The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 30, 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.

A poll by Gallup finds majority support for a major third party option among almost every segment of voters, ticking up to 63%  last fall.  This includes increases among Republicans and independents.

Gallup asked this question:  “In your view, do the Republican and Democratic parties do an adequate job of representing the American people, or do they do such a poor job that a third major party is needed?”

Among those who answered, “No, a third party is needed,” 58% identified as Republicans, 75% as independents and 46% as Democrats.  As to household income, 63% of voters with incomes less than $50,000 dollars thought a third party was needed. Incomes of $50 to $100,000 were 58%, and over $100,000, 70%. 

Since 2013, support for a major third party hovers at plus or minus 60%, and hasn’t dropped below 40% since the poll’s inception in 2003.    

Third parties have been viewed as spoilers in American elections, such as Ralph Nader and the Green Party in 2000, or independent Ross Perot in 1992.  But Democracy reform advocates argue single ballot open primaries offer more choices, and ranked choice voting allows voters to vote with their heart for a third party candidate, while still choosing a major party candidate as a second choice.  

We’ve linked to the Gallup poll and more AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Gallup Organization – Support for Third U.S. Political Party Up to 63%
Gallup Organization – Poll Details – PDF Download
U.S. Department of State – Election Briefing Series: The Role of Third Parties in U.S. Elections

ABC News –  Why these voters are considering third-party options in the 2024 presidential race
Politico – ‘It Will Be a Nail Biter’: A Third-Party Scholar on the 2024 Election

Groups Taking Action:
FairVote, Represent.Us, Open Primaries

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ThirdParty #GallupPoll #RCV #OpenPrimaries

The post Gallup Poll Finds Americans Think a Major Third Party is Needed appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

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Today’s Links
Articles:
Statement from ACLU – ACLU COMMENT ON THE ELECTORAL COUNT ACT REFORM PROPOSAL
Statement from Campaign Legal Center – Senate Introduces Bipartisan Bill Updating the Electoral Count Act
Article from the Brennan Center for Justice – How to Fix the Electoral Count Act
Polling collected by Protecting Democracy –  Polling shows bipartisan support for critical updates to the Electoral Count Act

Groups Taking Action:   ACLU, Campaign Legal Center, Brennan Center for Justice, Protect Democracy

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

We’re wrapping up our discussion of the proposed, bipartisan Electoral Count Reform Act in the U.S. Senate with what advocacy groups are saying about the legislation.

Kary Moss, Acting National Political Director of the ACLU, said in a statement:  “The Senate should closely and carefully review the proposal introduced by Senators to reform the Electoral Count Act. Every American should be confident that the outcome of elections will be honored following a presidential election. It is imperative Americans have confidence in our democratic process, especially after the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6.”

The Campaign Legal Center also endorses the fixes to the Electoral Count Act.  Their statement reads, “The next presidential election could be one of the most contentious ever. Now is the time for the Senate to move this crucial legislation. Congress must act as soon as possible to pass the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act to protect the will of the people, because elections should be decided by voters, not partisan politicians.”

While endorsing the reforms, the Brennan Center for Justice reminds us, “Fixing the Elect­oral Count Act is a neces­sary and import­ant step, but it is no substi­tute for broader national safe­guards.  The Freedom to Vote John R. Lewis Act, which passed the House but was narrowly defeated because of the fili­buster earlier this year in the Senate, would have addressed many of the major prob­lems our demo­cracy faces. Passage of that bill or one like it must remain the long-term goal.

Read their full statements at 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.

The post American Democracy Minute for July 28, 2022: Democracy Advocates Speak Out on Election Count Reform Act appeared first on American Democracy Minute.