: https://news.ballotpedia.org/2022/06/28/three-candidates-advance-from-alaskas-special-top-four-u-s-house-primary/ - Alaska Division of Elections - Special Elections page: https://elections.alaska.gov/specialelections.php - Alaska Division of Elections - Special Primary Election Results - June 11, 2022: https://www.elections.alaska.gov/results/22SPECPRIM/index.php Special General + Regular Primary - Alaskans for Better Elections - Combo Ballot Explainer (pdf): https://alaskansforbetterelections.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Combo-Ballot-Explainer.pdf - Alaska Division of Elections - RCV page: https://www.elections.alaska.gov/RCV.php

Alaska Special Election is the Frontier for Election ReformToday's LinksArticles:  Ballotpedia - "United States House of Representatives special election in Alaska, 2022 (June 11 top-four primary)", Washington Post - "Alaska is having the wildest election of 2022",  State of Alaska tutorial on Ranked Choice Voting - "ALASKA BETTER ELECTIONS IMPLEMENTATION"Organizations Taking Action:    Alaskans for Better Elections, Fair VoteYou're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.You may have heard news reports about a special election in Alaska two weeks ago to replace U.S. Congressman Don Young, who died March 18th.   Most press reports focused on the 48 candidates, including former Alaska Governor and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, and North Pole City Council member Santa Claus.   But the next round of this election is more important for being a frontier in election reform.Alaska's June 11th special election was the first “Top Four” Congressional primary in U.S. history.   As of the June 21st final count, Sarah Palin and three other candidates advanced to a second round.  The primary was also an “open” primary, with Republicans, Democrats, third partys and independents on one ballot. Now, the top four candidates will face off in the combination special election general and state primary on August 16th, but this time, Ranked Choice Voting will be used by Alaskans for the first time in a statewide election.   RCV was adopted by referendum in the 2020 election, and the State of Alaska has posted sample ballots, instructions and videos to educate Alaska voters.   After all this, the winner of the election serves out Congressman Young's term from August 2022 to January 2023.  The midterm general election is November 8th, 2022, where incumbent U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski is running for re-election.Links to articles on the special election and Alaska's tutorial on Ranked Choice Voting is at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it's something we DO.” For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl.

With a special primary for US representative on June 11 and upcoming elections this fall, representatives from Alaska Division of Elections and Alaskans for Better Elections explain how the voting process works and answer audience questions.

With a special primary for US representative on June 11 and upcoming elections this fall, representatives from Alaska Division of Elections and Alaskans for Better Elections explain how the voting process works and answer audience questions.

In today's episode, Chris Hughes, the RCVRC Policy Director, will share a bit about himself and provide a quick policy overview of what is happening in ranked-choice voting elections in 2022, particularly as it relates to special elections. -- Resources mentioned in this episode and stories on special elections in Alaska: - Alaska Division of Elections - 2022 Special Election: https://elections.alaska.gov/specialelections.php - Alaskans for Better Elections: https://alaskansforbetterelections.com/ Passing of Alaska Representative Don Young - NPR: https://www.npr.org/2022/03/18/1087702792/alaska-rep-don-young-the-longest-serving-current-member-of-congress-dies-at-age- Nick Begich links - ADN Article: https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2019/09/18/plane-carrying-cokie-roberts-father-disappeared-in-alaska-in-1972-it-was-never-found/ - An entire podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/missing-in-alaska/id1569883308 Large # of candidates - Alaska's New Source - More than 50 candidates file for Young's congressional seat: https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2022/03/31/crowded-primary-well-known-political-leaders-ranked-choice-alaskans-line-up-replace-late-rep-don-young/ - ADN on 48 candidates: https://www.adn.com/politics/2022/04/01/51-candidates-a-wild-us-house-race-takes-shape-in-alaska/ - FiveThirtyEight: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/does-alaskas-special-election-create-an-opening-for-sarah-palins-comeback/ RCTab: https://www.rcvresources.org/rcv-universal-tabulator

Senator Bill Eigel adds to the conversation about Ranked Choice Voting as it continues around the country, much to the dismay of anyone who believes that one person means one vote. Ranked Choice would give voters the opportunity to vote, technically, more than once. Better Elections is a group trying to change the voting system, but the money used to fund that campaign isn't even Missouri money, which is concerning.   © KFTK (Audacy) All Rights Reserved. | Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images

In this newscast: A marine geology expert says signs suggest upward movement of magma below Mt. Edgecumbe; Alaskans for Better Elections taught Juneau residents about voting changes with M&Ms; State health data shows Alaska has a high seven-day case rate

