LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
FloridaLeagueofWomenVotersOpenPrimaryStudyReport
StudyChair,MicheleLevy
StudyPreparers:
RayHudkins,MimiTipton,TheoWebster,BrendaAlston,PatDrago,Ann
Hellmuth,AnnaEskamini,RaechelGarafolo,KathyHansen,
SandraPowers,VivianFaircloth,JoMatthews,JimCanty
FloridaLeagueofWomenVoters
February2017
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
Abstract
ThepurposeoftheLeagueofWomenVotersofFlorida(LWVF)OpenPrimary
StudyistoevaluatethecurrentprimarysysteminFloridatodeterminewhether
itisahindrancetovoterturnout.
Since2000Floridavoterturnoutinprimaryelectionshasaveragedonly
22%hittingahistoriclowof17.6%inthe2014midtermelection.Toachievethe
studypurpose,theLeagueconductedliteratureresearchtocapturereasonsfor
andsolutionstolowvoterturnout;interviewedsupervisorsofelections;
interviewedcountypoliticalpartychairs;andsurveyedselectedstateleagues.
TheLeaguealsoconductedaSurveyMonkeyresponderself-selectionsurveyof
Floridamillennialvotersandnon-voterstodeterminetheirviewsonpotential
solutionstolowvoterturnout.TheHaasCenteroftheUniversityofWestFlorida
conductedashorttelephonerandomselectionsurvey.InadditiontheLeague
evaluatedselectedelectionsystemsagainstpre-determinedevaluationcriteria
todetermineifachangefromthecurrentclosedsystemtoanopenstylesystem
mayyieldimprovedvoterparticipation.
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
TABLEOFCONTENTS
IntroductionandStudyMethod
ExecutiveSummary LiteratureResearchandAnalysisofVoterTurnout
FactorsDrivingLowVoterTurnoutinPrimaryElections
PotentialVoterTurnoutImprovements AlternativeElectionSystemsAnalyses
StateDivisionofElectionsProcedures&LeaguePositions
SupervisorofElectionsInterviewReport PoliticalPartyInterviewReport 4
5
10
12
20
28
42
46
ElectionSystemsExpertsResponsestoLWVFQuestionnaires 52
OtherStateLeagueQuestionnaireReport Conclusions Appendices
AppendixA–StateandPresidentialElectionSystemsDefinitions
AppendixB–VoterTurnoutComparisons
AppendixC–OpenPrimaryQualifiedSources AppendixD–MillennialSurvey AppendixE–PresidentialPreferencePrimary AppendixF–FloridaVoterDemographics
Tables
Table#1-PotentialVoterTurnoutSolutions
Table#2–High/LowEligibleVoters2014GeneralElectionTurnout
Table#3-BipartisanPolicyCenterElectionProcesses2013Poll
Table$4-VotingAgeTurnoutin2012 55
60
61
64
67
70
75
82
13
83
84
85
Bibliography Glossary
Acknowledgements 86
97
99
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudyReport
ThepurposeoftheLeagueofWomenVotersofFlorida(LWVF)OpenPrimaryStudyis
toevaluatethecurrentprimarysysteminFloridatodeterminewhetheritisahindranceto
voterturnout.
Florida’sclosedprimaryelectionsystemrequiresthatavoterberegisteredwitha
majorpartytovoteforpartisancandidates.Thereareover3.4millionnopartyaffiliates
(NPA)andminorpartyvoterswhoareexcludedunlesstheychangetheirregistration(1).
Since2000Floridavoterturnoutinprimaryelectionshasaveragedlessthan23%
hittingahistoriclowof17.6%inthe2014midtermelection.(1)Toachievethestudy
purpose,theLeagueconductedliteratureresearchtocapturereasonsforandsolutionstolow
voterturnout;interviewedsupervisorsofelections,countypoliticalpartychairs,and
surveyedselectedstateleagues.TheLeaguealsoconductedaSurveyMonkeysurveyof
Floridamillennialvotersandnon-voterstodeterminetheirviewsonpotentialsolutionsto
lowvoterturnout.InadditiontheLeagueevaluatedselectedelectionsystemsagainstpredeterminedevaluationcriteriatodetermineifachangefromthecurrentclosedsystemtoan
openstylesystemmayyieldimprovedvoterturnout.
StudyMethod
Thestudymethodisacombinationofliteratureresearch,writtenandoralinterviews,
andsurveys.
First,literatureresearchwason-goingthroughoutthestudytoensurethelatest
informationonvoterturnoutandeffectivenessofelectionsystemswasevaluated.
Second,Leaguesinterviewedcountysupervisorsofelectionsviaquestionnairesand
follow-upface-to-faceinterviewswherepossible.
Third,theLeagueinterviewedcountypoliticalpartychairstocorrelatetheirviewson
lowvoterturnoutwithSOEresults.Inadditiontheseinterviewswereaimedtodeterminethe
chairsviewsonopeningprimaryelectionstoallvoters.
Fourth,theLeaguedesignedandimplementedawrittenquestionnaireseekinginputs
fromotherstateleagues.Theseleagueswereselectedtoberepresentativeofpotential
alternativeprimaryelectionsystems.TheOhioandOregonLeaguesconductedstudiesinthe
sametimeframeasourstudy.
Fifth,theLeague,inconcertwiththeUniversityofCentralFlorida(UCF),designedand
implementedacustomizedSurveyMonkeysurveyofmillennialvotersandnon-voters.Prior
togoinglive,thedraftsurveywastestedbyover160UCFstudents.Studentfeedbackwas
invaluableinshapingthefinalsurvey.Thesurveywasadministeredviae-maillinkstosurvey
respondentscontactedthroughtheircolleges,universities,unions,andyoungprofessional
organizations.Tofurtherunderstandmillennials,thestudycommitteeteamedwithTheHaas
Center,aresearchandconsultingarmoftheUniversityofWestFloridatoconductarandom
selecttelephoneinterviewofmillennialsusingthesamequestionsusedintheSurveyMonkey
survey.
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
Sixth,theLeagueevaluatedthefollowingelectionsystems:Closed;Openwith
UnaffiliatedVoters;Open;TopTwo;andInstantRunoffVoting(AppendixA)Eachsystemwas
analyzedusingfactsandexpertopinions.Aspartofthisevaluation,theLeaguealsocontacted
expertsandadvocatesforselectedsystems.Eachsystemwasanalyzedagainststudy
evaluationcriteriatodeterminetheirpotentialtoimprovevoterturnout.
ExecutiveSummary
The2016Electionhaschallengedmanyoftheassumptionsaboutwhatvoterswant
andhowelectionswork.Thiscomprehensivestudyonprimariesandimprovingvoterturnout
isanopportunitytoevaluateandreinventthecurrentprocess.Doyouthinkthatweshould
haveelectionsinwhichonly17%ofvotersdetermineacandidateforpublicoffice?Doyou
thinkourcurrentprimarysystemworkswellforFloridavoters?Doyoubelievethateveryone
whowantstoshouldbeabletoparticipatetotheirfullest?Ifyouansweredyestoanyofthese
questions,thenmaybeweshouldmakesomechangestothewayweselectcandidates.This
studywilllookatalternativestoourcurrentsystemwiththegoalofincreasingvoter
participation.
ThisExecutiveSummarycontainsthefollowingcomponents:(1)FiveKeyFindings;
(2)FactorsInfluencingVoterTurnout;(3)PotentialSolutionstoLowVoterTurnout;
(4)MajorFindingsfromInterviewswithSupervisorsofElections(SOEs),andfromLeadersof
PoliticalParties;(5)ElectionInputfromOtherStateLeagueswithDifferentorSameElection
Systems;(6)ElectionInputfromtheTwinCities—Minneapolis/St.Paul,Minnesotaandfrom
PierceCountyWashington(Tacomaarea).Additionally,twoinstancesofconsequencebear
notingwithrespecttoprovidingasenseofurgencytothisstudy:(1)Morethanamillionnew
votershaveregisteredasnon-partyaffiliated(NPAs)between2004-2016.This64%increase
innon-partyaffiliatedregisteredvotersisunprecedented,tothebestofourknowledge,and
(2)Fortypercent(40%)ofthisincreaseinNPAsaremillennials,ages18-34years.Therefore,
ourstudycommitteewouldberemissifitdidnotalsoaddresstheissueofmillennialsand
what,ifanything,shouldbedonetoincreasetheirparticipationintheelectionprocess.
Floridaisaclosedprimaryelectionsystemstate.ThismeansthatNPAsareexcludedfrom
votingincandidateprimaryelectionsunlesstheyregisterwitharecognizedpoliticalparty
withinthetimeframeallowedbylaw.Therefore,theresultsfromthesurveyofmillennialsare
alsoincludedasacomponentofthestudy.
TheanalyticalsupportforthecomponentsoftheExecutiveSummaryisprovidedinthe
actualdetailedstudyreportitself.Forexample,thisstudy,asaresultoftheparticipationof
manystatewideLeaguemembersindatagathering,dataanalysisandevaluation,and
technicalsupport,includesthefollowingkeyinformation:
• AnalysisofFiveElectionSystemswithFactsandExpertOpinions
• EvaluationoftheFiveElectionSystemsversusEvaluationCriteria
• DescriptionofPresidentialPreferencePrimaries(PPP);StateCaucuses
• StateDivisionofElectionsProceduresandLeaguePositions
• Bibliography
• Glossary
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
• Acknowledgements
NowherearethekeycomponentsoftheExecutiveSummary:
FiveKeyFindings:
•
•
•
•
•
ThevoterturnoutinFlorida’sclosedprimaryelectionsystemissignificantlylowerwhen
comparedwiththevoterturnoutdatafromopenelectionsystems.In2016seventy-six
(76%)percentofallopenprimarystateshavehigherturnoutthanFlorida.Also,thereare
afewstateswithclosedprimaryelectionsystemswithhighervoterturnoutthanFlorida’s.
VoterturnoutinFlorida’sprimaryelectionsystemisinfluencedbyacomplexsetof
factors.Nosinglesolutionmaysucceedinimprovingturnoutinprimaryelections.
Isolatingtherootcauseofotherstates’successwithhighervoterturnoutwas
unachievableinourtimeframe.
Therearemorethan3.4millionNPAsandminorpartyregisteredvoterswhoarenot
allowedtovoteincandidateprimaryelectionsunlesstheymeetthetermsdescribed
above.Morethan1.2millionnewvotershaveregisteredasnon-partyaffiliated(NPAs)
between2004-2016.Thisrepresentsa64%increaseinnon-partyaffiliatedregistered
voters,and40%ofthisincreaseinNPAsismillennials,ages18-34years.
Administrativeandlegislativeactionsarenotsufficient,inandofthemselves,toaddress
manyofthereasonsforlowvoterturnout,suchascandidatequalityorvoterapathy.
ReplacementoftheclosedprimaryelectionsysteminFloridawillrequirechangesto
FloridaStatutesand/orFlorida’sConstitution.Thecostsassociatedwithareplacement
havenotbeenascertainedandarenotincludedinthisstudy.
FactorsInfluencingVoterTurnout
Thefactorsinfluencingvoterturnouthavebeenorganizedintocategoriestofacilitate
understanding:
Awareness/Publicity/Education
Lesspublicityforprimariesthanforgeneralelections
Lackofciviceducation
Lackofparentsmodelingbeingavoterfortheirchildren
Voters’Feelings/Positions/Expressions
“Myvotedoesn'tcount”
“Whatdifferencewillmyvotemake”(voterapathy)
“Idon’ttrustgovernment”
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
“Idon’twanttojoinaparty”(Millennialstendnottoaffiliatewithpartybeliefs)
PoliticalIssues/Candidates
Gerrymanderingofdistricts
Non-responsivenessofelectedofficials
Polarizationofvoters
Candidatesontheballot
Issuesontheballot
EffectofPresidentialPreferencePrimaries(PPP)
HigherturnoutinPPP
Lowerturnoutinmid-term(off-year)elections
ClosedPPPexcludesNPAsandminorpartyvoters
SocioeconomicIndicators
Poverty
PotentialSolutionstoLowVoterTurnout
Thepotentialsolutionstolowvoterturnouthavebeenorganizedintocategoriesto
facilitateunderstanding.Solutionswith“Florida”inparenthesesindicatethatFloridahas
alreadyimplementedthechange.Solutionsinboldtextarethesubjectofconsensus
statementsdesignedtoascertainthesenseofLWVFleagues.
Administrative
ContinuesendingelectionreminderstovotersbySOEs(Florida)
ContinuevoterregistrationatDepartmentofMotorVehicles(DMV)(Florida)
Implementautomaticvoterregistrationatage18
Continuepre-voterregistrationatage16(Florida)
ImplementElectionDayvoterregistration(EDR)
Implementsamedaychangeofpartyaffiliation(Samedayaselectionday)
Implementvote-by-mailexclusively
Shortenregistrationcloseoutdatetolessthan29days
Openvotecenters
Implementon-linevoting
Implementon-linevoterregistration(Florida)
ContinueEarlyVotinginFlorida(Florida)
MakeElectionDayaholiday
Political
Changetoopenprimaryelectionsystemfromclosedprimaryelection
system
Establishthresholdcriteriaforwrite-incandidatestoqualify
Requireuniversalvotingwhereallregisteredvotersarerequiredtovote
(compulsoryvoting)
Implementandholdanationalprimaryday
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ParticipateinGetOuttheVoteactivities
MonitorVoterIDorotherpotentialvotersuppressioninfluences
Fundelectionspublicly-eliminatecorruptinginfluenceofmoneyinpolitics
Scheduleballotinitiativesduringprimary(notgeneralelections)
CreateIndependentRedistrictingCommission
Educational
Implementandcontinuevoterelectioneducation
Implementvotercivicseducation(Florida)
ImplementBi-partisanPolicyCenterideas
MajorFindingsfromInterviewswithSupervisorsofElectionsandfromLeadersof
PoliticalParties
TheinputfromSupervisorsofElectionswascriticaltothestudyandisincludedbelow:
TheyopposedElectionDayRegistration.(EDR)
Theyhighlightedvote-by-mailandearlyvotingascontributorstohigherturnout.
Theysupportedimplementingvotecenters(ElectionDayportabilitylikeearlyvoting).
Theysawthetopthree(3)contributorstolowvoterturnout:
• Lackofcompetitiveraces;
• Ballotissues;
• Voterapathy.
Theybelievethatthe“write-incandidate”loopholeshouldbeclosed,possiblyby
the2017-2018ConstitutionalRevisionCommissiondeliberations.
TheysupportedElectionDayportabilityofvotingatanylocationwithinthecountyas
doneinearlyvoting.
Theinputfromleadersofbothpoliticalpartiesisincludedbelow:
Leadersfromthepartiessplit50/50insupportoforoppositiontoopenprimaries.
Thoseinoppositioncitedriskofpoliticalmanipulationandalossofpartycontrol.Those
favoringopenprimariesalsocitedpoliticalmanipulationasarisk.Also,seven(7)of15
politicalpartyleadersinterviewedopposedwrite-incandidates.Six(6)leadersfavored
write-incandidates.Two(2)leaderswereneutral.
