Attorney and IVC Media president Chad Peace focuses on election reform. He helped pass CA’s top-two primary and San Diego’s Measure K. His work analyzes how system design and structural reforms can give independent voters a more meaningful voice.
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For several generations, partisan leaders on both sides of the aisle have manipulated election and districting laws to reduce competition at the ballot box. The result is a political system filled with red and blue districts; a political dialogue that is conducted through ‘left’ and ‘right’ talking points; and, a
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A poll conducted by the Super PAC ‘icPurple’ shows that the Republican and Democratic heavyweights in San Diego’s bitter race for mayor are leading in the polls. However, Republican turned Independent Nathan Fletcher is within the margin of error, trailing Bob Filner (D) by just 3%. icPurple has already
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For a Democratic Party that champions the ideals of democracy, and a Republican Party that heralds the wonders of competition, it is a wonder that they do not support the competitive democracy produced by nonpartisan redistricting. As Proposition 14 attacked the structure of our partisan electoral system, Propositions 11 and
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Every ten years, district lines are redrawn following an updated US Census report. Whether at the state or federal level, partisan legislators have always redrawn the lines based on the reports. Out of concern for their own incumbency and out of a desire to reduce competition (and thereby lower the
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In June 2010, California voters changed the election system in California by approving Proposition 14 (“Prop 14”), to instate a non-Partisan open primary system. The objective of Prop 14 was to produce more competitive elections and to give independent voters and other non-majority-party voters a say in the election. According
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Political parties are private institutions. In fact, political parties have often asserted the private right of private association to prevent unwanted influence on party activities. Yet, prior to 2012, every state in the union, except Washington and Louisiana, had partisan based primaries. Therefore, in almost every state, nonpartisan voters pay
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Under the old rules, California had a party-controlled ‘Open’ system. In previous years during the June primary election, every voter received a ballot that contained initiatives (also known as “propositions”) and the names of candidates for non-partisan offices. The names of candidates running for partisan office, however, only appeared on
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In June 2010, California voters changed the election system in California by approving Proposition 14 (“Prop 14”). The objective of Prop 14 was to produce more competitive elections and to give independent voters and other non-majority-party voters a say in the election. According to longtime Republican strategist, Allan Hoffenblum, it
Election Reform
The founders of the American Republic rejected Parliamentary style democratic government in favor of the uniquely American construct precisely for the purpose of avoiding the emergence of strong ideologically based political parties. Political parties, they believed, promoted factionalism and undermined the ability to foster broader community values. The evolution of
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Voters who aren't Democrats or Republicans comprise about 1 out of every 4 registrants, and that number is growing. Voters who self-identify as independents is now over 60%. Steve Peace, co-Chair of the IVN.us's sponsor, the Independent Voter Project, talks about the growing importance of
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"If enthusiasm would win elections, we'd win hands down." You couldn't tell by Ron Paul's post-Florida primary speech that he came in last place with just 7% of the vote. An explosive crowd in Henderson, NV ranted and raved as Paul talked
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San Diego, CA. With the beginning of the candidate period on February 13 only days away, the Independent Voter Project (IVP) today released two new guides to help both voters and candidates understand the new rules in place because of the Top Two Open Primary Act (Open Primary Act) that