Rae Vogeler on Government Reform

Full public financing of elections

Q: Do you favor stricter limits on political campaign funds?

A: Strongly Favor. I support full public financing of elections. Elections in the United States are paid for by the wealthy. As a result, the rest of us have little say or representation. Public funding will remove undue influence in political campaigns. [We should] provide equal media access to candidates. All viable candidates at the state & federal levels should have free & equal radio and television time and print press coverage.

Source: Email interview with OnTheIssues.org Oct 1, 2006

Proportional representation instead of winner-takes-all

Implement proportional representation. The winner take all two-party system leaves voters with few choices in candidates. Independent and third party alternatives are often ignored because they "can't win". Proportional representation allows seats to be apportioned in the same proportion as the votes: if a party receives ten percent of the votes, they win ten percent of the seats. Proportional representation allows for greater choice and wider variety of voices in government. Source: Email interview with OnTheIssues.org Oct 1, 2006

Establish Instant Runoff Voting

Our present system allows people to be elected without winning a majority of the votes. Require the use of Instant Runoff Voting in chief executive races, (mayor, governor, president, etc.) where voters can rank their favorite candidates (1,2,3, etc.) to guarantee that the winner has majority support and that voters are not relegated to choosing between the lesser of two evils. Source: Email interview with OnTheIssues.org Oct 1, 2006

Replace the Electoral College with direct election

Eliminate the Electoral College. Support a constitutional amendment abolishing the Electoral College and providing for the direct election of the president by Instant Runoff Voting. Source: Email interview with OnTheIssues.org Oct 1, 2006

Take politicians out of redistricting

Take politicians out of redistricting. Once every ten years the party in power uses redistricting in an attempt to increase its control. This process makes creates 'secure' seats that can't be contested and makes a sham of the democratic process. Give the 10-year redistricting process to the Census Bureau or an independent agency. Minority representation must be protected and secured in order to protect minority rights. Source: Email interview with OnTheIssues.org Oct 1, 2006

Election day holiday, or multi-day voting

Broaden voter participation and ballot access. Implement universal voter registration and an election day holiday and/or conduct elections over more than one day. Source: Email interview with OnTheIssues.org Oct 1, 2006

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