In this newscast: Sealaska is voting on removing a blood quantum requirement; SEARHC has a new opioid treatment clinic in Juneau; Alaskans for Better Elections is campaigning to inform voters of how to vote with recent changes for the special by-mail primary to fill Representative Don Young's seat

A group known as "Better Elections" is gathering signatures across Missouri in an effort to place ranked-choice voting on your November ballot. Ranked-choice voting essentially allows voters to pick from Republicans and Democrats during a primary election. Supporters say it expands voters' freedom to choose the leaders who will represent them. They also say it would improve the integrity of elections. A number of Missouri House Republicans have criticized ranked-choice voting. "Better Elections" spokesman Scott Charton appeared live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Columbia" this morning, and explained the group's effort and how ranked-choice voting would work:

On this episode of Toppling The Duopoly, host Shawn Griffiths is joined by Cathy Stewart and Amikka Smith, who are co-hosting IndependentVoting.org's 20th Annual Anti-Corruption Awards on Monday, October 25 at 6 PM EDT. This year, Independent Voting is taking the event national by hosting a virtual event available to anyone who wants to register to attend. The awards honor individuals that span the political spectrum who are working to advance the independent voter movement. This year, the honorees include former Gehl Foods CEO Katherine Gehl, founder of the Institute for Political Innovation and leading advocate for Final Five Voting, which would implement a nonpartisan top-5 primary with ranked choice voting in the general election. The event will also honor Farhad Mohit, founder of Flipagran (which was acquired by the company behind TikTok), who started an open source platform to help independent candidates be more competitive called the Good Party, and Gaby Cardenas, Principal and CEO of the multicultural marketing firm The Colibri Collective, for the strides she has made in connecting independent voters. Cathy and Amikka promise attendees will have a good time as they learn more about the honorees and the growing independent voter movement. You can register for the event here. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/toppling-the-duopoly/support

Former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty Tuesday on all three charges in the killing of George Floyd. Vice President Harris and President Biden applauded the verdict, and in their remarks, both decried what they called “systemic racism” in America’s police forces and other institutions. It’s a phrase associated with what’s called "Critical Race Theory" –an approach to the study of politics and history that is moving from the academy to politics, business and popular culture. And while Washington is focused on reforming voting laws at the national level, we look at a proposal for a different approach to elections called “Final Five Voting.” Carl Cannon, Phil Wegmann, and A.B. Stoddard join moderator Andrew Walworth on today's RealClearPolitics Takeaway podcast.

In the latest episode of Toppling the Duopoly, host Shawn Griffiths and his guests discuss a lawsuit that seeks to overturn the will of the people in Alaska, who approved a comprehensive reform amendment in November 2020 that: Shines a light on dark money in state politics Implements a nonpartisan top-four primary Makes Alaska the second state to adopt ranked choice voting Joining Shawn to talk about this is Jason Grenn, executive director of Alaskans for Better Elections, and Scott Kendall, attorney for the group. Alaskans for Better Elections spearheaded the campaign for the amendment, which was on the ballot as Ballot Measure 2, and is now an intervening party in the lawsuit against it. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit assert that the new system harms individual rights to association on the ballot, but the courts have already weighed in on this in multiple states for similar systems, and found this claim to hold not merit since it treats voters and candidates equally from the onset of the electoral process. Jason and Scott talk about Ballot Measure 2, the lawsuit, and continued efforts to increase voter education on the new electoral system created under the amendment, which they say is boosting support even more. Even legislators are coming together and forming cross-partisan coalitions as the new system shifts the incentive structure to put voters before party. Check out this amazing conversation, and if you haven't already be sure to like or subscribe to Toppling the Duopoly wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening, and as always... stay independent. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/toppling-the-duopoly/support