ElectionInputfromOtherStateLeagueswithDifferentorSameElectionsSystems
Thestudycommitteeselectedsix(6)otherstateleaguestohelpobtaina
representativesampleofdifferentelectiontypes.TheLeagueofWomenVotersofArizona
(LWVAZ)supportsInstantRunoffVoting(IRV).TheLWVofCalifornia(LWVCA)supports
electiontypesthatachieveamajoritywinnerandcitesIRVastheexampleofanelection
systemtheysupport.TheStateofMichiganholdsopenprimaries.TheStateofNewYork
holdsclosedprimariesandtheLeaguetherehastriedunsuccessfullytochangetoanopen
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primaryelectionsystem.PrimaryElectionSystemStudyReportsfromtheLeaguesinOregon
andOhioareforthcoming.
ElectionInputfromtheTwinCities(Minneapolis/St.Paul,Minnesota)andfromPierce
CountyWashington(Tacomaarea)
MinneapolisandSt.PaulconductIRVelections.PierceCountyWashingtontriedIRV
onceandrejecteditduetodissatisfactionwiththeresults.
SurveyofMillennials
Twosurveysofmillennialswereconducted.Thefirstsurveywasaself-selecttype
surveyinwhichindividuals,18-34yearsofage,wereprovidedwithane-maillinktothe
surveyonSurveyMonkey.Thesecondsurveyfeaturedrandomlyselectedtelephone
interviewssponsoredbytheHaasCenter,aResearchandConsultingCenteroftheUniversity
ofWestFlorida.TheHaasCenterusedthesameSurveyMonkeyquestions.Initialresults
fromthesurveyrevealthat,generallyspeaking,millennialsdonotwanttoregisterwitha
politicalparty.Moreover,theywantrealcandidatechoiceinelections.Theyalsofavoropen
primariesandsamedayElectionDayregistrationandElectionDaychangeofpartyaffiliation.
AdditionalfindingswillbeaddedwhenthesurveyiscompletedbytheendofJanuary2017.
BriefPreviewofStudyElements
Sevenelectionsystemswereanalyzedandevaluatedtodifferentiatefactfromopinion
andtocompareeachsystemwiththesevenpre-establishedevaluationcriteria.Twoofthe
sevenelectionsystemswereeliminatedearly.ThePartiallyClosedPrimaryisusedinonly
sevenstates,includingtwocaucusstates.Onlytwoofthepartiallyclosedprimarieshad
slightlyhigherturnoutthanFlorida.Thisprimarytypeisrarelyusedbyapoliticalparty.In
effect,thiselectiontypeisreallyaclosedprimary.ThePartiallyOpenPrimaryisusedinonly
sixstates,includingtwocaucusstates.WhilethreestateshadhigherturnoutthanFlorida,11
of13OpenPrimary(toallvoters)statesprovidedsignificantlygreaterturnout.Fiveelection
systemswereevaluatedindetail:(1)Closed;(2)OpentoUnaffiliatedVoters;(3)Open;(4)
TopTwo;and(5)InstantRunoffVoting(IRV).
Thesevenpre-establishedevaluationcriteriaare:(1)SimpleandEasytoUnderstand;
(2)VerifiableandAuditable;(3)FostersCompetition;(4)MinimizesPoliticalManipulation;
(5)RepresentsDemographics;(6)TechnicallyandFiscallyFeasible;and(7)WinnerAchieves
MajorityVote.
Nooneofthesystemsmetallevaluationcriteria.Additionalanalysisandevaluation
ofClosed,Open,OpentoUnaffiliatedVoters,aswellasTopTwoandIRVarecontainedwithin
theStudyKitandthebodyofthecomprehensivestudy.Similarly,thechartswith
accompanyingexplanationsprovideclarificationsandeffectsonvoterturnoutbyPresidential
PreferencePrimariesandstatecaucuses.Lastly,eachclaimmadeissupportedbyharddata,
orthesourceiscited.
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AsthereaderyouarenowawareofthecontentsoftheExecutiveSummaryandthe
OpenPrimaryStudy.Asacaveat,itisimportantforyoutoknowwhatthisstudydoesnot
contain.Tothebestofourabilitywedeterminedtobecognizantofanyunintendedbiasin
ourstudyandtoeliminateitifandwheniteverappeared.
Wefurtherdeterminedtoupdateourstudywithrelevantinformationfromthe
primaryelectionsystemsstudiescurrentlybeingconductedbytheLeaguesinOregonand
Ohio.TheanticipateddateofcompletionfortheirstudiesisSecondQuarter,2017.
Completenessisastudyaimandwhilethisstudyrepresentsthemostcomprehensiveand
exhaustiveeffortduringa21-monthperiodbythestudyparticipants,thestudycommittee
membersrealizethisisnotthelastorfinalwordregardingthisimportantmatter.Therefore,
wedeterminedtobeopentoadditionalrelevantinformationasitbecomesavailable.The
LeagueofWomenVoters“encouragesinformedandactiveparticipationingovernment…”
Thisstudyfurthersthataspectofitsmission.
LiteratureResearch&AnalysisOfVoterTurnout
FactorsDrivingLowVoterTurnoutinPrimaryElections
Since2000Floridavoterturnoutinprimaryelectionshasaveragedonly22%hittinga
historicallowof17.6%inthe2014mid-termelection.Floridaturnoutismeasuredasballots
castcomparedtoregisteredvoters.GladesCountyhadtheworstturnout(9.3%)in2014.
LibertyCountyhadthebestturnout(49.9%)in2014.(1).SeeFigure#1forturnoutby
selectedcountiesfrom2000to2014.
Myvotedoesn’tcountisafamiliarreasongivenfornotvoting(4)(5)(6).The
examplesbelowdemonstratethepowerofvotingandhoweachvotematters.
▪ The2000PresidentialelectionbetweenGeorgeW.BushandAlGoreresultedin
awinforPresidentBushof537votesandanElectoralCollegevoteof271-266
(1)(6).
▪ The2010and2014Floridagovernor’selectionresultsshowhowimportant
everyvotebecomesincloseraces.In2010RickScottdefeatedAlexSinkby1%
ofvotescast.Scottreceived2,619,335votes.Sinkreceived2,557,785votes.
Thedifferencewas61,550votes;(0.55%)ofregisteredvoters.(1)
▪ The2014Governor’sracebetweenGov.ScottandformerGov.CharlieCrist
yieldedanearlyidenticalresultwithavotemarginof64,145infavorofScott
(0.52%ofregisteredvoters).(1)
What’sontheballotinfluencesvoterturnout?NonprofitVOTE’s“AmericaGoestothe
Polls”in2014citesthreemainreasonsforhigherturnout:(1)Competitiveracesdrawvoters;
(2)ElectionDayRegistration;and(3)voterdemographics.Sevenofthetop10turnoutstates
hadElectionDayregistration.Nineofthetop10turnoutstateshadcompetitiveraces(7).The
SupervisorsofElectionsstatedthatamajorreasonforpoorvoterturnoutiswhatappearson
aballot.(6)Hestatedthatcompetitiveracesandlocalreferendumsmightincreaseturnout.
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Competitivenessandcandidatequalitymatterinprimaryelectionturnout.According
tothePublicPolicyInstituteofCalifornia’s(PPIC)May2014“VoterTurnoutInPrimary
Elections,”onereasonforlowturnoutinaprimaryversusageneralelectionisthedynamics
ofindividualcandidateraces.(8)CommonCauseofOregonanalyzeditshybridprimary
electionturnoutandfoundthatsignificantnumbersofpartisanraceswerenotcompetitive.
Between2002and2008theyfoundthatbetween80and91%ofpartisanprimarieswere
uncontested.CommonCauseconfirmswhatPPICstatesaboutcompetitiveracesdrawing
voterstothepollsbecausevotersmayperceivethattheirvotematters.(9)Floridaprimary
electionresultsfrom2008through2014averaged6.5%competitiveraces.Inadditionover
39%ofelectionsfeaturedunopposedcandidatesorprimaryelectionwinners(1).
Gerrymanderingisanotherpotentialsourceoflowvoterturnout.Thisreasonis
closelytiedtothe“MyVoteDoesn’tCount”reasonforlowturnout.PresidentObamahaswon
electiontwiceyetRepublicanscontrolled241(55%)ofU.S.Houseseatsverses194seatsheld
byDemocrats.OfFlorida’s27U.S.representatives17(63%)arecontrolledbyRepublicans;10
byDemocrats.Additionally,Republicanscontrol79(66%)ofFlorida’s120stateHouse
districtsand25(63%)ofthe40stateSenatedistricts.(1)(10)(11)(12)(13)
Polarization,lackoftrustingovernment,andlackoflegislatorslisteningtovotersis
evidenteverywhereinFlorida’sgovernment.TheFloridaLegislature(Senate)admittedthey
violatedtheconstitutionalamendmentsrequiringfairdistricting.Over63%ofthevoters
approvedredistrictingchangesyettheLegislatureignoredthepeople.(13)TheLegislature
violatedthe2014constitutionalamendment#1requiringasetpercentageofthebudgettobe
appliedtolandandwaterconservation.Seventy-fivepercentofvotersapprovedAmendment
#1(14).ThesameeffectisseenattheCongressionallevel.AccordingtotheBrookings
Institute,“lowturnoutandobscurityinwhichmostcongressionalprimariestakeplacemakes
themaneasy,inexpensiveplaceforfactionswithinapoliticalpartytoexerciseinfluenceand
increasepartisanpolarization.”Brookingsstatesfurtherthat“theopportunityforrepeated
“capture”ofoneorbothpoliticalpartiesbyideologicalvoterswhomovemembersof
Congressfurtherfromafunctionalmiddleisarealthreattothesmoothfunctioningofthe
Americandemocracy”(15).
PovertyinAmericaisaserioussocialissuethatcontributestopeoplemostaffectedby
governmentnotvoting.(15)(16)InaNov.20,2015NewYorkTimesarticle“WhoTurnedMy
BlueStateRed”,theauthorhighlightsthemakeupof“non-voters”.Theyareamongthe
nationspoorest,youngest,ofethnicminorities,andleasteducated.PEWResearchconducteda
surveyof2,000adultsinOctober2014.Theyfoundthat“nearlyhalfofnonvoters(46%)have
familyincomeslessthan$30,000,comparedwith19%oflikelyvoters.Mostnon-voters
(54%)havenotattendedcollege;72%oflikelyvotershavecompletedatleastsomecollege.”
AccordingtotheU.S.CensusBureau,over16%ofFloridiansareinpoverty.(17)Thesenonvotershavetunedouttothepoliticalprocess.
Timingofprimaryelectionsmaylowerturnout.Floridaprimaryelectionsaretypically
heldinAugust.FloridaPresidentialPrimariesarenowheldinMarchinawinnertakeall
election.AugustprimariesfallinprimevacationtimepriortoLaborDay.(1)PacificStandard,
anon-profit,inamagazinearticleonanationalprimary(18)makesthecasethat“fewvoters
evenknowwhentheirprimaryelectionisheldgiventhatprimariesrunfromFebruary
throughSeptember”.PacificStandardworkswithnationalorganizationsfocusedonthesocial
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andbehavioralsciencesbringingpublicdiscussionstoliveaudiences.
Voterturnoutdropssignificantlyinnon-PresidentialyearscomparedtoPresidential
primaries.AccordingtotheBrookingsInstituteCenterforEffectivePublicManagement
“midtermelectionsvotingdropsprecipitouslycomparedtopresidentialelections”.Asan
example,fromthe2008Presidentialelectiontothe2010midtermelection21percentofthe
electoratedisappearedintheprimary.(15)
Votingisalearnedbehaviorthatincludescivicseducationandparentalexample.In
2012theEducationalTestingService(ETS)published“FaultLinesInOurDemocracyCivic
Knowledge,VotingBehavior,andCivicEngagementintheUnitedStates”(19).Theirresearch
highlightsagrowing“civicsempowermentgap”asevidencedbyvotingrates.Highschool
votingagedropoutsexhibitedavotingrateof3.5%whilewell-offadvanceddegreevoters
fromages16to64exhibitedaturnoutof80.5%.IntheETS2010NationalAssessmentof
EducationalProgressonly25%of8thand12thgradersscored“Proficient”.Thestudyalso
highlightstheroleofparentsinencouragingvoting.ACenterforLaborMarketstudyofthe
2010electionshowedthat18-19year-oldsweremuchmorelikelytovoteifaparentvoted
thannot(32%versus4%).
FranklinandCampbellinReportImprovingVoterRegistrationputoutbyCommon
Causeagreeontheroleofyoungpeopleinturnoutdeclinesandthevalueoffacilitating
developmentofsocialnormsthatencourageyouthtodevelopthehabitofvoting.Campbell’s
focusisonimprovingtheeffectivenessofschoolsinbuildingcommunitynormsforpolitical
participation,includingvoting.“Thechallengeistobuildthatsenseof“we”withinourschools
inordertonurturecivicnorms,includingtheencouragementofvotingasacivicobligation.”
Nurturingvotingasasocialexpectationandhabitonthepartofyoungpeoplecantaketime.
“Thetransitionbetweenunengagedandestablished[votinghabits]appearstohappenduring
thefirstthreeelectionsthatpeopleareexposedtoasvoting-ageadults.”
PotentialVoterTurnoutImprovements
Justastherearevariousreasonsforlowvoterturnout,stateshaveimplemented
changestoincreaseturnout.Somemeasureshaveachievedmodestsuccesswhileothers
claimtoimproveturnoutbutlackempiricalevidence.Becausethedemocraticprocessof
electingcandidatesforofficeissocomplex,attributingimprovementinturnouttoasingle
methodisnearlyimpossible.Table#1belowsummarizesmethodsemployedelsewhereand
anassessmentofpotentialsuccessofeachmethodforFlorida.WhereFloridasharesan
implementationmethodwithotherstates,onlyFloridaislisted.Allofthemethodsinuseby
FloridaaregivenaNOassessmentbecausetheyhaveshownnoidentifiableimprovementin
turnout.AssessmentsofToBeDetermined(TBD)indicatethereispotentialvoterturnout
improvementbutinsufficientevidenceexistsgenerallybecausethemethodhasbeeninplace
forashorttime.Solutionsinboldtextindicatepotentialpositiveimpactonvoterturnout
basedonotherstatesuccesses.
