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10 Steps to Repair American Democracy

10 Steps to Repair American Democracy. An Owner’s manual for Concerned Citizens by Steven Hill. 1. Secure the Vote. Impartial election officials Professionalization of election officials National elections commission Paper trail “Public interest” voting equipment

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10 Steps to Repair American Democracy

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  1. 10Steps to Repair American Democracy An Owner’s manual for Concerned Citizens by Steven Hill 10Steps to Repair American Democracy

  2. 1. Secure the Vote • Impartial election officials • Professionalization of election officials • National elections commission • Paper trail • “Public interest” voting equipment • Long-term commitment / Funding of elections 10Steps to Repair American Democracy

  3. 2. Expand Voter Participation • Universal voter registration • National voting holiday or weekend voting • “Right to vote” constitutional amendment • Washington D.C. voting rights • Ex-felons and prison enfranchisement • Prohibition of voter suppression and intimidation • Overseas voter enfranchisement • International and nonpartisan election observers 10Steps to Repair American Democracy

  4. 3. Instant Runoff Voting • Elect majority winners • No more spoiler dilemmas • Increase political debate • Diminished campaign mudslinging • Decreased polarization in party primaries 10Steps to Repair American Democracy

  5. 4. Scrap Winner-take-all Elections / Proportional Representation • For local, state, and federal legislatures • Nonpartisan redistricting reform • Citizens Assemblies to overcome partisanship and protectionism • IRV and fusion as partial steps 10Steps to Repair American Democracy

  6. 5. Direct Election of the President • Problems:> Spectator sport> Decided by errors or fraud> Small-state subsidy favors conservatives • Constitutional amendment • Intermediate steps:> States IRV> States proportional allocation of electors> States cosign treaty awarding electors acc. national popular vote 10Steps to Repair American Democracy

  7. 6. Overhaul U.S. Senate • More senators for high-population states • Reduce powers of the Senate • Unicameral Congress 10Steps to Repair American Democracy

  8. 7. Reclaim the Airwaves • Stop consolidation with antitrust laws • Break up cable TV monopoly • Restore the Fairness Doctrine • More robust public broadcasting • Subsidize daily newspapers • Airways to the public – Free media for candidates • Community broadband Internet 10Steps to Repair American Democracy

  9. 8. Minimize Money’s Role • Public financing • Free media for candidates • Third party candidates • Donation limits • Spending caps 10Steps to Repair American Democracy

  10. 9. Reform the Supreme Court • Term limits – no reappointment • Mandatory retirement age • Higher confirmation threshold • Multiple appointing authorities • Confirmation by House instead of Senate • Chief Justice:> Separate administration from adjudication> No lobbying> Openness of administrative powers 10Steps to Repair American Democracy

  11. 10. Restore Faith in Government • “Government is good for you” • Smart government vs. limited or big government • Self-promotion 10Steps to Repair American Democracy

  12. 11. Some Sources • FairVote – www.fairvote.org • National Popular Vote – www.NationalPopularVote.com • Common Cause – www.CommonCause.org • New America Foundation – www.NewAmericanet/political reform • Election Assistance Commission – www.eac.gov 10Steps to Repair American Democracy

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