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Steps to Make Sure Your Vote is Counted: A Guide for California Voters

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/26/2008 - 11:48.
in
Date Published: 
01/01/2009
Author(s): 
Voting Technology Project

No abstract available.

Rational and Pluralistic Approaches to HAVA Implementation

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/19/2008 - 14:05.
in
Working Paper No.: 
22
Date Published: 
01/01/2009
Author(s): 
R. Michael Alvarez
Thad E. Hall

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) has created a new dynamic for the oversight and implementation of federal elections, requiring states to assume greater control of election processes vis-a-vis their local governments than was previously the case in most states. We consider how HAVA has changed the relationship between states and localities, especially through the HAVA planning process. We examine two approaches that states have used in HAVA planning—a rational approach and a pluralistic approach—and how each can shape the power relationship between states and localities.

California Votes: The Promise of Election Day Registration

Submitted by admin on Fri, 06/13/2008 - 12:47.
in
Date Published: 
01/01/2009
Author(s): 
R. Michael Alvarez
Stephen Ansolabehere

Election day registration will produce higher voter participation in California.

  • States that have adopted EDR have witnessed a 3 to 6 percentage point increase in participation among the voting-age population.
  • Voting among young people and those who have moved in the last six months in nearly 15 percentage points higher in states with EDR.
  • California might experience an even larger increase in turnout--perhaps as much as 9 percentage points--because California has a younger and more mobile population

Rational and Pluralistic Approaches to HAVA Implementation: The Cases of Georgia and California

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 13:29.
in
Author(s): 
R. Michael Alvarez
Thad E. Hall
Journal: 
Publius
pp: 
559-577
Date Published: 
01/01/2009

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) has created a new dynamic for the oversight and implementation of federal elections, requiring states to assume greater control of election processes vis-a-vis their local governments than was previously the case in most states. We consider how HAVA has changed the relationship between states and localities, especially through the HAVA planning process. We examine two approaches that states have used in HAVA planning—a rational approach and a pluralistic approach—and how each can shape the power relationship between states and localities.

The Complexity of the California Recall Election

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 12:31.
in
Author(s): 
R. Michael Alvarez
Melanie Goodrich
Thad E. Hall
D. Roderick Kiewiet
Sarah M. Sled
Journal: 
PS: Political Science and Politics
pp: 
23-26
Date Published: 
01/01/2009

The October 7, 2003 California Recall Election strained California’s direct democracy. In recent California politics there has not been a statewide election conducted on such short notice; county election officials were informed on July 24 that the election would be held on October 7. Nor has California recently seen a ballot with so many candidates running for a single statewide office. With easy ballot access requirements, Secretary of State Kevin Shelley certified 135 candidates for the official ballot on August 13.

State desperately needs redistricting reform

Submitted by admin on Mon, 06/02/2008 - 15:00.
in
Newspaper: 
Pasadena Star News
Date Published: 
01/01/2009
Author(s): 
R. Michael Alvarez
Op-Ed

The other day, a colleague asked me about redistricting reform in California. He had three questions. Why do we need it, how do we do it, and why now?

We need to fix how legislative boundaries are drawn in California for a few simple reasons. One reason is that today's districts do not respect local communities, but instead our state is carved into bizarre districts whose primary purpose is to reelect incumbents.

Governor should hold to promise of reform

Submitted by admin on Mon, 06/02/2008 - 14:59.
in
Newspaper: 
Pasadena Star News
Date Published: 
01/01/2009
Author(s): 
R. Michael Alvarez
Op-Ed

It was just a year ago, back in January 2005, when Gov. Schwarzenegger said in his State of the State Address, "This year we must heal the patient" (the "patient", in his odd metaphor, being the state of California). To heal the patient, the governor argued that we had to do two things: reform the way the government spends money and the way the government operates.

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