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Table#1–PotentialVoterTurnoutSolutions
TurnoutMethod
1-CombinedMotor-VoterRegistration
2-Pre-registeratage16
3-AutomaticRegistrationatage18
Implementation
Assessment
Yes
No
Florida&Others
X
Florida
X
California,Oregon+
TBD
3others
4-ElectionDayRegistration&partyaffiliation 11States
X
5-VoteByMailExclusively
Oregon+2others
X
6-VotingOn-Line
None
X
7-EarlyVoting
Florida&Others
X
8-ElectionDayHoliday
SenateBill1969
X
9-VoteCenter(PortableElectionDayVoting 11States
TBD
10-VoterElectionEducation
Florida
X
11-SOEtoVoterReminders
Florida
X
12-VoterCivicsEducation
SOE’s,LWVF
X
13-BallotInitiativesinPrimaryElection
24States&DC
TBD
14-NationalPrimaryDay
SeeNote#14
TBD
15-GetOutTheVote
Nation-wide
X
16-SmallCountyCivicDuty
FloridaCounties
X
17–SelectedBipartisanPolicyCenter
SeeNote#17below
X
recommendations
18–VoterIDInfluence
SeeNote#18
TBD 19–IndependentRedistrictingCommission
SeeNote#19
TBD 20–EliminatecorruptinginfluenceofMoneyin SeeNote#20
X
Politics
21–Universal(mandatory)voting
SeeNote#21
X
22–OpenPrimary
SeeNote#22
X
23–Write-InCandidatethresholdcriteria
SeeNote#23
X
Notes#1,2,7,10-11–AllofthesemethodsimplementedinFloridahavebeen
unsuccessfulinraisingvoterturnout.Theyshouldremaininplacebecausecoupledwith
othernewmethodscancontributetoincreasedturnout.
Note#3–TheBrennanCenterforJusticehasadvocatedforautomatic,permanent
voterregistrationatage18whenanindividualinteractswithagovernmentagency.
California(September2015)andOregon(January2016implemented)arethefirststatesto
implementautomaticvoterregistration.(20)TheBrennanCenteroutlinesfourstepsto
implementthismethod.
• First,itrequiresstatestoadoptelectronicsystemsandtakeresponsibilityfor
registeringcitizenssotheyareautomaticallyaddedtothevoterrollswhenthey
interactwithgovernmentagencies.
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• Second,itmakessurethatoncecitizensaresignedup,theyremainregisteredwhen
theymovewithintheirstates.
• Third,itallowscitizenstoregistertovoteonline.
• Finally,itgivespeopletheopportunitytoregisterorupdatetheirinformationatthe
polls.
NationwidenearlyeverystateandtheDistrictofColumbiahavependinglegislationto
implementautomatic,permanentvoterregistration.Floridahasapprovedonlineregistration
buthasnotenactedautomaticregistration.Gettingpeopleregisteredtovoteisonestepinthe
rightdirection.Itmustbecoupledwithothermethodstoactuallyachieveincreasedturnout
duetothemyriadofreasonsforlowturnout.
Note#4–ElectionDayvoterregistrationexistsin13statesandtheDistrictof
ColumbiaaccordingtotheNationalConferenceofStateLegislatures(NCSL)(21).California
andHawaiiwillbeaddedin2017-2018.FloridahasnotimplementedElectionDay
registration.Inthe2014election7ofthe10highestturnoutstatesfeaturedElectionDay
registration(Table#3)(7).Seven(7)ofthethirteen(13)SOE’sinterviewedinFloridadid
NOTthinkthatsamedayregistrationwouldincreaseturnout.Five(5)SOE’sthoughtastudy
wasneeded.OnlyoneSOEindicatedthattheythoughtElectionDayvoterregistrationwould
increasevoterturnout.
Note#5–Exclusivevotebymailexistsinthreestates(22):Oregon,Washington,and
Colorado.ColoradoandOregonwereamongthetop10turnoutstatesinthe2014
election.WashingtonStatewas#18inturnout.A2007studybyWashingtonshowedthat
turnoutincreasedby5percent.Floridaand19otherstateshavevotebymailbutitisnotthe
onlywaytovote.Duringthe2016primaryandgeneralelectioninFloridaalargepercentage
ofpeoplevotedearlyatvotingcenters.
Note#6–OnlineVotingisanotherimportantstepinmakingiteasierforvoters.
However,securityexpertsgenerallyagreethatitisalmostimpossibletopreventhackingofan
individual’scomputerorsmart-phone.Theypointoutthatverifiablevotingisdifferentthan
onlinebankingbecauseapersoncanverifyabankingtransactionviabankstatement.Dueto
therequirementforvotingsecrecythereisapparentlynowayforavotertoverifytheirvote
wasrecordedproperly.VerifiedVotingfounderDavidDill,aStanfordUniversitycomputer
securityexpertstated(23)
“Electionresultsmustbeverifiablyaccurate—thatis,auditablewithapermanent,
voter-verifiedrecordthatisindependentofhardwareorsoftware.Severalserious,
potentiallyinsurmountable,technicalchallengesmustbemetifelectionsconductedby
transmittingvotesovertheInternetaretobeverifiable.”
Dillalsostates“MypositionisthatInternetvotingwillbetrustworthyatsomepoint,but
wedon'tknowhowtodoitnow."(23)AccordingtotheMilitaryVotersProtectionProject,in
2008only20percentofthe2.5millionmilitaryvoterswereabletorequestandreturntheir
absenteeballotsontime.Thetrackrecordforusingabsenteeballotsforoverseasmilitaryand
othergovernmentpersonnelhasbeenpoor.Internetvotingoffersapotentialbetterturnout
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
fortheseAmericans.(24)Asvariouspilotprogramsareexaminedandnewonesare
conductedthetechnologywillhaveachancetomature.DigitalTrends(DT)(25)providesa
technicalinsighttothebarrierstoimplementingonlinevoting,butgenerallyagreeswithDr.
Dill.Inaddition,DTpointsoutthatthereareover4,600votingjurisdictionsinthecountry.
Onesizefitsallequipmentandprocessesareunlikely.Estoniahasimplementedonlinevoting
since2003.Itisaverysmallcountryandprovidesallvoterswithsmartcardsandtheability
toreadthemoncomputers.OurgovernmenthasrefusedtoadoptanationalIDforother
purposes.
Note#8–ElectionDayasaholidayseemssosimpletoimplement.WhyisElection
DaythefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMondayinNovember?Thereasonisalawpassedin1872.
Saturdayswereworkdays.Sundayswereforchurch.IntheAtlanticMagazine’sOctober1998
issue(26)theysuggestedmakingElectionDayaholidayortomergeVeteran’sDayand
ElectionDayintotheholiday.U.S.Sen.BernieSandersintroduced“TheDemocracyDayActof
2015”(S:1969)toestablishthecurrentElectionDayasafederalholiday.Itdidnotbecome
law.(27)Withearlyvotingandvotingbymail,afederalholidaymaynotmakeasignificant
contributiontoincreasedvoterturnout.
Note#9–VoteCenterscouldreplaceprecinctvotingandallowvoterstogotoany
center.Thecenterswouldbeplacedinhightrafficareasnearhomes,schools,workplace,etc.
Voterswouldnolongerhavetorememberwheretheirpollingprecinctwaslocated.With
Internetconnectivityandportable“electronicpollbooks”electionworkerscanverifyvoter
registration,printthecorrectballot,andconfirmthatavoterhadnotvotedelsewhere(28).
TheNationalConferenceofStateLegislatures(NCSL)liststhreeadvantages:Convenience,
costreduction,andincreasedvoterturnout.TheNCSLalsohighlightsfourpotentialissues:
lossoftradition,votereducation,equipment,andtechnology.Noneoftheissuesappeartobe
insurmountable.However,eachstatewouldhavetoweighthecosttoimplementversusthe
costreductionofeliminatingprecinctsandtheneedforpollworkers.Since200311states
haveimplementedvotecenters.Variousstudiesofturnoutyieldedmixedresults.According
toNCSL,statesthatalreadyhaveotherconveniencevotingoptionssuchasvote-by-mailand
earlyvoting,votecentersmaycontributelittletoincreasedturnout(29).
Note#12–“Civicknowledgeisacornerstoneofastrongdemocracy.”Votingpatterns
intheUScauseconcernforthefutureofDemocracy.WilliamGalston,SeniorFellowatthe
BrookingsInstitute,offersthefollowingattributesthatcanleadtoincreasedvoterturnout.
(19)
•
•
•
“Civicknowledgepromotessupportfordemocraticvalues.Themoreknowledgewe
haveoftheworkingofgovernment,themorelikelywearetosupportthecorevalues
ofdemocraticself-government,startingwithtolerance.
Civicknowledgepromotespoliticalparticipation.Allotherthingsbeingequal,the
moreknowledgepeoplehave,themorelikelytheyaretoparticipateincivicand
politicalaffairs.
Themoreknowledgewehaveofcivicaffairs,thelesslikelywearetohavea
generalizedmistrustandfearofpubliclife.Ignoranceisthefatheroffear,and
knowledgeisthemotheroftrust.
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
•
Civicknowledgecanalteropinionsonspecificissues.Forexample,themorecivic
knowledgepeoplehave,thelesslikelytheyaretofearnewimmigrantsandtheir
impactonourcountry.”
Thereismuchthatcanbedonetoimproveourcollectivecivicknowledge.Inthe
EducationalTestingServicereport“FaultLinesInOurDemocracy”summarizesthefollowing
stepsthatmustbetakenifwearetoimprovevoterturnout(19).
•
“Reducehighschooldropoutrates,
•
ImproveK–12civicscurriculum,
•
Helpstudentsconstructmoreempoweringcivicnarratives,
•
Infusemoreexperiential(hands-on)civicseducationintothecurriculum,
•
Providepowerfulciviclearningandengagementopportunitiesforurbanteachers
•
Encouragehighschoolstudentstopre-registerforvotinginthenextelection
•
Continueciviceducationintocollegeandprovideopportunitiesforcommunity
servicepriortograduation
•
Engageparentstoprovideciviceducationoftheirchildrenbeyondwhattheylearnin
school
•
Revamptheadulteducationsystemtoimprovecitizenshipskillsandcivicbehavior
WendyUnderhilloftheNationalConferenceofStateLegislatureshighlightsthreekeysteps
invotereducationthatmustnotbeassumedtobecommonknowledge.(30)First,give
peoplethebasicsofwhereandwhentovote.Intoday’ssocialmediaworld,multiplemethods
mustbeused.Second,don’tassumepeopleknowhowtovote.Equipmentandtheballotcan
beconfusingandfrustratingforfirsttimevoters.Third,focusongettingpeopletowantto
vote.Thewholepurposeofciviceducationistoengagewithprospectivevoterstohelpthem
understandtheimportanceofvotingandtheunintendedconsequencesoflettingothers
choosetheelectedofficialsthatcanhaveaverydirectinfluenceonavoter’sdailylife.
Note#13–Useoftheballotinitiativeprocesscanleadtoincreasedvoterturnout.
KentStateUniversityconductedanextensivestudyofstateswithnoinitiativeprocessversus
thosethatincludetheinitiativeprocess.(31)Intheirstudytheinitiativeprocessincludes
bothconstitutionalamendmentsandlegislation.Floridahasonlyimplementedthe
constitutionalamendmentprocess.Thestudymodeledall50statesfrom1970–1996
examining26stateswithnoinitiativeprocesscomparedtoinitiativestates.Theresultsshow,
formid-termelectionyears,anapproximate10%increaseinvoterturnoutofinitiativebased
statescomparedtonon-initiativestates.BecausePresidentialelectionyearsare
characterizedashighinformation,thegapbetweennon-initiativeandinitiativebasedstates
decreasestoanapproximate5%gapinturnout.SinceFloridadoesnotusethelegislative
aspectofinitiativebasedballotsthereappearstobeapotentialforimprovedvoterturnout
especiallyinmidtermelections.
Note#14–NationalPrimaryDay:ElaineKamarck,foundingdirectoroftheCenterfor
EffectivePublicManagement,states,“thebestwaytolessenpoliticalpolarizationandincrease
voterturnoutistoestablishanationalprimaryday.”Candidates,voters,andthemediawill
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focusonthatdaydrawingattentionthatisotherwiseignoredunderthepresentsystem.
(15)(32)
Note#15–GetOutTheVoteinvolvesbothstrategicandtacticalmethodstogetvoters
toturnout.TheBrookingsInstitutehaspublishedabooktitled“GetOutTheVote;HowTo
IncreaseTurnout”thatisavailableforpurchaseviaAmazonandassuchiscopyrighted.NonProfitVotehighlightssevenprinciplesforgettingoutthevote:(1)MakeItPersonal;(2)Make
itEasy;(3)RaisingtheStakes;(4)CompetitionCounts;(5)TimingisEverything;(6)Picture
It;(7)ThePowerofPositivity(33).Personalcontactprovidesthebestopportunitytoengage
peopletoregisterandvote.
Note#16–SmallFloridacountiesexhibitedsignificantlyhigherturnoutthanlarge
countiesfrom2000through2014.Thirteensmall(Lessthan12,000registeredvoters)Florida
countiesaveragedover40%turnoutinprimaryelectionsfrom2000-2014(Figure#1)(3).
Twelveofthelargestcountiesaveragedbarely20%duringthesameperiod.SOEinterviews
offivesmallcountieshighlightedunanimousagreementthatthevotersbelievevotingistheir
civicduty.SOE’scommentedthatvotersknewoneanother,knewthecandidates,andactively
supportedcandidatesforoffice.Thequestionbecomesoneofhowdoorhowcanmediumto
largecountiesreplicatethesuccessesofsmallcounties?
Note#17–ImplementBipartisanPolicyCenter(BPC)2013CommissiononPolitical
Reformrecommendations.TherecommendationsbelowareasubsetofBPCs
recommendationsthatmayhaveadirectbearingonincreasedvoterturnout(34).Oneofthe
reasonsforlowvoterturnoutispolarizationandmistrustofgovernment.TheCommission
recommendsthefollowingelectoralreforminitiatives:
• “Adoptnonpartisanredistrictingcommissionstoaddressgerrymandering
• Moveawayfromlowturnoutcaucusandconventioncandidateselection
• AdoptanationalprimarydayinJuneofelectionyears
• Dramaticallystrengthenopportunitiestoregistertovote
• Passlegislationtorequiredisclosureofallsourcesoffunding”
AnothermajorareaofBPC’srecommendationsisa“CallToService”.TheCommission
onPoliticalReformrecommendsthefollowing:
• “AllAmericansages18to28shouldcommittoonefullyearofservicetotheir
communitiesandthenationviamilitaryservice,AmeriCorps,orPeaceCorps
• Collegesanduniversitiesshouldreaffirmtheirmissionstodevelopengagedandactive
citizens
• Schoolsshouldrefocusontheiroriginalcivicmissionstoprovidethecorevalues,
knowledge,andideasfromU.S.historyinciviclearning
• Presidentialadministrationsshouldopenpoliticalappointmentstothewidestpossible
poolofapplicants.
• TheFederalandstategovernmentsmustprovidetheresourcestoimplement
programs.”
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Note#18–VoterIDinfluenceonturnouthasasmallnetpositiveeffectaccordingto
researchdocumentedintheNovember2014ElectionLawJournalarticle“TheEffectsofVoter
IDNotificationonVoterTurnout:ResultsfromaLarge-ScaleFieldExperiment”(35).Thestudy
focusedonlowpropensityvotersinTennessee/VirginiaborderareaandKnoxville,TNand
Roanoke,VA.Thestudyindicateda1%increaseinvoterturnoutduetotheexperiment’s
processofnotifyingvotersofachangeinVoterIDlawsthatrequiredshowingacceptedvoter
IDformsofidentificationwhentheyvoted.Theauthorswarnedthattheirresultwasnot
statisticallysignificantandwarrantedfurtherstudyinotherareasofthecountry.
