FairVote
Encyclopedia
FairVote is a U.S. non-profit organization based in Takoma Park, Maryland
, whose mission is to achieve universal access to participation, a full spectrum of meaningful ballot choices and majority rule with fair representation for all. Formerly the Center for Voting and Democracy, it supports a constitutionally protected right to vote, universal voter registration, a national popular vote
for president, instant-runoff voting
and proportional representation. It provides information to the public about the impact of voting system
s on political representation and voter turnout
, issues reports on legislative redistricting
and competition in U.S. congressional elections and seeks to initiate greater cooperation and coordination among pro-democracy
organizations through the Democracy SoS Initiative. FairVote is independent and not affiliated with Fair Vote Canada
, a Canadian non-profit with similar goals.
FairVote was founded in 1992 by scholars, civic leaders, grassroots activists and former elected officials such as John Anderson
, the former Illinois member of Congress who ran for President in 1980. Since FairVote's founding, Rob Richie
has served as its executive director.
Rob Richie
is executive director of FairVote.
Takoma Park, Maryland
Takoma Park is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a suburb of Washington, D.C., and part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1890, Takoma Park, informally called "Azalea City," is a Tree City USA and a nuclear-free zone...
, whose mission is to achieve universal access to participation, a full spectrum of meaningful ballot choices and majority rule with fair representation for all. Formerly the Center for Voting and Democracy, it supports a constitutionally protected right to vote, universal voter registration, a national popular vote
National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is an agreement among U.S. states designed to replace current state rules governing the electoral college system of presidential elections with rules guaranteeing election of the national popular vote winner...
for president, instant-runoff voting
Instant-runoff voting
Instant-runoff voting , also known as preferential voting, the alternative vote and ranked choice voting, is a voting system used to elect one winner. Voters rank candidates in order of preference, and their ballots are counted as one vote for their first choice candidate. If a candidate secures a...
and proportional representation. It provides information to the public about the impact of voting system
Voting system
A voting system or electoral system is a method by which voters make a choice between options, often in an election or on a policy referendum....
s on political representation and voter turnout
Voter turnout
Voter turnout is the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election . After increasing for many decades, there has been a trend of decreasing voter turnout in most established democracies since the 1960s...
, issues reports on legislative redistricting
Redistricting
Redistricting is the process of drawing United States electoral district boundaries, often in response to population changes determined by the results of the decennial census. In 36 states, the state legislature has primary responsibility for creating a redistricting plan, in many cases subject to...
and competition in U.S. congressional elections and seeks to initiate greater cooperation and coordination among pro-democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
organizations through the Democracy SoS Initiative. FairVote is independent and not affiliated with Fair Vote Canada
Fair Vote Canada
Fair Vote Canada is a nonprofit, multi-partisan advocacy group for electoral reform in Canada. It is active both federally and in those provinces where there are efforts to reform the first-past-the-post electoral system that is used in Canada...
, a Canadian non-profit with similar goals.
FairVote was founded in 1992 by scholars, civic leaders, grassroots activists and former elected officials such as John Anderson
John B. Anderson
John Bayard Anderson is a former United States Congressman and Presidential candidate from Illinois. He was a U.S. Representative from the 16th Congressional District of Illinois for ten terms from 1961 through 1981 and an Independent candidate in the 1980 presidential election. He was previously...
, the former Illinois member of Congress who ran for President in 1980. Since FairVote's founding, Rob Richie
Rob Richie
Robert Richie is the executive director of the FairVote, a non-profit organization that researches and advocates election reforms that increase voter turnout, accountable governance and fair representation, such as instant runoff voting and the National Popular Vote plan...
has served as its executive director.
Board Members
- John AndersonJohn B. AndersonJohn Bayard Anderson is a former United States Congressman and Presidential candidate from Illinois. He was a U.S. Representative from the 16th Congressional District of Illinois for ten terms from 1961 through 1981 and an Independent candidate in the 1980 presidential election. He was previously...
- Former Congressman from Illinois, and 1980 independent presidential candidate - Edward Hailes - of the Advancement ProjectAdvancement ProjectThe Advancement Project is group with the stated goal of promoting civil rights. It was founded in 1999 by civil rights lawyers in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.. Board members include Constance L. Rice, who is also a co-director, former United States Assistant Attorney General Bill Lann Lee,...
- Cynthia Terrell
- William Redpath - Libertarian PartyLibertarian Party (United States)The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
chair - Hendrik HertzbergHendrik HertzbergHendrik Hertzberg is an American journalist, best known as the principal political commentator for The New Yorker magazine. He has also been a speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter and editor of The New Republic, and is the author of ¡Obámanos! The Rise of a New Political Era and Politics:...
- columnist for The New YorkerThe New YorkerThe New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast... - Malia Lazu
- Pete Martineau
- Krist NovoselicKrist NovoselicKrist Anthony Novoselic II is a Croatian-American rock musician, best known for being the bassist and co-founder of the grunge band Nirvana. After Nirvana ended, Novoselic formed Sweet 75 and then Eyes Adrift, releasing one album with each band...
, Chair - Former NirvanaNirvana (band)Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
bassist - David Wilner
Rob Richie
Rob Richie
Robert Richie is the executive director of the FairVote, a non-profit organization that researches and advocates election reforms that increase voter turnout, accountable governance and fair representation, such as instant runoff voting and the National Popular Vote plan...
is executive director of FairVote.