The Bipartisan Policy Center’s Commission on Political Reform substantiates every goal of the Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act. It is now up to Nevada’s legislators. Will Nevada lead the way, set the example for the rest of the country? It is up to us to make it happen
Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act Could Benefit Party Finances
Can the Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act Really Increase Voter Turnout?
Right of Association, The Supreme Court, and the Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act
Resolving state issues could hinge on enactment of NEMRA
In addition to drastically improving the voting process in Nevada, the Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act (NEMRA) could be the key to resolving current and future thorny issues in the state.
As I have pointed out, candidates move towards and remain closer to the median voter under a primary system that is more inclusive. Along with the open blanket primary, the use of Ranked Choice / Instant Runoff voting, where being a voter’s second choice could lead to victory, candidates must not only take this middle road during the election, but must maintain that through a willingness to engage in rational dialogue during the legislative session if they hope to be re-elected.
The willingness to engage in constructive dialog, to collaborate with the opposition, is the key to problem solving. Without this open conversation, the root cause cannot be identified. Without attacking the root cause, no problem is resolved.
It’s true, if you look back on past legislative sessions, there have been periods where committee and floor votes are unanimous or nearly unanimous. Wouldn’t it be something is that became the norm?
We have the chance to to do that. All it takes is getting a bill filed, a hearing and vote in both chambers of the legislature, and the governor’s signature. During this campaign cycle, let candidates know how important this is to you when deciding on who to cast your vote for in November. Let’s have a BDR filed by December 10th.
GOP / Dems Can Regain and Grow Membership
In an era of growing voter frustration with Congress and politics in general, both the Republican and Democratic parties have been bleeding membership. The fastest growing segment in voter registration are those who declare no party affiliation. Recent polls also claim that more than 50% of registered voters consider themselves independent.
The two major parties can reverse this trend. Most people who left the parties have done so because they have, and continue to drift further to the extreme, away from the median voter. The Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act (see Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act – The Details) will bring candidates and the parties back closer the the median.
People like being part of a group, the feeling of belonging. Making the decision to leave a group can be difficult, if not traumatic. There’s no reason not to believe that if the Republican and Democratic parties returned to representing the center of their parties, those who left would feel comfortable to return and those who might not have considered registering would do so. There is only one way to find out…enact the Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act.
Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act – Phase II Kicks Off
Will Top Three Primary Increase Voter Turnout?
One of the claims often made about an open primary of any type is it will increase voter turnout. Depending on the type of open primary; independents identify as Democrat or Republican at the polls and vote that party’s ballot, independents register as Democrat or Republican by a set date and vote that party’s ballot, or blanket primary where all candidates are listed on the same ballot and all voters cast ballots, the results vary.
One study I link in my post “Nevada Election Modernization and Reform – The Details” states using a blanket format will increase voter turnout especially among unaffiliated voters. But what is the potential in Nevada?
The potential is huge.
Year
|
Primary Election Turnout / %
|
General Election Turnout / %
|
% Increase
|
2008
|
188.652 / 18.0
|
970,019 / 80.3
|
77.6
|
2010
|
320,648 / 30.1
|
723,515 / 64.6
|
53.4
|
2012
|
199,797 / 18.9
|
1,016,664 / 80.8
|
76.6
|
Considering unaffiliated voters have little incentive to come to the polls under the current system; not much excitement voting for judges and school board, those that do are citizens that are interested in their community. Looking at the general election turnout, imagine the excitement of a 50 – 60% primary turnout. Give unaffiliated voters a reason to show up and they will.
Why Now?
Hyper-partisanship is taking its toll on governments at all levels, city, county, state, and federal. Voters, at least in polls, are fed up with Congress, their own elected officials, and with voting in general. Younger voters, those we call Millennials who are the future, are staying away in numbers never seen before. Casting your first vote used to be a right of passage, looked forward to with the same excitement as getting your driver’s license or having your first legal drink. Not any more. Unless we reverse this trend, our future, the future of our children, and our grandchildren may not be good.
We can’t wait. We can’t procrastinate. We must act now. Our elected leaders must act now. The surest way to accomplish change is to get agreement from those who would be assumed opposed to it. Citizen initiatives can be antagonistic and create a “us against them” environment that could result in failure. Having those affected enact the change creates buy-in, an acceptance that change is needed and will benefit all the citizens of the state.
The next session of the Nevada legislature convenes on February 2, 2015. Legislators can submit bills up to February 9, 2015. The sooner the better. The number of bills each legislator can submit it determined by which chamber, Assembly or Senate, they are a member of and whether they are an incumbent or newly elected. That is why I started this project September, 2013.
Phase I, which is concluding now, involved meeting with key legislators and groups to gain a sense of acceptance. Would a change be possible? As a result of these meetings, I can say the answer is a qualified “yes”. Comments received ranged from basic interest; will keep an open mind, to genuine agreement.
Phase II starts now. This involves informing the public, letting legislators know there are enough people and groups who support these changes to make it worth their while to introduce the bill and give it a hearing.
Phase III will start on February 2, 2015. That will involve lobbying for passage.
The immediate challenge is to get a bill filed. This is your chance to act. Spread the word, contact legislators, let those running for office know your vote depends on their support for election modernization and reform in 2015.
Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act – The Details
THIS POSTING WAS UPDATED ON NOVEMBER 13, 2014
“The devil is in the details”. That may be true in some cases. In this case, I prefer “success is in the details”. So here they are.
Eliminates cost of primary if 3 or less candidates. All move to the general election. If a candidate receives at least 50%+1 of the votes cast in the primary, that candidate is elected, except for Congress due to federal law and the office would not be contested in the general election again reducing the cost of the campaign. This currently happens if all candidates are from the same party. However, the “majority” received is only from a small portion of only the one party, not all voters. Same vote using a top-three primary, the majority would be of all voters. Winner has a true mandate.