TheGeneralAccountingOfficeReport14-464“IssuesRelatedtoStateVoter
IdentificationLaws“(36)publishedinOctober2014foundcontradictoryresultscomparedto
theElectionLawJournalfindings.VoterIDissuesinTennesseeandKansasaccountedfora23%decreaseinvoterturnoutinthe2012electioncomparedtoacontrolgroupofAlabama,
Arkansas,Delaware,andMaine.ItshouldbenotedthattheSecretariesofStatefromArkansas,
KansasandTennesseedisagreedwiththeGAO’sselectioncriteriaforpickingthestatesinthis
analysis.
AstheElectionLawJournalstudyauthorsstatedintheirstudy,theirworkneedstobe
replicatedinotherareasofthecountry.TheElectionLawJournalandtheGAOReportfindings
demonstratehowsensitiveresultscanbebasedonstudymethodologyandvotergroups
selectedforstudy.
Note#19–CreateanIndependentRedistrictingCommission.OnJune29,2015,the
U.S.SupremeCourtissueditsrulinginArizonaStateLegislaturev.ArizonaIndependent
RedistrictingCommission.Ina5-4decision,thecourtaffirmedthedistrictcourt'sdecision,
findingthattheredistrictingcommissioncreatedbyArizona’svotersviaballotinitiativein
2000doesnotviolatetheU.S.Constitution’sElectionsClause(12).WhileFloridadoesn’thave
aredistrictingcommission,theArizonadecisionstrengthensthecaseforredistrictingatthe
statelevel.
Theeffectsofgerrymanderingmaybereducedbyrecent2016FloridaSupremecourt
decisionsbutadditionalelectionsareneededtoassesstheeffectsofredrawndistricts.
Additionally,the2020Censusisrapidlyapproaching
Note#20–TheeffectofMoneyinPolitics(MIP)hasbeenwrittenaboutextensively
andvariousproposedchangesincampaignfinancinghavebeenproposed.DealingwithMIP
isbeyondthescopeoftheOpenPrimarystudy.ForacompletetreatmentofMoneyInPolitics
TheLeagueOfWomenVotersU.S.hascompletedanation-widestudyofMoneyinPolitics.
Note#21–Universalorcompulsoryvoting(37)hasbeenusedinAustraliasince1914.
WilliamGalstonandE.J.Dionne,seniorfellowsoftheBrookingsInstitute,believecompulsory
votingwouldimproveturnout,engagemorevotersinourdemocraticprocess,reduce
polarizationandpromotecompetitionforoffice.SinceAustraliainitiatedcompulsoryvoting
turnouttherehasneverbeenturnoutlowerthan90%asaresult.StephenL.Carter,a
BloombergViewcolumnistandprofessoroflawatYaleUniversity,suggeststhatvoting
shouldnotbemandatory-thatvotershavea“right”nottovote.Heisanonvoter.
Note#22–SeveralstateshaveopenstyleprimaryelectionscomparedtoFlorida’s
closedprimary(AppendixA)(38).Openisamisleadingtermandthosestateslistedasopen
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
styleprimarystateshavedifferingrulesforwhocanvoteintheirpartyprimaries.These
primariesfeatureballotsofmajorpartiesthatavotermustchoosefromtovote.Trulyopen
primariesarenon-partisaninthattheyplaceallcandidatesonasingleballotthatallvoters
(regardlessofpartyaffiliationorlackof)accesstovote.TopTwoandInstantRunoffVoting
electionsarenonpartisanopenelections.Florida’sclosedprimaryonlyallowsvoters
registeredwithamajorpartytovoteunlessitisanonpartisanrace.
Note#23–AccordingtotheFloridaConstitution(ArticleVI,SectionV),whenall
candidatesinaraceareofthesamepartyaffiliation,allregisteredvotersareeligibletovotein
thatprimary.ThisisknowninFloridaasaUniversalPrimary.FloridaStatutesstate,
“(4)(a) Eachpersonseekingtoqualifyforelectiontoofficeasawrite-incandidateshallfile
hisorherqualificationpaperswiththerespectivequalifyingofficeratanytimeafternoonof
the1stdayforqualifying,butnotlaterthannoonofthelastdayofthequalifyingperiodfor
theofficesought.“(39)
Ifawriteincandidatequalifiestobeontheballot,the“samepartyaffiliation”
UniversalPrimarybecomesaClosedPrimary.Onlyregisteredpartymembersforthatparty
mayvote.Thewrite-incandidatelinedoesnotappearontheprimaryballotandisnotvoted
onuntilthegeneralelection.Writeincandidatesarenotrequiredtospecifyapartyaffiliation
(orpayapartyassessment),nordotheyhavetopayafilingfeeorpayanelectionassessment.
Writeincandidatesarenotrequiredtofilepetitionssignedbyvoters.SOE’ssurveyedstated
thatwrite-incandidatesoftendropoutthedayaftertheprimaryelection,butthelinefor
voterstowrite-intheirnameremainsonthegeneralelectionballot.SomePartyLeaders
surveyedopenlyindicatedthattheyhadusedwrite-incandidatestocloseprimariesandallow
onlytheirpartymemberstovoteintheprimaryelection.Forexample,inPalmBeachCounty,
acandidaterunningforcommissionerrecruitedhermothertorunasawriteincandidate,
therebyclosingtheprimary.
Partycandidateswhosenamesappearontheballotmustpayfeesorcollecthundreds
ofsignatures.Write-insarerequiredonlytofilloutsomepaperwork.Theyfacefewpenalties
forignoringcampaignfinancelawsbecausefinesarebasedonapercentageofmoneyraised.
Mostwrite-insraisenothing.Inthe2016FloridaPrimary,write-incandidatesexcludedfull
voterparticipationinsixSenatedistrictsand14HousedistrictsontheAug.30primaryballot,
disenfranchising1.6millionvoters.Shrinkingthevoterpoolallowscandidatestotailor
messagestotheextremes:themostconservativeormostliberalvotersintheirparty.The
resultcouldmeanmorelawmakersatthefarendsofthepoliticalspectrum.
CommonCauseAssessmentof2014FloridaElections(40)CommonCauserated
Floridaon18-electionfactorsrelatedtoelection-administrationandvoterturnout.Florida
receivedninesatisfactoryratingsandfivemixedratings.Theremainingthreefactorswere
ratedunsatisfactory.Oneoftheunsatisfactoryratingshasbeenaddressedwithonline
registrationstartingin2017.EstablishingVoteCenterswasratedunsatisfactory.
Additionally,FloridaisnotamemberoftheElectronicRegistrationInformationCenter(ERIC)
preventinginterstatesharingofvoterdata.
VoterTurnoutComparisons:AppendixB(Figure#1)comparessmallvslargecounty
turnout(1).Figures#2through7provideacomparisonofFloridavoterturnouttootherstate
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primarytypesbasedonDrMikeMcDonald’sUSElectionsProjectdata(41).Accordingtoan
October2012BipartisanPolicyCenterwhitepaper(2),“...theinescapableconclusiontobe
drawnfromthepreponderanceofthedataisthatopenandpartiallyopenprimarieshave
modestlyhigherturnoutthanclosedprimaries.”However,the2013BipartisanPolicyCenter
DemocracyProjectarticle“WhyPeopleDon’tVote”highlightsthecomplexityoffixingvoter
turnout(2).Theyfoundin2012electionsseveralreasonsforlowturnoutthatcannotbefixed
viaelectionpolicychanges.
Alternative Election Systems Analyses
Thissectiondocumentsadetailedanalysisofselectedelectiontypes(AppendixA)(38)
todetermineifvoterturnoutcanbeimprovedbyreplacingthecurrentclosedprimarywith
anothertype.MultiplestateleagueshaveanalyzedprimaryelectiontypesfromaPRO/CON
perspective.ThisanalysisexaminesprimaryelectionsfromaFACTversusExpertOPINION
basis.TheVoterTurnoutAnalysissectionofthisreportinvestigatedreasonsforlowvoter
turnoutandpossiblesolutionstoimproveturnout.Changingtheelectionsystemisoneofthe
potentialsolutionstoimprovingturnout.
ElectionSystemEvaluationCriteria(42)
Atthebeginningofthestudy,otherstateLeaguestudieswerereviewedtoassistin
establishingevaluationcriteriatoapplytoeachprimarytype.Inaddition,weconsideredthe
ImpossibilityTheorembyDr.KennethArrow(43).Heisrenownedforthedevelopmentofthe
theoremwithintheareaofvotingtheory.In1972,histheoremmadehimtheyoungestperson
evertobeawardedtheNobelPrizeineconomics.Histheorempostulatesthatnosingle
electionsystemmeetsallcriteria.Therearetradeoffsandconsequences.Therearechoicesto
bemade:Whatismostimportant?Whatislessimportant?Thestatestudycommitteechose
thefollowingcriteria.
• Majorityrule–Doesthesystemachieveelectionresultsdeterminedbyalarge
percentageofvotescast?Inclosedprimariesyouaresignificantlyreducingthenumber
ofvotescast.TopTwoandIRVbydesignleadtoaneventualhead-to-headcompetition
tochooseamajoritywinner.TopTworealizesamajoritywinnerinthegeneral
election.IRVachievesamajoritywinnerbycountingonlyvotescastinaroundwherea
candidateachieves50%+1votes
• CompetitiveElections–Doesthesystemencouragenon-biased,competitiveelections
inwhichfewercandidatesrununopposed?Fairandcompetitiveelectionsarecritical
toaddressingandmeetingtheneedsofFloridians.Acompetitiveelectionperexperts
isdefinedasamarginof10%orlessbetweenthewinnerandlosers.
• Representationthatreflectscommunitydemographics–Doesthesystemworkto
ensurethatFlorida’sdiversepopulation?Latinosmakeup14.9%ofthestate’s12
millionactiveregisteredvotersandAfricanAmericansrepresent13.3%ofregistered
voters)isrepresented?Anybarrierstopreventcertainsegmentsofthepopulation
fromvotingneedtoberemoved.
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•
•
•
•
Beverifiableandauditable–Doestheprocessprovideamechanismforelection
resultstobeverifiableauditable?Forvoterstotrusttheelectionsprocess,ballots
mustberecordedandretrievableforahandrecountsincloseraces.
Besimpleandeasyforvoterstounderstand–Istheprocesssimpleandeasyfor
voterstounderstand?Aclosedprimaryistheleastcomplextounderstandandismost
familiartoFloridavoters.Otherelectionsystemsmayrequireeducationtohelpvoters
understandtheeffectsoftheircandidatechoices
Minimizepoliticalmanipulation–Doesthesystemminimizepoliticalmanipulation?
Withover12millionregisteredvotersinFlorida,thevotingprocessshouldbesimple
andstraightforward.Selectedelectiontypesmayeliminatemanipulation.Universal
Primariesarecurrentlyvulnerabletothewrite-inloophole.SeeFloridaConstitution
ArticleVISection5(b).
Betechnicallyandfiscallyfeasibletoimplement–Isthesystemtechnicallyand
fiscallyfeasibletoimplement?Alloftheelectionsystemsbeinganalyzedhavebeenin
useintheUnitedStates.Dependingontheequipmentinuseandtheelectionsystem
beingimplementedtherecanbeequipment,software,educationandmaintenance
costs
AnalysisofSpecificPrimaryElectionSystems
Thefollowingparagraphsexamineeachelectionsystembasedonanassessmentof
statementsasfactorexpertopinion.Toqualifyasafact,aqualifiedsourcemustconfirmthe
assessment.(AppendixC).Universitystudies,non-profitnon-partisaninstitutionalresearch,
articlesandbookswrittenbyacknowledgedexperts,andinterviewsofexpertsareexamples
ofqualifiedsources.Afterfactsandexpertopinionswereestablishedeachelectiontypewas
comparedtothestudyevaluationcriteria
ClosedPrimaryIngeneral,avoterseekingtovoteinaclosedprimarymustfirstbea
registeredpartymember.Typically,thevoteraffiliateswithapartyonhisorhervoter
registrationapplication.Thissystemdeters“cross-over”votingbymembersofother
parties.Independentorunaffiliatedvoters,bydefinition,areexcludedfromparticipating
inthepartynominationcontests.
Delaware
Nevada
Pennsylvania
Florida
NewMexico
Kentucky
NewYork
Maryland
Oregon*
Facts
AccordingtotheNCSL(38)andFloridaDivisionofElections(1)(44)politicalparties
choosetheirnomineetocompeteingeneralelection.Votersmustberegistered
membersofthepartyholdingtheprimary.
*Oregonconsidersitselfapartiallyclosedprimarywherethepartycanchoosetoopen
theirprimarytounaffiliatedvoters.OregonstatuteChapter254section254.365
requiresamajorpartytodeclaretheirprimaryopen90dayspriortoelectionday
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Politicalpartynomineeguaranteedaplaceonthegeneralelectionballot(1)(38)(44)
3.4MillionNPAandminorpartyvoterscannotvoteinaclosedprimary(1)(38)(44)
Taxpayerspayforprivatepartyprimariestheycan’tparticipateinunlessregisteringina
party(!)(44)
AccordingtoNCSLclosedprimariesgenerallycontributetoastrongpartyorganization.
FloridaDivisionofElectionsdatashowsaverageturnoutfrom2000–2016=<23%
NPAvotersandMinorpartiescanparticipateinGeneralElection(1)(38)
71%of2012openprimarieshadhigherturnoutthanFlorida(USElectionsProject)(41)
76%of2016openprimarieshadhigherturnoutthanFlorida(USElectionsProject)(41)
ExpertOpinions
AccordingtoFloridaDivisionofElectionsdata(2008-2014)lessthan7percentof
electionsarecompetitiveminimizingcompetitionforincumbentseats(45)
Continuesspoilereffectingeneralelection;(2014ElectionScottversusCristversus
AdrianWyllie)
OpentoUnaffiliatedVotersPrimaryAnumberofstatesallowonlyunaffiliatedvoters
toparticipateinanypartyprimarytheychoose,butdonotallowvoterswhoare
registeredwithonepartytovoteinanotherparty’sprimary.Thissystemdiffersfroma
trueopenprimarybecauseaDemocratcannotcrossoverandvoteinaRepublicanparty
primary,orviceversa.Someofthesestates,suchasColoradoandNewHampshire,
requirethatunaffiliatedvotersdeclareaffiliationwithapartyatthepollsinorderto
voteinthatparty’sprimary.(NCSL)(38)
Arizona
Massachusetts
WestVirginia
Colorado
NewHampshire
Kansas
NewJersey
Maine
RhodeIsland
Facts
9statesfeaturethisprimarytype(38)NCSL
Requiresavotertoselectapartyballot(38)NCSL
Excludesmembersofotherparties(345,000registeredvoters)(1)(38)
Includes3.1millionNPAvoters(1)(38)
Doesnotallowcrossovervotingbycontest(38)
Over70%ofMillennialsfavoranopenprimarythatallowsvoterstoselectcandidates
regardlessofpartyaffiliation(AppendixD)
ExpertOpinions
TheCenterforElectionSciencestatesthatpartiallyopenprimariesdon’tgetattheissue,
whichisvotersdon’thaverealchoicesinthegeneralelection,andtheydon’thavean
effectivemeansofvotingbecauseweusepluralityvoting.