A first presidential impeachment… the COVID pandemic with great dissension over shutdowns, social distancing and mask-wearing…Our hotly contested 2020 election followed by major efforts at election reversal culminating with insurrection and a second impeachment trial...  It's been quite a year, much too full of subject matter since we started researching and producing Purple Principle episodes on the theme of polarization. Episode 22, “Polarization as Plague,” is Part One of our two-part season finale. We start off in the neuroscience laboratory with previous featured guests, Dr. Abigail Marsh of Georgetown (Ep 4, “Heard from the Herd”) and Dr. Jay Van Bavel (Ep 9, “Your Brain on Partisanship”) for a quick lesson on the brain structures underlying political orientation and the brain functions fueling partisanship.  Yet brains haven't changed in millenia. Why are we more partisan of late? Look no further than the polarizing nature of our two party political system, as noted by both Dr. Van Bavel and noted author and historian, Dr. Geoffrey Kabaservice (author of Rule and Ruin, Oxford Press). We also consult media experts from two different but equally influential domains: Dr. Robert Elliott Smith (University College London) on the polarizing algorithms of social media and Dr. Dominik Stecula on opinion-based Cable News.  What is a polarized nation and society to do? Several experts weigh in on that question during this fast-moving finale focused on the hyperpartisan plague. Please tune in, share us on social media, review us on Apple Music, and subscribe to our newsletter, The Purple Principle in Print, which collects the latest and greatest articles, trends, and issues around the perils of partisanship. Original Music composed by Ryan Adair Rooney. For show notes and transcript, please visit our website: www.fluentknowledge.com/shows/the-purple-principle/polarization-as-plague Source Notes: Keith Poole Data. Voteview.  Lauren Sibilia. Vermont General Assembly.  Party Affiliation. Gallup.  Abigail Marsh. Georgetown University.  Abigail Marsh. The Laboratory on Social and Affective Neuroscience.  Across the Table. Pew Research Center.  Political Polarization in the American Public. Pew Research Center.  DeAngelis, T. (2001). “All you need is contact.” American Psychological Association 32:10.  Robert Elliott Smith. Dominik Stecula  Kate Kenski et. al. (2017). "Broadcasting versus Narrowcasting: Do Mass Media Exist in the Twenty-First Century?." In The Oxford Handbook of Political Communication. : Oxford University Press. “Fourth Congressional District.” Congressman Jason Altmire.  Jason Altmire (2017). Dead Center: How Political Polarization Divided America and What We Can Do About It. Sunbury Press.  E. McGhee et. al. (2014). A Primary Cause of Partisanship? Nomination Systems and Legislator Ideology. American Journal of Political Science, 58(2), 337-351. Myq Kaplan.  Jay Van Bavel Cikara, M., & Van Bavel, J. J. (2014). The Neuroscience of Intergroup Relations: An Integrative Review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 9(3), 245–274.  Carolyn Funk et. al. (10/17/12). Genetic and Environmental Transmission of Political Orientations. Political Psychology 34 (6).  Trevor Potter. Campaign Legal Center.  “A primer on gerrymandering and political polarization.” Brookings Institute. Geoffrey Kabaservice (2011).Rule and Ruin: The Downfall of Moderation and the Destruction of the Republican Party, From Eisenhower to the Tea Party Geoffrey Kabaservice, Niskanen Center  Andrew Gelman More in Common The Hidden Tribes of America  India Opzoomer (9/24/20). “America Speaks: What do they think about cross-party marriages?” YouGov.  Alaskans for Better Elections - Yes on 2 for Better Elections  “Ranked Choice Voting 101.” FairVote.  John Opdycke. Open Primaries.

The Year 2020 has not exactly been brimming with good news. Certainly in terms of public health and the economy, you could say it was the worst of times and the worst of times.   But we did find a bright audio spot in Purple Principle Episode 13, which we repodcast today with important new information, most notably that Alaska's ambitious Ballot Measure Two has officially passed.  Ballot Measure Two packaged together the opening of statewide primaries to non-partisan or independent voters with top four ranked choice voting and greater campaign finance transparency – all in one referendum!  But Alaskan politics is different. A remarkable 57% of Alaskan voters are registered as either non-partisan or unaffiliated voters. The drafters of Alaska Ballot Measure Two sought to preserve and enhance this non-partisan political culture toward more cooperative governance.   This repodcast features excerpted interviews with the successful Campaign Manager of Alaskans for Better Elections, Shea Siegert, on the challenges surmounted by Ballot Measure Two.   Join us as The Purple Principle takes an audio cruise through our nation's most indie-minded state while asking if Alaska might inspire similar efforts against polarization among the lower 48.    Original Music by Ryan Adair Rooney. For show notes and transcript, please visit our website: www.fluentknowledge.com/shows/the-purple-principle/repodcast-of-declaration-of-independents-alaska-style

RCV for Colorado is a non-partisan advocate of giving voters more voice through ranked choice voting.Better Elections are easy as 1-2-3 when voters get to rank their choices. You won't have to choose between the lesser of two evils - if your favorite candidate can't mathematically win, your vote is transferred to your second choice. Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is a real option to improve our democracy. Other countries use RCV - Australia has been using it for over 100 years! The Colorado Secretary of State has guideline for local and county administrators. RCV for Colorado wants to help you make this happen...follow us for events and coordinated local efforts.Learn more at: https://rcvforcolorado.org/★ Support this podcast ★

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com