10Steps

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: 

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

2. Expand Voter Participation: 

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

3. Instant Runoff Voting: 

3. Instant Runoff Voting Elect majority winners No more spoiler dilemmas Increase political debate Diminished campaign mudslinging Decreased polarization in party primaries

4. Scrap Winner-take-all Elections / Proportional Representation: 

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

5. Direct Election of the President: 

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

6. Overhaul U.S. Senate: 

6. Overhaul U.S. Senate More senators for high-population states Reduce powers of the Senate Unicameral Congress

7. Reclaim the Airwaves: 

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

8. Minimize Money’s Role: 

8. Minimize Money’s Role Public financing Free media for candidates Third party candidates Donation limits Spending caps

9. Reform the Supreme Court: 

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

10. Restore Faith in Government: 

10. Restore Faith in Government “Government is good for you” Smart government vs. limited or big government Self-promotion

11. Some Sources: 

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