34%ofMillennialsthatrespondedtowhytheyselectedNPAsaidtheydidn’twanttojoin
aparty.54%saidtheywantedtochooseanycandidate(AppendixD)
OpenPrimaryIngeneral,butnotalways,statesthatdonotaskvoterstochooseparties
onthevoterregistrationformare“openprimary”states.Inanopenprimary,votersmay
chooseprivatelyinwhichprimarytovote.Inotherwords,votersmaychoosewhich
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party’sballottovote,butthisdecisionisprivateanddoesnotregisterthevoterwiththat
party.Thispermitsavotertocastavoteacrosspartylinesfortheprimaryelection.
Alabama
Michigan
Montana
Vermont
Arkansas
Minnesota
NorthDakota
Virginia
Georgia
Mississippi
SouthCarolina
Wisconsin
Hawaii
Missouri
Texas
Facts
15statesfeatureopenprimaries(38)
Requiresselectionofapartyballot(38)
AccordingtoNCSLvotersmaychoosewhichprimarytovoteinprivately.Theballot
choicedoesnotregisterthevoterwiththeparty.(38)
Doesnotallowcrossovervotingbycontest(38)
Over70%ofMillennialsfavoranopenprimarythatallowsvoterstoselectcandidates
regardlessofpartyaffiliation(AppendixD)
BasedontheNCSLdefinitionofanOpenPrimarythiselectiontypesupportsuseina
presidentialprimarygiventhatallvotersmayparticipate.(38)
ExpertOpinions
CenterforElectionSciencestatesthatopenprimariesdon’tgetattheissue,whichis
votersdon’thaverealchoicesinthegeneralelection,andtheydon’thaveaneffective
meansofvotingbecauseweusepluralityvoting
Criticsarguethattheopenprimarydilutestheparties’abilitytonominate.
Supporterssaythissystemgivesvotersmaximalflexibility—allowingthemtocross
partylines—andmaintainstheirprivacy
TopTwoOpenPrimary(38)The“toptwo”formatusesacommonballot,listingall
candidatesonthesameballot.InCaliforniaandLouisiana,eachcandidatelistshisorher
partyaffiliation,whereasinWashington,eachcandidateisauthorizedtolistaparty
“preference.”Thetoptwovotegettersineachrace,regardlessofparty,advancetothe
generalelection.Advocatesofthe"top-two"formatarguethatitincreasesthelikelihood
ofmoderatecandidatesadvancingtothegeneralelectionballot.Opponentsmaintain
thatitreducesvoterchoicebymakingitpossiblefortwocandidatesofthesamepartyto
faceoffinthegeneralelection.Theyalsocontendthatitistiltedagainstminorparties
whowillfaceslimoddsofearningoneofonlytwospotsonthegeneralelectionballot.
California
Nebraska(fornonpartisanlegislativeracesonly
Louisiana
WashingtonState
Facts
Allcandidatesineachcontestappearononeballot.Votersmayselectcandidates
regardlessofpartyaffiliationofboththecandidateandthevoter.Thetoptwovote
gettersadvancetothegeneralelectionregardlessofparty.(38)
Allowscrossovervotingcontestbycontest(38)
Typically,racesforGovernor,cabinetofficers,statelegislativeoffices,andUS
congressionalofficesareincludedinTopTwo(AppendixC)
InWashingtonStateacandidatemustreceive1%ofprimaryvotescasttoadvancetothe
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
generalelection(AppendixC-Ballotpedia)
Californiahascompleted3TopTwoelections(2012,2014,2016)WashingtonStatehas
completed5TopTwoelectionsstartingin2008(AppendixC-Ballotpedia)
TopTwoisnotsuitableforPresidentialPrimariesbecausethereisnodownselecttoone
candidateprovisiontoadvancetotheGeneralElection.(38)
ExpertOpinions
TheNovember2016electionmarkedthethirdoutingforCalifornia’s"toptwo”primary
system.Thetwocandidateswhoadvancetothefallelectioncanbe—andoftenare—
fromthesameparty.InCaliforniathemostvisibleexamplethisyearwastheUSSenate
racebetweenDemocratsKamalaHarrisandLorettaSanchez.Itwasthefirststatewide
same-partyrace,andmanydidnotknowwhattoexpect.Therewerealso27downballotsame-partyracesinthiscycle,inlinewith25in2014and28in2012.Theseraces
continuetobealotcloserthancross-partycontests:thisyear,anaverageof32points
separatedthecandidatesincross-partyraces,comparedto25pointsforcandidatesof
thesameparty.Aboutaquarterofthisyear’ssame-partyracesweredecidedbyless
than10points,alsosimilartopreviousyears.(PublicPolicyInstituteofCalifornia(PPIC)
EricMcGhee)
The2016CaliforniaprimaryofferedsignsofimprovementforCalifornia’slowvoter
turnout.Recentelectionshaveseensomeoftheworstturnoutinthestate’shistory.The
2014electioncyclewasparticularlydismal,but2012alsosetanewlowfora
presidentialprimaryelection.Moreover,Californiahasbeenlaggingbehindotherstates
inbothregistrationandturnout.However,therehasbeenalargesurgeinnew
registrantsoverthelastfewmonthspriortotheJuneprimary,andtheCalifornia
SecretaryofStatecurrentlyestimatesthatalmost9millionCaliforniansparticipatedin
the2016presidentialprimaryelection,comparedtoonly4.5millionin2014and5.3
millionin2012.(PPICEricMcGhee)
AgrowingshareofCaliforniavoterswhoparticipateinpresidentialelectionsdonotvote
inthegubernatorialelectiontwoyearslater.Thelasttwoelectioncycles—whichhave
seenexceptionallyhighpresidentialturnoutandexceptionallylowmidtermturnout—
havenotdepartedfromthispatternbutexemplifiedit.Thisindicatestheremaybe
otherreasonsforincreasedordecreasedvoterturnoutthanthe“toptwo”primary.
(PPICEricMcGhee)
AccordingtoEricMcGhee(PPIC)CaliforniaTopTwosame-partyraceswereinpart
expectedtopromotecompetitionbetweenmoderateandliberal/conservative
candidates.ThereissomeevidencethatthisdynamicontheDemocraticsideis
beginningtoemerge;noneontheRepublicanside.
InstantRunoffVotingGeneralElection(NoPrimary)Thiselectiontypeisnotdefined
byNCSL.Ballotpedia(47)andtheOxfordDictionary(46)defineIRV.InanIRVsystem,
votersrankcandidatesinorderofpreference.Ifnocandidatereceivesanoverall
majorityoffirstpreferences,thecandidateswiththefewestvotesareeliminatedoneby
oneandtheirvotesaretransferredaccordingtotheirsecondandthirdpreferences(and
soon)andthenallvotesareretallied,untilonecandidateachievesamajority(Nostates)
BerkeleyCA2010
OaklandCA2010
SanFranciscoCA2004
SanLeandroCA2010
TellurideCO2011
PortlandME2011
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TakomaParkMD2007
SantaFeNM2016
MinneapolisMN2009
StPaulMN2011
HendersonNC2008
BibliographyList(#68)
Facts
3.4MillionNPAandMinorPartyvoterscanvote(47)
IRVeliminatestheprimaryelection(47)(48)
Allowscrossovervotingcontestbycontest(47)
Givesvotersawaytoexpressstrongsupportofcandidatesviarankordering(48)(49)
Willrequiredetailedvotereducation(50)(51)
Willrequirevotingmachineupgradesorreplacement(59)(67)(70)
Can’tguaranteemajorityvoteduetoballotexhaustion(48)(52)
Willrequireenactinglegislationasaminimum(53)(66)
Eliminates“spoiler”effect&strategicvoting&minoritywinners(49)(52)(64)(65)(69)
EliminatesUniversalPrimarywriteincandidateeffect(53)
Eliminatesneedforactualrunoffelections(47)(48)(65)
Round1thirdplacecandidatecanbeatRound1firstplacecandidateinfinalvotecount
(52))(54)
Arkansas,Alabama,LouisianaandSouthCarolinauseinstantrunoffsformilitaryand
overseasvoters,whosendintheirinstantrunoffballotwiththeirprimaryballot(55)
MainepassedIRVin2016election(56)
IRV(RankedChoice)hasbeenusedinAustraliasince1914(55)
Lowerscostsofelectionsduetoeliminationofprimariesandrunoffelections(Excluding
initialcostofequipment/softwareandinitialvotereducation)(50)
ExpertOpinions
Turnoutiscomplexandrequiresmultiplechangestoincreaseturnout--changingtoany
primaryelectionsystemalonewon’tdoit(57)(58)
AccordingtoFloridavotingmachinevendorDominionSystems,IRVwillrequire
machineupgradesorreplacement
AmajorityofFloridamachinesexpectedtobemorethan10yearsoldasof2016(59)
Mayincreasevoterturnoutnumbers(52)
Mayloweroverallcandidatecampaigncosts(50)
MarginallyImprovesminorpartycandidatechancesofelectionbutmaypavewaytouse
proportionalrepresentation(60)
Cansuppressturnoutbecauseofnotdoinghomeworktorankmultiplecandidates(61)
Canelectextremistcandidate(61)
Increasingnumberofrankedchoicescanreduceballotexhaustion(48)(50)(52)
StudyshowsthatIRVversusPluralityvotingdecreasesnegativecampaigning(62)(49)
Processtoocomplicatedandmayconfusevoters(52)
Electingcandidateswiththebroadestacceptance(63)
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StudyEvaluationCriteriaAnalysis
Criteria
Closed
Open
Open TopTwo IRV*
Unaffiliated
Simple&EasytoUnderstand
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
Verifiable&Auditable
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Fosterscompetition
NO
NO
NO
NO
YES
Minimizespoliticalmanipulation
NO
NO
NO
YES
YES
Representsdemographics
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
Technically&fiscallyfeasible
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES/?? Winnerachievesmajorityvote
NO
NO
NO
YES
YES
*In2007theLeagueaddedanElectionLawpositionthatreadsasfollows:“Recommended
instantrunoffvotingasanalternativetoFlorida’spresentsystemofpluralityvoting”.TheIRV
fiscallyfeasibleassessmentof??indicatesthatcostisinvolvedbutwasnotpartofthisstudy.
YE
YES
Y
YES
NON
NON
SimpleandEasytoUnderstand:OpenUnaffiliatedPrimariesonlyallowNPAstoparticipate.
Insomestatestheymayhavetodeclareapartyaffiliation.Openprimariesdon’trequire
voterstodeclareapartyaffiliation.
TopTwodoesn’trequireapartychangetovotenorhavetochooseaballot.
TheMinneapolisLWVfoundthat“educatingvotersaboutafundamentalchange(IRV)in
votingmethodappeareddifficultbutnotimpossibleaccordingtoalmostalloftheelection
officialsandadministratorsinterviewed.”Otherauthorsdisagreeandfindthateducating
votersisverydifficultandrequiresfrequentrefreshereducating
Verifiable&Auditable:AccordingtotheFloridaDivisionofElectionsTestingand
Certificationgroupallelectionsystemsareverifiableandauditable
http://dos.myflorida.com/media/693718/dsde101.pdfhttp://dos.myflorida.com/media/693
718/dsde101.pdf
FostersCompetition:Allopenprimariesrequirevoterstochooseoneparty’sballot.They
canonlyvoteforcandidatesofthepartytheychoose.
TopTwoandIRVfeatureoneballotwithallcandidatescompetingregardlessofpolitical
affiliation.
TheTopTwoprimarysystemprovidestheopportunityforcompetitionbutactualvotingmay
ormaynotresultincompetitiveraces.AccordingtoEricMcGheeInthe2016CaliforniaTop
Twoprimary,“Aboutaquarterofthisyearssamepartyracesweredecidedbylessthan10
pointsalsosimilartopreviousyears.”Hecommentedfurtherthatincrosspartyracesthe
narrowmarginwinners(<10points)havedecreasedfrom18%in2012;to15%in2014;and
to11%in2016.
TheStanfordSocialInterventionReviewstudiedfourIRVcases(Oakland10candidates)(San
Francisco(16candidates)(SanLeandro5candidates)(PierceCountyWAwasthefourthbut
droppedIRVafteroneyear)
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
Minimizespoliticalmanipulation:Allopenprimariesarevulnerabletothewrite-in
loophole.FloridaConstitutionArticleVISection5(b)Awrite-incandidatefortheGeneral
Electionclosestheprimaryandonlypartyregisteredvotersmayparticipateintheprimary.
Adoptingstringentwrite-instandardswouldclosetheloophole.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-write-in-candidate-lawsuit-20160805story.html
BasedonWashingtonStateandCaliforniaTopTwolaw,write-incandidatescannotskipthe
primarytoadvancetothegeneralelection.ThereisnoprimaryinIRV.
AccordingtoJamesLanganoftheWilliam&MaryLawReview“perhapstheclearest
justificationforadoptinganinstantrunoffvotingsystemisitsabilitytoeliminatewhatmany
viewasthespoilerproblem”.
RepresentsDemographics:Havingtochooseapartyballotmeansthatanopenunaffiliated
primarydoesnotreachallvoters.Minorpartyvotersareexcludedinthiscase.Florida’s
closedprimaryturnoutaverages<23%meaningthat77%ofregisteredvotersaren’tcounted.
Additionally,onlypartymemberscanvote.Inanopen(toallvoters)NPAandminorparty
votershavetopickapartyballotinopenprimariesbutthose3.4millionregisteredvoters
haveachoice.
TopTwoandIRVprovideoneballotforallvoterstochooseanycandidate.
TechnicallyandFiscallyFeasible:Openprimaryelectionshaveexistedfordecades;
equipmentinplacetodaycanworkwithallopenprimaries
TopTwoexistsinfourstatesandrequiresnoequipmentorsoftwarechange.
IRVexistsin11citiesandwasapprovedbyMainevotersinthe2016election.Accordingto
DominionSystems(Floridavotingmachinevendor),IRVwillrequireequipmentandsoftware
investmenttomachinescoreballots.AccordingtoaBrennanCenterassessmentofvoting
machinestatus(59),“Fourteenstates(Alaska,Arizona,Delaware,Florida,Kentucky,
Louisiana,Massachusetts,NewHampshire,NewJersey,RhodeIsland,Texas,Vermont,
Virginia,andWashington)willbeusingsomemachinesthatwerepurchasedmorethan15
yearsago.AmajorityofFloridamachineswereexpectedtobemorethan10yearsoldasof
2016.”
TheYES/??AssessmentofIRVindicatestechnicalfeasibilitybutunknownfiscalfeasibility.
