A 12-Step Program for Independents
Nancy Ross at The Committee for a Unified Independent Party, Inc. (CUIP) – a self-described "national strategy center and organizing hub" for Independent voters – forwarded me the following list of 12 actions to help advance the interests of Independent voters.
I have not had much time to study this list, but I wanted to share it with others who, like me, want to see Independents gain an even stronger voice in shaping our shared futures.
I'd be interested to know what you think about this list – which items you think are most important versus least, most achievable versus least. And if you live in Missouri, I'd be especially interested in what you know about where our state stands on these 12 items. (I know some of the answers, but not all.)
I have not had much time to study this list, but I wanted to share it with others who, like me, want to see Independents gain an even stronger voice in shaping our shared futures.
I'd be interested to know what you think about this list – which items you think are most important versus least, most achievable versus least. And if you live in Missouri, I'd be especially interested in what you know about where our state stands on these 12 items. (I know some of the answers, but not all.)
1. Open Primaries: In some states, Independents are not allowed to vote in the primary elections, which are often the decisive elections. Primaries should be open to all voters.
2. Non-Partisan Elections: In these elections, candidates run without party labels. Several cities allow for nonpartisan elections. This development could help independents since it puts them on a more level playing field with the two major parties. Democrats and Republicans have organizations and money, but in cities where there are strong independent groups, non-partisan elections could make a meaningful difference.
3. Open Debates: Independents who gain ballot access and in some cases a level of financial support should be allowed in the debates. In Presidential elections, the Commission on Presidential Debates - run by the former heads of the Democratic and Republican Parties - set criteria for who's included. A candidate must be at 15% in the polls to be included. But asking someone for whom they are going to vote is a very different question than "who do you want to see in the debates?" It's a classic bait and switch.
4. Fusion or Cross Endorsement: Fusion is where a candidate can run on more than one line for an office, and the voter can vote for the candidate on the line of their choice. In NYC fusion has been used to empower independent voters and as a tool for political reform. For example, the NYC Independence Party has become a force in New York politics, and two years ago, we were able to get nonpartisan elections on the ballot. While it lost, there is another chance for it again next year. In addition, voting for a Democrat or Republican on an Independent ballot line sends a message that the voter wants nonpartisan governance.
5. Initiative and Referendum (I&R): Many states allow for I&R. However, the laws are often restrictive, requiring tens of thousands of signatures in a short period of time. Without a lot of money to hire people, that’s a difficult task. I&R should be easier. I&R allows citizens to vote directly on issues, bypassing the state legislature.
6. Same-Day Voter Registration: Allows voters to register and vote on the same day of the election.
7. Conduct of the Elections: There should be verifiable paper trails on all voting machines. It should be easier for people to vote: Why not hold elections on more than one day and on weekends?
8. Redistricting: This action should be in the hands of a nonpartisan body or done by computers not by state legislators who draw their own districts.
9. Structure of Boards of Elections: Many state and local boards, which oversee the elections, only allow Democrats and Republicans to work on them. Boards should be nonpartisan.
10. Term Limits: Promotes citizen legislators not career politicians.
11. Instant Runoff Voting (IRV): Allows voters to rank their choices so it's not a winner take all race. This is particularly helpful in conjunction with nonpartisan elections.
12. Ballot Access Reform: Democrats and Republicans write the laws that keep Independents off the ballot. Often it is twice as difficult for an independent candidate to get on the ballot than it is for D’s and R’s.
2. Non-Partisan Elections: In these elections, candidates run without party labels. Several cities allow for nonpartisan elections. This development could help independents since it puts them on a more level playing field with the two major parties. Democrats and Republicans have organizations and money, but in cities where there are strong independent groups, non-partisan elections could make a meaningful difference.
3. Open Debates: Independents who gain ballot access and in some cases a level of financial support should be allowed in the debates. In Presidential elections, the Commission on Presidential Debates - run by the former heads of the Democratic and Republican Parties - set criteria for who's included. A candidate must be at 15% in the polls to be included. But asking someone for whom they are going to vote is a very different question than "who do you want to see in the debates?" It's a classic bait and switch.
4. Fusion or Cross Endorsement: Fusion is where a candidate can run on more than one line for an office, and the voter can vote for the candidate on the line of their choice. In NYC fusion has been used to empower independent voters and as a tool for political reform. For example, the NYC Independence Party has become a force in New York politics, and two years ago, we were able to get nonpartisan elections on the ballot. While it lost, there is another chance for it again next year. In addition, voting for a Democrat or Republican on an Independent ballot line sends a message that the voter wants nonpartisan governance.
5. Initiative and Referendum (I&R): Many states allow for I&R. However, the laws are often restrictive, requiring tens of thousands of signatures in a short period of time. Without a lot of money to hire people, that’s a difficult task. I&R should be easier. I&R allows citizens to vote directly on issues, bypassing the state legislature.
6. Same-Day Voter Registration: Allows voters to register and vote on the same day of the election.
7. Conduct of the Elections: There should be verifiable paper trails on all voting machines. It should be easier for people to vote: Why not hold elections on more than one day and on weekends?
8. Redistricting: This action should be in the hands of a nonpartisan body or done by computers not by state legislators who draw their own districts.
9. Structure of Boards of Elections: Many state and local boards, which oversee the elections, only allow Democrats and Republicans to work on them. Boards should be nonpartisan.
10. Term Limits: Promotes citizen legislators not career politicians.
11. Instant Runoff Voting (IRV): Allows voters to rank their choices so it's not a winner take all race. This is particularly helpful in conjunction with nonpartisan elections.
12. Ballot Access Reform: Democrats and Republicans write the laws that keep Independents off the ballot. Often it is twice as difficult for an independent candidate to get on the ballot than it is for D’s and R’s.
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