The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 7, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

Democracy reform-related citizen ballot initiatives failed November 5th, as high turnout of GOP voters and deceptive messaging overwhelmed a citizen-led redistricting commission, open primaries and ranked choice voting.

Ohio’s Issue 1 citizen-led redistricting commission could not overcome high turnout and a deceptive rewriting of the issue’s ballot description by Ohio’s Secretary of State and Ballot Board.  That effort portrayed the reform itself as gerrymandering in an effort to confuse voters, and it failed 46 to 54 percent.  The measure proposed a 15-member, cross-partisan independent commission without politicians or lobbyists in an effort to create fair maps, rather than the current flawed politician-led system.

As part of a two-vote constitutional amendment process, Nevada voters considered Question 3, establishing a “top 5” open primary and ranked choice voting system. The second vote failed 45.5 to 54.5 percent after passing it two years ago.  

Colorado’s open primary initiative, Proposition 131, received only 44 percent approval, after being opposed by both the Democratic and Republican parties.

As of early November 6th, votes supporting Alaska’s Ballot Measure 2 to REPEAL its “top 4” open primary and ranked choice voting system had edged ahead, with 100,000 votes remaining to be counted.  

We’ll update that result and other democracy measures in a future report.

We have links to local analysis and the groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Ohio Capital Journal – Ohio voters reject Issue 1, leaving politicians in control over map-making process

Nevada Current – Nevada voters reject open primaries, ranked choice voting system
Colorado Newsline – Colorado voters appear to reject sweeping elections overhaul backed by wealthy donors
Alaska Beacon – Votes to repeal Alaska’s open primaries, ranked choice voting are narrowly ahead

Groups Taking Action:
Yes on Issue 1 Ohio, Yes on 3 Nevada, Yes on 131 Colorado, Alaskans for Better Elections

Check Your Voter Registration:

• U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #CitizensNotPoliticians #FairMaps #RankedChoiceVoting

The post High Turnout of Conservative Voters Also Led to Losses for Democracy Reform in Ohio, Nevada, Colorado and Potentially Alaska appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Sept. 24, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

We have three quick state updates, including a court decision favoring the over 97,000 Arizona voters who didn’t have citizenship documents on file, a promising poll showing Colorado voters may embrace open primaries and ranked choice voting, and a court case by Robert F. Kennedy to sticker out his name in Wisconsin.

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled Sept. 20th that over 97,000 Arizonans who, because of a state error were never asked for proof-of-citizenship documents, WILL vote using Arizona’s “full ballot.” The state will work to correct the files after the 2024 election.

Colorado Proposition 131 would implement single ballot open primaries and use ranked choice voting should it pass in November.    A poll of 800 voters by Colorado Voters First found 56% would vote for the initiative, 8% leaning yes, 21% no, and 4% leaning no.  Another 11% were undecided.  Nevada also votes on a similar proposal for the second time, as required by its constitution.  

With hundreds of thousands of ballots printed and some early ballots already sent, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appealed to have his name stickered over on the ballot after the Wisconsin Elections Commission denied his request.  The commission has since asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to take the case. 

Votebeat Wisconsin reported that local election officials expressed concern at the time it would take, and the unknown impact it could have on operation of optical ballot readers.  

We’ve linked to great local reporting,at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Arizona Mirror – AZ Supreme Court won’t limit 97,000 improperly registered voters

Arizona Supreme Court – Decision – MARICOPA COUNTY RECORDER STEPHEN v. ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE ADRIAN FONTES
Colorado Sun – Colorado’s all-candidate primary and ranked choice general election ballot measure is poised to pass, poll shows
Votebeat Wisconsin – Wisconsin clerks in sticker shock over Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s request to have name covered on ballot
Wisconsin Examiner – Appeals court will hear RFK Jr. lawsuit to get off presidential ballot
WISN – Wisconsin Supreme Court to take Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ballot challenge

Groups Taking Action:
Colorado Voters First

Check 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.org

Want 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 #ColoradoNews #WisconsinNews #ArizonaNews

The post Updates on 97,000 Registered AZ Voters Without Citizenship Proof, CO Open Primaries & RCV Poll, and Stickering Out RFK Jr. in WI appeared first on American Democracy Minute.