WinnerAchievesMajorityVote:Inopenprimariesvotersmustchooseapartyballot.
Wheneveryouexcludepeoplefromvoting,individualswithnopartyaffiliationorare
membersofaminorpartyacandidatecannotachieveamajorityofvoters.
TopTwoandIRVbydesignleadtoaneventualhead-to-headcompetitiontochooseamajority
winner.ATopTwoprimaryrealizesamajoritywinnerinthegeneralelection.IRVachievesa
majoritywinnerbyconsideringonlyvotescastinaroundwhereonecandidatereceivesa
majorityvote.
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
StateDivisionofElectionsProceduresandLeaguePositions
SelectedstateprimaryelectionsproceduresandtheirLeagueofWomenVoters
positiononelectionsinthatstateareoutlinedbelow.Thisinformationsummarizesresearch
andinterviewsdoneinselectedstatesrepresentativeofthetypesofprimariesstudied.Even
thoughstatesmayhaveanopenorclosedprimary,thedetailsvarywidelyacrossthecountry.
StateSupervisorsofElections
CALIFORNIA:CaliforniaSecretaryofState
http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/primary-elections-california/
·
CaliforniaStatePrimaryisTopTwo(itdoesnotapplytoofficesofUSPresident,countycentral
committee,orlocaloffices.)
·
DefinitionofTopTwo:Allcandidatesforvoter-nominatedofficesarelistedononeballotand
onlythetoptwovote-gettersintheprimaryelection--regardlessofpartypreference--moveontothe
generalelection.
·
Presidentialprimaryelectionscanbeheldinoneoftwoways:Qualifiedpoliticalpartiesmay
choosetoholdaclosedpresidentialprimaryoramodified-closedpresidentialprimary.
Inaclosedpresidentialprimaryonlyvotersindicatingapreferenceforapartymayvoteforthat
party’spresidentialnominee.
Inamodified-closedpresidentialprimarythepartyalsoallowsvoterswhodidNOTstateaparty
preferencetovoteforthatparty’spresidentialnominee.Thequalifiedpoliticalpartymustnotifythe
CaliforniaSecretaryofStatenolaterthanthe135thdaybeforeElectionDayiftheychoosetoholda
modified-closedpresidentialprimary.TherearesixqualifiedpoliticalpartiesinCalifornia:
Democratic,Republican,AmericanIndependentParty,GreenParty,LibertarianParty,Peace&
FreedomParty.
·
Write-inCandidatewillonlymoveontothegeneralelectionifthecandidateisoneofthetoptwo
vote-gettersintheprimaryelection.
·
QualificationstoregisterinCalifornia:a)UScitizen;b)residentofCalifornia;c)18yearsorolder
onElectionDay;d)notcurrentlyimprisonedoronparolefortheconvictionofafelony;e)not
currentlyfoundtobementallyincompetentbyacourtoflaw.f)apersonmustre-registerwhens/he
movestoanewpermanentresidenceinCalifornia,orchangeshis/hernameorchangestheirchoice
ofpoliticalparty.
·
Deadlineforregistrationorre-registrationis15dayspriortoElectionDay
·
Registrationcanbedonethroughanonlineapplication.Toregisteronline,onemusthavea:(1)
CaliforniadriverlicenseorCaliforniaidentificationcardnumber,(2)thelastfourdigitsofone’ssocial
securitynumberand(3)thedateofbirth.Theperson’sinformationwillbeprovidedtothe
CaliforniaDepartmentofMotorVehicles(DMV)toretrieveacopyoftheDMVsignature.Ifaperson
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
isenrolledinCalifornia’sconfidentialaddressprogramtheymustcontacttheSafeatHomeprogram
(toll-freenumberandonlinesafeaddress).Voterregistrationapplicationisavailablein10languages:
English,Spanish,Chinese,Hindi,Japanese,Khmer,Korean,Tagalog,ThaiandVietnamese.
·
Specialproceduresapplyformilitary,overseasvotersandstudentswholiveabroadandare
studentsinacollege,tradeschoolortechnicalschool.Seewebsitenotedabove.TheymustNOTbe
registeredtovoteintwolocationsduringthesameelectioncycle.
·
VotebyMail-ANYregisteredvotermayvoteusingavote-by-mailballot.Avotermayrequesta
vote-by-mailballotforoneelectionortobecomeapermanentvote-by-mailvoter.Ifavoterisvoting
forthefirsttimeanditisvote-by-mail,s/hemustincludeaphotocopyofrequiredpersonal
identificationintheenvelopewiththevote-by-mailballot(e.g.,recentutilitybill,sampleballot
bookletreceivedfromthecountyelectionsofficeorotherdocumentsentbyagovernmentagency,
passport,officialCaliforniaidentificationcard,orstudentidentificationcard.)
FLORIDA:FloridaDivisionofElections
http://dos.myflorida.com/elections/
· TheFloridaStatePrimaryandPresidentialPrimaryarebothClosedPrimaries.
DefinitionClosedPrimary:Onlyvoterswhoareregisteredmembersoftherespective
politicalparty’scandidatescanvoteforthosecandidatenomineesinaprimaryelection
(local,stateandfederalprimaries).Typicallythatwouldbeeitheroneofthetwomajor
politicalparties(RepublicanorDemocrat),butitcanalsoincludeminorpoliticalpartiesif
theyhavecandidatesforanofficeontheprimaryelectionballot.Thepartisancandidate
receivingthehighestnumberofvoteswillbenominated.Innonpartisanraces,ifno
candidatereceivesamajorityofthevotes,thetoptwocandidateswillbevotedoninthe
generalelection.Partychangestoyourregistrationmustbemadebytheregistration
deadline,29daysbeforetheprimaryelection.
· DefinitionUniversalPrimary:Allregisteredvoterscanvoteinaprimaryelection,
regardlessofwhichmajororminorpoliticalpartytheyareregisteredoreveniftheyare
registeredwithoutaspecificpartyaffiliation(NPA)when:a)Allthecandidatesforanoffice
havethesamepartyaffiliationandthewinneroftheprimaryelectionwillnotfaceany
oppositioninthegeneralelectionandnowrite-incandidateshavequalified.b)Theraceis
nonpartisan.Araceisnonpartisanwhenthecandidateisprohibitedbylawfromqualifying
orcampaigningbaseduponpartyaffiliation(e.g.judicialandschoolboardoffices,
nonpartisanspecialdistrictsorlocalreferendumquestions).
· Writeincandidateswhohavequalifiedforaparticularofficewillbeleftspaceata
generalelectionwheretheirnamecanbewritteninbythevoter.Onlythequalifiedwritein
candidatesnamecanbewritteninontheirspace.Anyothernamewillnotbecounted.All
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
registeredvotersreceivethesameballotandmayvoteforanycandidateorquestiononthe
ballot.
· QualificationstoRegister:a)YoumustbeaUSCitizen;b)YoumustbeaFloridaresident;
c)Youmustbe18yearsoldtovote.Youcanpre-registertovoteifyouare16yearsold,but
youcannotvoteuntilyouare18yearsold;d)Youmustnothavebeenadjudicatedmentally
incapacitatedwithrespecttovotinginFloridaoranyotherstatewithouthavingtherightto
voterestored;e)Youmustnothavebeenconvictedofafelonywithouthavingyourcivil
rightsrestored;f)YoumustprovideyourFloridadriver’slicensenumberorFlorida
identificationcardnumber.IfyoudonothaveaFloridadriver’slicensenumberor
identificationcard,youmustprovidethelastfourdigitsofyourSocialSecurityNumber;f)
Youareeligibletovoteunderthefederal
· UniformedandOverseasCitizensAbsenteeVotingAct.Whenvoting,photoidentification
andasignaturematchingthesignatureonfilewithyourregistrationmustbepresented.
· TheNationalVoterRegistrationActof1993requiresofficesthatprovidedriverlicense
servicestoallowpeopletoregistertovoteorupdatetheirvoterregistrationinformationat
thesametime.
· VotebyMail(formerlyAbsenteeVoting):Vote-by-mailreferstovotingaballotreceived
bymailorpickedupbyorforavoterwhoisunableorunwillingtogotothepollstovote
duringearlyvotingorElectionDay.Avoterdoesnothavetobeabsentfromthecountyof
residenceorhaveanexcuseinordertovote-by-mailexceptonElectionDay(seedetails
below).Arequestcoversallelectionsthroughtheendofthecalendaryearforthesecond
ensuingregularlyscheduledgeneralelection.Toreceiveavote-by-mailballot,thevoteror
authorizedpersonmustcontacthisorhercountySupervisorofElections.
Instructionsforcompletingthevote-by-mailballotareincludedwiththeballot.Thevoted
ballotmustbereturnedandreceivedbytheSupervisorofElectionsnolaterthan7p.m.on
ElectionDay.OtherreturnoptionsareavailableforMilitaryandOverseasVoters.
Ifthevoterdecidestogotothepollstovoteinstead,thevotershouldbringthevote-by-mail
ballot(whetherithasbeenmarkedornot).Evenifthevotercomestothepollswithoutthe
vote-by-mailballot,thevoterwillstillbeabletovotearegularballotifthesupervisorof
elections'officeisabletoconfirmthatithasnotreceivedthevoter'svote-by-mailballot.
However,ifitisconfirmedthatthevoterhavealreadyvotedavote-by-mailballot,thevoter
cannotvoteagainatthepolls.Ifthevoterbelievesorinsiststhatthesupervisorofelections'
officeiswrongaboutreceivingthevote-by-mailballotorifthesupervisorofelections'office
cannotconfirmthatthevoterhasalreadyvotedavote-by-mailballot,thevoterisallowedto
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
voteaprovisionalballot.
· Theregistrationbookswillbeclosedonthe29thdaybeforeeachelectionandwillremain
closeduntilaftertheelection.Inaclosedprimary,thepartycannotbechangedafter“book
closing”date.
MICHIGAN:StateofMichigan,BureauofElections
www.Michigan.gov/elections
· TheStatePrimaryisanOpenPrimary.
DefinitionStateOpenPrimary:Votersinanopenprimaryaregivenaballotwithcolumn
listingeachqualifiedparty’scandidates.Votersthendecidewhichpartyprimarytheywishto
participateinbyvotingonlyinthecolumnoftheirpartychoicewhileintheprivacyofthe
votingstation.Votingforcandidatesinmorethanasingleparty’scolumnwillVOIDthe
entirepartisanballot.
· Michigan’sPresidentialPrimaryhasbeendesignatedaClosedPrimary.Any
Michiganregisteredvotercanparticipateintheprimary.Bylaw,youmakeyourballot
selectioninwritingbycompletingtheApplicationtoVote/BallotSelectionFormonElection
Day;orontheAbsentVoterBallotApplicationformifvotingabsentee.Thewrittenselection
madebyavoteratthePresidentialPrimaryhasnobearingonhowapersonvotesinthe
StatePrimaryelection.
DefinitionPresidentialClosedPrimary:Votersinclosedprimariesmuststatetheparty
primarytheywishtoparticipateinbeforebeingissuedaballot.Theballotgiventovoters
onlyhascandidatesofthepartythatcorrespondstothevoter’schoice.
· QualificationstoregisterinMichigan:a)resident;b)USCitizen;c)18yearsofageby
electionday;d)Notservingasentenceinjailorprison.(Ifyouareinjail,awaiting
arraignmentortrialyoumayregistertovote.Ifyouareinjailafterbeingconvictedand
sentenced,youmayNOTregistertovoteorvotewhileyouareconfined.
· MichiganRegistrationRequirements:Youmustappearinpersontovoteinthefirst
electiontowhichyouwishtoparticipateunlessyoua)handdeliverformtotheclerk’soffice;
b)youare60yearsofageorolder;c)youaredisabled;d)youareeligibletovoteunderthe
federalUniformedandOverseasCitizensAbsenteeVotingAct.
· ThereisNOpoliticalpartyregistrationrequirementinMichiganElectionLaw.Michigan
ElectionLaw(MCL168.615c)guidestheconductofthePresidentialPrimary.Thelaw
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
requiresthatvotersindicateinwritingwhichpoliticalparty(RepublicanorDemocratic)
ballottheywishtovote.ThisrequirementonlyappliestoPresidentialPrimaryelections,and
votersarenotrequiredtoselectapoliticalpartyballottypeatotherelections(State
Primary).
· VotersinthePresidentialPrimaryhavetheoptionofvoting“uncommitted”oneither
theRepublicanorDemocraticballot.Eachpartyballothasavotepositionfor“uncommitted.”
Whenavoterselects“uncommitted”,thisindicatesthevoterisexercisingavoteforthat
politicalparty,butisnotcommittedtoanyofthecandidateslistedontheballot.Ifenough
voterscast“uncommitted”votes,thepartymaysenddelegatestothenationalnominating
conventionwhoarenotcommittedtoaspecificcandidate.
· Absenteevoting:MichigandoesNOThaveno-reasonabsenteevoting.Apersonwho
registerstovotebymailmustvoteinpersoninthefirstelectioninwhichheorshe
participates.Asaregisteredvoter,youmayobtainanabsentvoterballotifyouare:a)age60
yearsoldorolder;b)unabletovotewithoutassistanceatthepolls;c)expectingtobeoutof
townonelectionday;d)injailawaitingarraignmentortrial;e)unabletoattendthepolls
duetoreligiousreasons;f)appointedtoworkasanelectioninspectorinaprecinctoutsideof
yourprecinctresidence.
· Write-incandidate:TheboardofelectioninspectorsshallNOTcountawrite-invotefora
personunlessthatpersonhasfiledaDeclarationofIntenttobeawrite-incandidate.
· ThereisNOearlyvotinginMichigan.Votesarecastonthedesignatedelectionday.
NEWYORK:NewYorkStateBoardofElections
https://www.elections.ny.gov/
· TheNewYorkStatePrimaryandPresidentialPrimaryareClosedPrimaries.
DefinitionClosedPrimary:Theterms‘‘primary’’or‘‘primaryelection’’meanonlythe
mandatedelectionatwhichenrolledmembersofapartymayvoteforthepurposeof
nominatingpartycandidatesandelectingpartyofficers.
DefinitionPresidentialPrimary:Thepurposeofthepresidentialprimaryistoselect
delegatestoanationalconventionofapoliticalparty.Theprovisionsforthedelegate
selectionprocessarefoundintheElectionLaw,therulesofthepartyandChapters87and
88oftheLawsof2015.
DEMOCRATICPLAN:TheDemocraticPresidentialPrimaryisreallya“dualprimary.”
Candidatesforpresidentrunagainsteachotherinastatewideprimary,anddelegatesrunin
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
eachcongressionaldistrict.Delegatesareeithercommittedtoaparticularpresidential
candidateoruncommitted.EL§2-122-a.
REPUBLICANPLAN:Theselectionofcongressionaldistrictdelegatesandalternatedelegates
totheRepublicanParty’snationalconventionisdeterminedbyacongressionaldistrictlevel
primaryelectionofcandidatesfortheofficeofPresidentoftheUnitedStates.Thenamesof
delegatesandalternatedelegatesdonotappearontheballot.Additionalat-largedelegates
areelectedbythestatecommitteeandapportionedtopresidentialcandidatesbasedupon
thestatewideresultsofthepresidentialprimary.EL§2-122-b.
