Webinars
12/21 at 1:00pm EST - Election Protection
With new, sometimes-confusing ID requirements coming online in a number of states, and continued partisan polarization of both the political landscape generally and the state electoral apparatus, protecting the franchise remains a major challenge. Three experts will discuss election protection successes and failures of the last election, and will look forward to 2012 and talk about what states and advocates can do in the next two to prepare.
Speakers:
Kathryn Boockvar, Voter Protection Expert for the Advancement Project
Eddie Hailes, Voter Protection Expert for the Advancement Project
Denise Lieberman, Voter Protection Expert for the Advancement Project
Tova Wang, Senior Democracy Fellow for Demos
12/14 at 1:00pm EST - Voter Registration Modernization
Despite efforts to make registration easier, the percent of eligible voters registered nationally remains stuck at around 70%. Now, with Help America Vote Act (HAVA) compliance a factor and new initiatives coming out of the U.S. Department of Justice, National Voter Registration Act enforcement and efforts at reaching universal registration are as important as ever. Moreover, advancements in technology provide states with an opportunity to modernize their voter registration systems to increase access and improve the system. Speakers will discuss some of the ongoing efforts and suggest easy reforms that states can undertake to modernize and expand voter registration.
Speakers:
Doug Chapin, Director of Pew’s Elections Initiative
Steven Rosenfeld, Author and Elections Consultant
Adam Sotak, Organizing Director for Democracy North Carolina
11/30 at 1:00pm EST - Alternatives to Plurality Elections
Early adopting states and localities that enacted alternatives to plurality elections, like instant runoff voting or ranked choice coting, have no been able to see these reforms in action. These alternatives promise to both reduce the "spolier effect" of third party candidates and eliminate the need for costly second round runoffs when a majority vote is not reached. This webinar will examine the efficacy of these alternative election models, discuss their pros and cons, and highlight both best practices and real world challenges to implementation.
Speakers:
Bob Hall, Executive Director of Democracy North Carolina
Steven Hill, Author and Former Director of New America Foundation’s Political Reform Program
John Kefalas, Colorado State Representative
Rob Richie, Executive Director of FairVote
11/16 at 1:00pm EST - Redistricting Reforms
Redistricting will play a major role in all state elections for the next decade. Some states, such as California, have attempted to reform how their state draws the legislative lines. But redistricting issues include not only who will draw the map but what should or shouldn’t be included. This webinar will consider a wide range of issues related to redistricting, from California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission to the undemocratic process of prison gerrymandering.
Speakers:
Kathy Feng, Executive Director of Common Cause California
Peter Wagner, Executive Director of Prison Policy Initiative
Brenda Wright, Director of Demos' Democracy Program
How to Join the Webinar:
into your browser)
2. Click “Join” next to Democracy and Elections Administration: Webinar.
3. Enter your name and email address and click “Submit.”
4. Call- in instructions will appear once you enter the webinar.
Just calling in?
1. Dial 1-800-391-1709
2. When a bridge number is requested, enter 127325
Prepare your system ahead of time:
2. Click “Start Part II” to install the ActiveX control.
Questions and Technical Problems:
If you have any questions in advance of this webinar, please contact Anthony Gad at agad@stateinnovation.org or call 608-262-8794.