http://www.newamerica.net/programs/content/854/press Press Releases and In the News by Program for tabbed view on main program pages en http://www.newamerica.net/pressroom/2009/californias_electoral_system_needs_reform <strong>Media Contact</strong><br /> Liz Wu<br /> California Media Relations Manager<br /> 510-295-9859<br /> wu@newamerica.net<br /> <br /> SACRAMENTO, CA - In the wake of Tuesday's record low voter turnout and the resounding defeat of five of six ballot measures proposed by the Legislature, the New America Foundation renewed its call for a fundamental overhaul of California's dysfunctional electoral system.<br /> <p><a href="http://www.newamerica.net/pressroom/2009/californias_electoral_system_needs_reform">read more</a></p> Blair Bobier Mark Paul Steven Hill New America in California Instant Runoff Voting Political Reform Program Proportional Representation Universal Voter Registration Political Reform Wed, 20 May 2009 16:29:00 -0400 Elizabeth Wu 13807 at http://www.newamerica.net http://www.newamerica.net/pressroom/2006/walters_sacaramento_bee <div class="teaser-content"> <p>Last month&#39;s election provided new evidence that while politicians from the two major parties fight their shrill ideological battles -- egged on by radio and cable television talkers -- they represent ever-shrinking constituencies and thus are becoming increasingly disconnected from the larger society.</p><p>The political middle, disenchanted with the confrontational and ultimately meaningless tone of contemporary politics, has been growing. The number of voters who register as Republicans or Democrats in California has remained unchanged for a decade and a half while the ranks of independent voters have swelled to nearly a fifth of the total...</p><p>That&#39;s why, for instance, California&#39;s two major parties, which agree on practically nothing in the policy realm, joined arms to successfully challenge voter-approved open primary elections. Open primaries would allow cross-party voters and independents to make decisions on party nominees, thereby threatening the stranglehold of liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans on their parties&#39; dynamics.</p><p>And that&#39;s why leaders of the two major parties in the Legislature conspired after the 2000 census to redraw 173 legislative and congressional districts to designate each district&#39;s party ownership, minimize interparty competition and make the closed party primary the vehicle for electing officeholders...</p><p>Opening up California&#39;s political process by breaking up the partisan&hellip; <a href="/pressroom/2006/walters_sacaramento_bee">more</a></div><!-- /.teaser-content --> Sacramento Bee New America in California Instant Runoff Voting Political Reform Program Proportional Representation Political Reform Sun, 03 Dec 2006 22:36:00 -0500 Communications 4490 at http://www.newamerica.net