OTHERPOLITICALPARTIESINNEWYORKSTATE:AnypoliticalpartyinNewYorkState
maynominateacandidatefortheofficesofPresidentandVice-President.Theymayeither
nominatedelegatestoanationalconventionpursuanttoeithertheRepublicanPlanorthe
DemocraticPlan.Theymayalsonominatecandidatesatastatewideconventionorbyfiling
designatingpetitions.
· Write-incandidates:Torunasawrite-incandidateforpresident,youarerequiredtofile
acertificateofcandidacywiththeStateBoardofElectionsnolaterthanthethirdTuesday
priortothegeneralelection.Thecertificatemustbesignedbythepresidentialcandidateand
mustcontainthenameandaddressofthepresidentialcandidate;thenameandaddressof
anyvice-presidentialcandidate,andasignedcertificateofacceptancefromsuchcandidate;
andthenameandaddressofatleastone,butnotmorethan29candidatesforelector,with
anacceptancecertificateandpledgeofsupportsignedbyeachsuchcandidateforelector.
ElectionLaw§6-153.
· QualificationstoRegister:InNewYorkStatequalificationstovoteare:a)beaUnited
Statescitizen;b)be18yearsoldbyDecember31oftheyearinwhichyoufilethisform
(note:youmustbe18yearsoldbythedateofthegeneral,primaryorotherelectioninwhich
youwanttovote);c)liveatyourpresentaddressatleast30daysbeforeanelection;d)not
beinprisonoronparoleforafelonyconvictionand;e)notbeadjudgedmentally
incompetentbyacourt;f)notclaimtherighttovoteelsewhere.
YoumayregistertovoteusingtheNewYorkStateVoterRegistrationFormaccessibleonline.
YoucancompleteaPDFversionoftheNewYorkStateVoterRegistrationFormon-line,
typingthenecessaryinformationandselectingtheappropriateboxes.Alternatively,youcan
printtheformtocompletebyhand.Oncetheformiscompleted,youneedtoprinttheform
andsignit.NewYorkdoesnotacceptanykindofdigitalorAdobe-generatedsignature.Then,
mailtheformtotheNewYorkcountyboardofelections.
· AbsenteeVotingQualifications:TovoteAbsenteeinNewYorkyoumustbe:a)Absent
fromyourcountyor,ifaresidentofNewYorkCityabsentfromsaidcity,onElectionDay.b)
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Unabletoappearatthepollsduetotemporaryorpermanentillnessordisability;orbecause
youaretheprimarycaregiverofoneormoreindividualswhoareillorphysicallydisabled.
c)ApatientorinmateinaVeterans'AdministrationHospital.d)Detainedinjailawaiting
GrandJuryactionorconfinedinprisonafterconvictionforanoffenseotherthanafelony.
ApplicationsforAbsenteeBallotsareavailableatyourcountyboardofelections.Youmay
alsodownloadaPDFversionoftheNewYorkStateAbsenteeBallotApplicationForm.Upon
completion,applicationsmustbemailedtoyourcountyboardnolaterthantheseventhday
beforetheelectionordeliveredinpersonnolaterthanthedaybeforetheelection.
YoumayalsorequestanAbsenteeBallotbysendingalettertoyourcountyboardof
elections.Thelettermustbereceivedbyyourcountyboardnoearlierthan30daysandno
laterthansevendaysbeforetheelection.Thelettermustcontainthefollowinginformation:
a)theaddresswhereyouareregistered;b)anaddresswheretheballotistobesent;c)the
reasonfortherequest,andd)thesignatureofthevoter.Anapplicationformwillbemailed
withyourballot.Theapplicationformmustbecompletedandreturnedwithyourballot.
Ifyoucannotpickupyourballot,orwillnotbeabletoreceiveitthroughthemail,youhave
therighttodesignatesomeonetopickitupforyou.Onlythatpersondesignatedonyour
applicationmaypickupanddeliveryourballot.
Ifyouarepermanentlyillordisabled,youhavetherighttoreceiveanAbsenteeBallotfor
eachsubsequentelectionwithoutfurtherapplication.Simplyfileanapplicationwithyour
countyboardofelectionsindicatingpermanentillnessorphysicaldisability.Youwillthen
automaticallyreceiveanabsenteeballotforeveryelectionuntilyourregistrationiscanceled.
· VoterRegistrationsDeadlinesforvariousPrimaries:(NoteNewYorkhasmultipleprimaryand
generalelectiondatesandregistrationdeadlines.Severalstudiesnotethatmultipleelectionsand
registrationdeadlinesdonotencouragevoterturnout.)
April19,2016PresidentialPrimaryDeadlines:MAILREGISTRATION:Applicationmustbe
postmarkednolaterthanMarch25thandreceivedbyaboardofelectionsnolaterthanMarch30th
tobeeligibletovoteinthePresidentialPrimary.
INPERSONREGISTRATION:Youmayregisteratyourlocalboardofelectionsoranystateagency
participatingintheNationalVoterRegistrationAct,onanybusinessdaythroughouttheyearbut,to
beeligibletovoteinthePresidentialPrimary,yourapplicationmustbereceivednolaterthanMarch
25th.
CHANGEOFADDRESS:NoticesofchangeofaddressfromregisteredvotersreceivedbyMarch30th
byacountyboardofelectionsmustbeprocessedandenteredintherecordsintimeforthe
PresidentialPrimary.
June28,2016CongressionalPrimaryDeadlines:MAILREGISTRATION
ApplicationmustbepostmarkednolaterthanJune3rdandreceivedbyaboardofelectionsnolater
thanJune8thtobeeligibletovoteinthePrimary.
INPERSONREGISTRATION:Youmayregisteratyourlocalboardofelectionsoranystateagency
participatingintheNationalVoterRegistrationAct,onanybusinessdaythroughouttheyearbut,to
beeligibletovoteintheCongressionalPrimary,yourapplicationmustbereceivednolaterthanJune
3rd.
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CHANGEOFADDRESS:NoticesofchangeofaddressfromregisteredvotersreceivedbyJune8thbya
countyboardofelectionsmustbeprocessedandenteredintherecordsintimefortheCongressional
Primary.
September13,2016StateandLocalPrimaryDeadlines:MAILREGISTRATION
ApplicationmustbepostmarkednolaterthanAugust19thandreceivedbyaboardofelectionsno
laterthanAugust24thtobeeligibletovoteinthePrimary.
INPERSONREGISTRATION:Youmayregisteratyourlocalboardofelectionsoranystateagency
participatingintheNationalVoterRegistrationAct,onanybusinessdaythroughouttheyearbut,to
beeligibletovoteintheStateandLocalPrimary,yourapplicationmustbereceivednolaterthan
August19th.
CHANGEOFADDRESS:NoticesofchangeofaddressfromregisteredvotersreceivedbyAugust24th
byacountyboardofelectionsmustbeprocessedandenteredintherecordsintimefortheState&
LocalPrimary.
November8,2016GeneralElectionDeadlines:MAILREGISTRATIONApplicationsmustbe
postmarkednolaterthanOctober14thandreceivedbyaboardofelectionsnolaterthanOctober
19thtobeeligibletovoteintheGeneralElection.
INPERSONREGISTRATION:Youmayregisteratyourlocalboardofelectionsoranystateagency
participatingintheNationalVoterRegistrationAct,onanybusinessdaythroughouttheyearbut,to
beeligibletovoteintheGeneralElection,yourapplicationmustbereceivednolaterthanOctober
14th.IfhonorablydischargedfromtheUSMilitaryorhavebecomeanaturalizedUSCitizenafter
October14th,youmayregisterinpersonattheBoardofElectionsupuntilOctober29th.
CHANGEOFADDRESS:NoticesofchangeofaddressfromregisteredvotersreceivedbyOctober
19thbyacountyboardofelectionsmustbeprocessedandenteredintherecordsintimeforthe
GeneralElection.
OHIO:OhioSecretaryofState
http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/Voters.aspx
· OhioStatePrimaryisPartiallyOpen.
· DefinitionofPartiallyOpenPrimary:UnderOhioelectionlaw,youdoNOTdeclareyour
politicalpartywhenyouregistertovote.Votersdeclaretheirpoliticalpartyaffiliationby
requestingtheballotofapoliticalpartyinapartisanprimaryelection.
IfyoudonotdesiretoaffiliatewithapoliticalpartyinOhio,youareconsideredtobean
unaffiliatedvoter.Anunaffiliatedvoterdoesnotvotetheballotofapoliticalpartyina
primaryelection.However,anunaffiliatedvotermayvotetheOfficialQuestions&Issues
Ballot,ifthereisoneforthevoter'sprecinctattheelection.
· Write-incandidates:Awrite-incandidateisapersonseekingelectedofficewhosename
isnotprintedontheballot.Thecandidatemustfileadeclarationofintenttobeawrite-in
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candidatenotlaterthan4p.m.ofthe72nddaybeforetheprimaryorgeneralelection.The
boardmayonlytallythevotesofawrite-incandidatewhofiledavaliddeclarationofintent
tobeawrite-incandidate.Awrite-incandidatemustmeetalloftheeligibilityrequirements
oftheoffice.TheSecretaryofStateprescribestheformofthedeclarationofintenttobea
write-incandidate.
Awrite-incandidacyispossibleformost,butnotall,elections.Aboardofelectionscannot
acceptadeclarationofintenttobeawrite-incandidatefornominationforamunicipaloffice
if,pursuanttoR.C.3513.02,noprimaryelectionisheld.
· Qualificationstovote:YouarequalifiedtoregistertovoteinOhioifyoumeetallthe
followingrequirements:a)YouareacitizenoftheUnitedStates;b)Youwillbeatleast18
yearsoldonorbeforethedayofthenextgeneralelection.(Ifyouwillbe18onorbeforethe
generalelection,youmayvoteintheprimaryelectiontonominatecandidates,butyou
cannotvoteonissuesorpartycentralcommitteesuntilyouare18);c)Youwillbearesident
ofOhioforatleast30daysimmediatelybeforetheelectioninwhichyouwanttovote;d)You
arenotincarcerated(inprisonorjail)forafelonyconvictionunderthelawsofthisstate,
anotherstate,ortheUnitedStates;e)Youhavenotbeendeclaredincompetentforvoting
purposesbyaprobatecourt;andf)Youhavenotbeenpermanentlydisenfranchisedfor
violatingtheelectionlaws.
Youareeligibletovoteinelectionsheldinyourvotingprecinct30daysafteryouareduly
registeredtovoteinthisstate.Youmayrequestanabsenteeballotduringthat30dayperiod.
· AbsenteeVotebymail:AllOhiovoterswhoseregistrationinformationisup-to-datehavethe
opportunitytovoteinanyelectionfromtheconvenienceoftheirownhomesbyrequestingan
absenteeballot.Absenteevotinghasmanybenefits--Youcanvoteearly,itisconvenient,itreduces
thechanceoflinesatthepollsonElectionDay,andabsenteeballotsarethefirstvotescountedon
ElectionNight.Votersneedonlyfilloutandreturnanapplicationandtheirabsenteeballotwillbe
mailedtothemsotheymaymaketheirselectionsattheirleisureandreturntheirballottotheboard
ofelectionsaheadofElectionDay.
Thedeadlinetorequestanabsenteeballotisthreedaysbeforetheelectioninwhichyouwanttovote,
butvoterscansubmittheirapplicationanytime.Ifmailed,absenteeballotsmustbepostmarkedby
thedaybeforetheelectioninordertobecounted.Youcanalsoreturnyourabsenteeballotin-person
toyourcountyboardofelectionsbeforethecloseofthepollsat7:30pmonElectionDay.
YoucanrequestyourballotforeachindividualelectionbeginningonJanuary1or90daysbeforethe
dateofanelection,whicheverisearlier,butyoumustcompleteandsubmitaseparateapplicationfor
eachelectioninwhichyouwanttovote.Yourrequestmustbereceivedbyyourlocalcountyboardof
electionsbynoonthethirddaybeforetheelection(usuallyaSaturday).However,youshouldsubmit
yourrequestasfarinadvanceoftheelectionaspossibletoensurethereissufficienttimeforthe
boardtomailyouaballotandforyoutotimelyreturnthatballot.
Earlyin-personvotinginOhio,votershavemanyoptionstovote.Startingthedayafterthecloseof
voterregistration,allregisteredvotersmayrequestandvoteanabsenteeballotinpersonattheir
countyboardofelectionsorearlyvotingcenterasdesignatedbythecounty.
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OREGON:OregonSecretaryofStatehttp://sos.oregon.gov/voting/Pages/voteinor.aspx
· InOregon,majorpartieshavetheoptionofchoosinga“closedsystem”oran“open
system”.Threepartiesaredesignatedas“major”inOregonduringthe2016Primary
Election(Democratic,RepublicanandIndependent).
DefinitionClosedSystemOption:Onlytheregisteredvotersinthatpartycanvotefor
candidatesofthesameparty.Forexample,ifyouareregisteredwiththeDemocraticParty,
youmayvoteforDemocraticcandidates,nonpartisancandidatesandlocalorstatemeasures.
YoucannotvoteforacandidatefromanyotherpartyinthePrimaryElection.
TheDemocraticpartychoseclosedprimariesforyears2004-2016.SodidtheRepublican
party,exceptforyear2012.In2012theRepublicanschosetohaveanopenprimary,butfor
theirstatewidecandidatesonly:SecretaryofState,TreasurerandAttorneyGeneral.
DefinitionOpenSystemOption:Themajorpartyallowsregisteredvoterswhoarenot
registeredwithanypartytovoteforcandidatesintheirparty’sPrimaryElection.For
example,theRepublicanPartycanannouncetheyaregoingtoopentheirPrimaryElectionso
peoplewhoarenotregisteredwithanypartycanvoteforRepublicancandidatesinaddition
to,thenonpartisancandidatesandlocalorstatemeasures.
For2016,theIndependentpartydecidedtohaveanOpenPrimary.ThismeansthatnonaffiliatedregisteredvotersandIndependentregisteredvoterscanvoteontheIndependent
ballot.RegisteredvoterswhohavechosentobeeitherDemocraticorRepublicanareunable
tovoteinthisOpenPrimaryunlesstheychangetheirregistrationtoindependentor
nonaffiliated.Forthe2016PresidentialPrimarytherewerenocandidatesontheballotfor
theIndependentparty.
· QualificationstoRegistertoVoteinOregon:ToregistertovoteinOregonyoumustbea
UScitizen,anOregonresidentandatleast17yearsold.Onlineregistrationrequiresa
currentOregondriver’slicenseorstateIDcard.
· OregonRegistrationRequirements:Oregonianscanregister:a)OnlineusingMyVote,b)
Bymailusingavoterregistrationform(PDF)inEnglishorSpanish,orc)Inpersonatthe
countyelectionsoffice.FelonswhoarenotincarceratedareeligibletovoteinOregon.
