Campaign Legal Center’s Post

Legitimate issues would likely wind up in court or be addressed by clerks well before the election is certified. It takes time, but our processes are in place to triple-check everything, & that's one of many reasons we should be confident in our elections. https://lnkd.in/g6rpVSv3

For some states voting has already started. See five trends we’ve identified that will have major impacts on in-person voting in the 2024 elections. https://lnkd.in/gy-5P6c5

It is important that we, as American citizens, understand the purpose and process of our elections. Do you know what the Electoral College is and how it works? If you need a refresher, check out this article! "The Electoral College is a firm institution that holds both the tyranny of the majority and the power of the government at bay. It does not allow for either of these groups to ultimately corrupt elections because neither group has the final say." https://lnkd.in/gzB9_tGk #electoralcollege #elections #2024election

41% of our #elections are single or two-candidate elections. Is there a way to drive a candidate toward the #majorityopinion even if they are the only candidate? The article this week is on the #PerkinsProtocol and how using #noneoftheabove as a candidate empowers #maxvoting methods to ensure candidates seek to represent the majority opinion 100% of the time. #DemocracyMatters #FairElections #ElectoralReform #voterempowerment #voteforchange2024 #politicalinnovation #activistvoting #writeamustread

Ranked-Choice Voting Voting systems are the cornerstone of democracy, determining not only the outcome of elections but also the quality of representation and the nature of political discourse. Among the various voting systems, Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) and Instant-Runoff Voting (IRV) have gained attention as alternatives to the traditional plurality or 'first-past-the-post' system. This article delves into the nuances of RCV and IRV, comparing their mechanisms, benefits, and challenges. Understanding Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) RCV, also known as preferential voting, allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives a majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to the remaining candidates based on the next preferences indicated on the ballots. This process continues until a candidate achieves a majority. Pros and Cons of Ranked-Choice Voting Pros: Promotes majority support, discourages negative campaigning, and reduces the 'spoiler effect.' Cons: Can be complex for voters to understand and implement. Instant-Runoff Voting (IRV) Explained IRV is a type of RCV used in single-winner elections. It follows a similar process of eliminating the lowest-ranked candidates and redistributing votes. However, the term 'instant-runoff' emphasizes the elimination rounds that simulate a series of runoff elections until a majority winner is declared. Instant Runoff Voting Example An example of IRV can be seen in municipal elections where multiple rounds of counting occur until a candidate surpasses the 50% threshold. Pros and Cons of Instant-Runoff Voting Pros: Ensures a winner with broad support and can be cost-effective by avoiding separate runoff elections. Cons: May lead to voter fatigue and requires robust voter education. Comparing RCV and IRV While RCV can refer to both single-winner and multi-winner elections, IRV specifically refers to single-winner scenarios. The key difference lies in their application scope, with IRV being a subset of RCV tailored for a specific electoral context. Ranked Choice Voting Example In practice, RCV has been used in various jurisdictions to elect representatives, showing that it can lead to more moderate candidates being elected who appeal to a broader electorate. Calculating Votes in IRV An instant runoff voting calculator can help simulate the redistribution of votes in an IRV system, demonstrating how the process works in real-time IRV vs. Single Transferable Vote (STV) While IRV is used for single-winner elections, STV is employed for multi-winner elections, aiming for proportional representation by transferring surplus votes and eliminating the least popular candidates Is Ranked Choice Voting Constitutional? RCV has been deemed constitutional for federal elections, as Congress has the authority ...

📢 Spotlight on Local Democracy! 🗳️ Explore the crucial role of local election officials in maintaining the integrity of our democratic process. Our latest roundup on The Journalist’s Resource dives into the challenges they face, from misinformation to budget constraints, and highlights their dedication to ensuring fair elections. 🗳️🔍 #LocalElections #DemocracyInAction #ElectionIntegrity #JournalismMatters

Justice Department Launches Updated Voting Rights and Elections Website Thursday, April 18, 2024 Share For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs New and Updated Voting Rights Resources for Voters and Election Officials Released The Justice Department announced today that it has updated www.justice.gov/voting, a one-stop resource providing voting and elections information for voters as well as state and local elections officials. As part of the update, the Civil Rights Division published two new informational guides on voting rights and updated five other guides. The Department’s longstanding practice is to update resources and provide information in election years on the efforts of the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Division, National Security Division, and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country, to ensure that all qualified voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots and have their votes counted free of discrimination, intimidation, or criminal activity in the election process, and to ensure that our elections are secure and free from foreign malign influence and interference. Over the coming months additional resources will be published. “The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, the right from which all others flow,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “The Justice Department is using every available authority to defend that right, both from efforts to undermine voting rights and from efforts to threaten and intimidate those who administer our elections. These updated resources will help voters understand their rights and assist public officials in fulfilling their duties.” “Protecting the right to vote is one of the Justice Department’s highest priorities,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Today, the Department is issuing new guidance documents, updating others, and updating our main voting website to make available in one place the resources the Department offers on voting rights — from a guide on the laws governing voting-related language assistance to a video explaining the protections against voter intimidation. We hope that these resources will make it easier for voters to exercise their rights and to enlist our help whenever and wherever those rights are under attack.” You can report suspected criminal activity regarding voting to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or by filing an online complaint at tips.fbi.gov. You can also contact local law enforcement. You can report possible civil rights violations at https://lnkd.in/eXj-dvke or 1-800-253-3931.   If at any time you are in imminent danger, call 911.  Updated April 18, 2024

Every country has a slightly different version on how their electoral system works. There are pros and cons of every system and none are perfect. No matter what the electoral system is in your country, our broadcasting clients can rest assured that InterKnowlogy's Election Insights Product can make it easy for them to explain to their viewers how their system works and why it matters to participate in democracy. Here's a short primer I put together explaining some of the major electoral systems in the world. https://lnkd.in/e2KUWVfj Scripps News #elections #news #broadcast #datavisualization #interknowlogy #ikinsights #electioninsights #cnn #magicwall #article

When & how do voters cast their ballots by mail in the US? And importantly -- what effect do mail voting policies have on voters and elections? We've just updated our explainer to include data from 2022; check it out on our site:

If, like me, you're concerned about the integrity of our elections, the undue power of the two-party system, the inability of independent-minded candidates to have their message heard, and the constant unfair gerrymandering of districts across the nation, there's one silver bullet that will solve the problem: Ranked Choice Voting. I strongly encourage you to research RCV and support its implementation locally, state-wide, and at the federal level.