HomelessUSCitizenshavetherighttovote.Thedeadlinetoregisteris21daysbefore
ElectionDay.
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· OregonMotorVoterAutomaticRegistration(EffectiveJanuary1,2016):Undertheold
systemanextrastepwasrequiredattheDMVafterobtainingorrenewingyourlicense.The
newlawmakesvoterregistrationautomatic.Automaticvoterregistrationisavailableifyou
areeligibletoregistertovoteandyouapplyforyouroriginal,renewal,orreplacement
license,permit,orIDcardattheDMV.OnceyouengagetheOregonMotorVoterprocessby
visitingtheDMV,youwillreceiveacardandaprepaidpostagereturnenvelopefromthe
OregonStateElectionsOffice.Withthiscardyouhavethreeoptions:a)Donothing.Youwill
beregisteredtovoteasanonaffiliatedvoter(notamemberofapoliticalparty).b)Choosea
politicalpartybyreturningthecard.Joiningapoliticalpartywillallowyoutovoteinits
PrimaryElections.c)Usethecardtoopt-outanddeclinetoregistertovote.
Onceregistered,youwillautomaticallyreceiveaballotandinstructionsinthemailabout
twoweeksbeforeanelection.Whenyouvote,yourballotissecretandyourchoicescannot
bematchedupwithyourname.
· VotebyMail(Operational2007):Sinceadoptingvote-by-mail,Oregonconsistentlyranks
asanationalleaderinvoterturnout.Registeredvotersreceiveaballottwotothreeweeks
beforeanelection,givingtimetoresearchissuesorcandidates.Votersalsoreceiveanofficial
ballottocompleteandinsertintothesecurityenvelopethatisplacedintheballotreturn
envelopeandsignedbythevoter.Theballotreturnenvelopecanbestampedandmailedor
droppedoffatanyofficialdropboxacrossthestate.Ifavotercasttheirballotafterthe
Wednesdaybeforeanelection,theballotshouldbeleftatadropboxsitetoensureitis
counted.Ballotsmustbereceivedby8p.m.onElectionDay.
· Write-inVotes:Oregonvotershavetheoptionofwritinginthecandidateforeachoffice
insteadofvotingforacandidateprintedontheballot.Write-invotesaretalliedtogether
withalumpsumrecordedforeachofficeunlessthereisnocandidateontheballotorthe
totalnumberofwrite-invotesexceedsthecandidatewiththemostvotes.Acandidate
seekingnominationorelectiontoofficebywrite-indoesnotcompleteanycandidatefiling
formsbutmayberequiredtoestablishacampaignaccountandfileaStatementof
Organizationdesignatingacandidatecommittee.Ifanindividualisnominatedorelectedby
write-invotes,theElectionsDivisionnotifiesthecandidate.Toacceptthenominationor
office,thecandidatecompletes,signsandreturnsSEL141totheElectionsDivisionbythe
acceptancedeadlinedate.Uponreceiptofthecompletedandsignedformacertificateof
nominationorproclamationofelectionisissued.
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LWVStatePositions
LeagueofWomenVotersofCalifornia
InstantRunoff,alsoknownasRankedChoiceVoting
LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaStudyandAction:AGuidetoPublic
PolicyPositions2015-16(LWVofFloridaElectionLawPositions)
VoterRegistration
1.
Providewellidentifiedandwellpublicizedregistrationlocations.
2.
Establishpermanentand/ormovableregistrationlocationsthatareeasilyaccessible.
3.
Displayregistrationqualificationsprominently.
4.
Setregistrationhourstomeetcommunityneeds.
5.
Usedeputyregistrarsliberally.
6.
Registervotersasclosetoelectiondayasadministrativelyfeasible.
7.
Measureanynewtechniquesforregistrationagainstthefollowingcriteria:expense,
absenceofpartisaninfluence,availabilitytopoorlymotivatedcitizens,susceptibilitytofraud.
VotingProcess
1.
Provideclearandeasy-to-usewrite-inproceduresforallvotingsystems.
2.
Provideawritingimplement.
3.
Allowforpresidentialwrite-insbycandidatenameinsteadofelectornames.
4.
Maintainasimpleabsenteevotingprocedure.
5.
Issueanabsenteeballotinresponsetoasinglerequest.
6.
Disqualifyanabsenteevoteonlyiftheidentityofthevoterorintentofvoteisindoubt.
7.
Reducethenumberofelectionsandprovideforuniformschedulingincluding
municipalelections.(1984)
8.
RecommendinstantrunoffvotingasanalternativetoFlorida’spresentsystemof
pluralityvoting.(2007)
EqualAccess
1.
Allowphysicallyconfinedcitizenstoregisterandvote,includingcitizensinprisons
awaitingadjudication,non-felonsinprison,confinedmentalpatientsnotjudgedincompetent
andcitizensinnursinghomes,hospitals,etc.
2.
Restoreafelon’scivilrightsautomaticallywhenhis/herdebttosocietyispaid.
3.
Provideforkeepingvoterlistscurrentwithoutpenalizingthecitizenwhodoesnot
choosetovoteregularly.
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4.
Includeonregistrationidentificationcardsinstructionsonhowtochangename,
address,andpartyaffiliation.(1984)
PresidentialPrimary
Thepresidentialpreferenceprimaryballotshouldincludethenamesofthepresidential
candidates,notthenamesofthedelegatestoconvention.(1985)
MailBalloting
Ifballotingisbymail,thereshouldbemandatorymatchingofsignaturesandadequate
penaltiesforfraud.(1985)
LeagueofWomenVotersofMichigan–ElectionLaws
StatementofPositionoriginallyadopted1977;revisedandamended1984,1961,1993,1997,
completelyrevised2001;SectionIXrevised2003
LWVMIsupports:
I.
UniformityinMichigan’selectionlawsinregardto:
A. Simplificationoftheelectionprocessaccomplished,inpart,by
1. Combiningelectionscurrentlyheldatdifferenttimes.
2. HoldingallMichiganelectionsonthesamedayoftheweekorclosingallelectionsinthe
caseofextendedvotingperiods,onthesameday.
B. Consistencyofapplicationofelectionlawsinalljurisdictions.
C. Provisionstoensureaccuracyandsecurityinallaspectsoftheelectionprocess,and
privacyinvoting.
II.
Retentionofprimaryauthorityforadministeringtheelectionsystembylocalclerks
incooperationwithallelectionofficials.
III.
Provisionsforsufficientinformationonthelocationandsubstanceofeveryelection,
andpertinentregistrationandvotingproceduresanddeadlines.Theseshouldincludebutnot
belimitedto:
A. Standardized,easilyreadableidentificationofeachpollingplace;
B. Extensivenotificationinallmedia;
C. Generalavailabilityofsampleballots.
IV.
Provisionstoincreasetheeaseandaccessibilityofvoting,suchas:
A. Arequirementthateachvotingprecinctinthestateandeachabsenteeballothave
adequate,simple,legible,highlyvisibleinstructionsonusingthevotingdeviceandonwriteinvoting.
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
B. Provisionofanabsenteeballottoanyregisteredvoteruponrequest.
C. Ballotdesigntoenhanceaccuracyinvoting,withsafeguardsforensuringaccuracy,
security,andprivacy.
D. Useoftechnology,suchaselectronicvoting,withsafeguardsforensuringaccuracy,
security,andprivacy.
E. Accommodationforvoterswithdisabilitiesandspecialneeds.
V.
Theprinciplesofinitiative,referendum,andrecall.Requirementsforpetitionssuch
asthenumberofsignaturesshouldbesufficienttopreventfrivolousproposals,butnotso
highastodiscouragegrassrootseffortstoinitiatelegislation,toamendtheconstitutionorto
recallourelectedofficials.
VI.
Fairanduniformregulationbystatelawofallpoliticalpartiesincludingthose
proceduresrelatingtothenominationandelectionofcandidatesforpublicoffice.
A. Minorpoliticalpartiesareimportantinprovidingopportunitiesfortheexpressionof
diverseviews.Staterequirementsshouldallowminorpoliticalpartiestheopportunityto
participateintheelectionprocess.
B. Apoliticalpartymustdemonstrateitsviabilitythroughanapprovedmethodincluding,
butnotnecessarilylimitedto,petitionfilingorreceivingaspecifiedpercentageofthevotein
apreviousstategeneralelectioncontest.
VII.
Anopenprimarysystemforstateandlocalcandidatesforoffice,wherebyavoter
declarespoliticalpartyaffiliationonlyintheprivacyofthevotingbooth.
VIII.
Michigan’sparticipationinaregionalpresidentialprimary.
LWVofNewYork
(LWVofNewYorkStaterecentlydidastudyonprimaries,butdidnotreachconsensus.)
LWVofOhio
Ohiohasapartiallyopenprimary.Thissystempermitsvoterstocrosspartylines,butthey
musteitherpubliclydeclaretheirballotchoiceortheirballotselectionmayberegardedasa
formofregistrationwiththecorrespondingparty.IllinoisandOhiohavethissystem.
InaninterviewwiththeOhioStudyChairshecommentedthatpoliticalpartiesseetheopen
primaryasameansofrecruitingnewmembers.Iowaasksvoterstochooseapartyonthe
statevoterregistrationform,yetitallowsaprimaryvotertopubliclychangepartyaffiliation
forpurposesofvotingonprimaryElectionDay.Somestatepartieskeeptrackofwhovotesin
theirprimariesasameanstoidentifytheirbackers.
TheOhioLeagueofWomenVotersconductedaprimaryelectionsystemstudyfrom2015–
2017.Thestudyfocusedonelectionsystemswithabrieflookatprimaryelectionturnout.
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Theyalsolookedatmunicipalelectionsaswell.AsofFebruary2017Ohioconsensus
meetingswerejustbeginning.ConsensusresultswereprojectedtocompleteinSecond
Quarter2017.
SupervisorofElectionsInterviews
FloridaSupervisorsofElections(SOE)aredesignatedbyFloridalawtooverseeall
electionsintheircountyinaccordancewithFloridaelectioncode.SupervisorsofElectionsare
primarilyresponsibleforregisteringvoters,establishingvotingprecincts,andadministering
elections.Theyalsoeducatevotersandprovideguidancetocandidates.AlthoughtheSOE
officehassomelatitudeinadministrativefunctions,thelegislaturesetsallelectionpolicyand
laws.
TheLeagueofWomenVoterslocalleaguesconductedinterviewswiththeirCounty
SOEsaboutvariouselectionissues.TheSOEsweresenttheinterviewquestionsinadvance.
Twenty-fourSOEswereinterviewedinpersonandfiveSOEsbyphone.Theinterview
questionswereopenendedandrespondentswereallowedmultipleanswers.Thenumberof
SOEswhohadsimilaranswerstoaparticularquestionisnotedaftertheresponse.
VoterTurnout
AlthoughSupervisorsofElections(SOEs)mentionedthelackofcompetitiveraces,
ballotissues,andvoterapathyasthetopissuesthatnegativelyimpactedturnout,several
SOEsmentionedthatVote-by-MailandEarlyVotingseemedtoincreasevoterparticipation.In
2014,nearly77%ofallballotswerecastbymailinPinellasCounty.Vote-by-mailvotersalso
likedtheconvenienceofballotboxesplacedinstrategiclocationsandtheabilitytotracktheir
ballotsonline.SomeSOEscommentedthatVoterCenters,allmailballotsandonlinevoting
mightwarrantfurtherstudy.
WhileresearchingturnoutintheOpenPrimaryStudyTeamdiscoveredfivecountiesin
northwestFloridathathadbetterturnoutratesthantherestofthestate.Whenaskedabout
this,theSupervisorsofElectionsofthesecountiescitedthefollowingreasonswhytheyhad
highvoterturnout(>40%averageturnoutof2000-2014primaryelectionresults):
• Theircitizensviewedvotingasacivicduty
• Thecountiesaresmall;votersknowoneanotheranddiscusspoliticsatcommunity
events
• Thevotersknowthecandidatesandwanttosupportthembyvoting
LibertyCountyisoneofthosecountiesandtheirsuccessstoryisexplainedbySOE
GinaMcDowell.LibertyCountyhashadoneofthehighestpercentagesofvoterturnoutfor
primaryelectionssince2000,ofallcountiesintheStateofFlorida.In2014theirprimary
turnoutwas50%.Thereareapproximately4,500registeredvotersinthiscountyandturnout
isabout63%ingeneralelections.
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LibertyCountySupervisorofElectionsMs.McDowellattributesthelargevoterturnout
tothesmallpopulationofLibertyCountywheremanyoftheircitizensknowoneanotherand
takeprideintheircountyandtheirabilitytobeactivecitizens.Shesaidthevotersbelieveitis
theircivicdutytovote.TheSupervisorofElectionsofficeencouragesvoterparticipationby
advertisingtheelectionsearlyintheprocessbymailingsampleballotstothevoter’saddress,
publishingtheballotintheirlocalpaper,postingtheballotonFacebook,andspeakingdirectly
tolocalorganizations.
Additionally,LibertyCountyissmallenoughthattheirSOEcanpersonallyreachoutto
citizenstoadvertiseanddiscussupcomingvotingevents.Thispersonaltouchmaybethe
differencebetweenLibertyandlargerFloridaCounties.Ms.McDowellpersonallyspeaksto
civicorganizationstodiscussthetimelineofvotingeventsandanyvotereducationalissues
thatarerelevant.
Inafollow-upquestiononvotingpatternsMs.McDowellwasaskedaboutvoters
participatinginoneparty’sprimaryelectionthenvotingfortheotherpartyinageneral
election.ShesaidLibertyCountyvotersunderstoodtheregistrationprocess,knewthe
candidates,andvotedforthecandidatetheyfeltwouldbethebestchoiceineachelection.
Thisphenomenonwarrantsfurtherinvestigation.
ElectionDayRegistration(EDR)
Over95%ofSOE’sinterviewedwereagainstEDR.77%namedadministrative
planningchallengesandbalancingsecurityandaccessibilityasmajorproblems.Tohave
efficientelections,decisionsmustbemadeinadvanceastohowmanypollinglocationsare
needed,wheretheyshouldbelocated,howmanyvotingmachinesareneeded,howmany
ballotsshouldbeorderedandhowmuchstaffingisneeded.Itwouldbedifficulttomake
accuratedecisionswithsamedayregistration.Anyinaccuratedecisionsonevenoneofthese
variablesandFloridawillbeontheNationalNews.
Florida’scurrentregistrationsystemdoesnotallowtimetoproperlyprocessand
verifyavoter’sregistrationapplication.Staffwouldbetiedupforinordinateamountsoftime
whilevoterswillbestandinginlinewaitingfortheirturntovote.Moreprovisionalballots
wouldbeused.
CurrentlytwelvestatesandtheDistrictofColumbiaallowsamedayregistration.Three
morestateshavesamedayregistrationlawsthatwillbeimplementedin2017and18.In
ordertohavesamedayregistrationinFlorida,alawmustbepassedwithenoughfundingto
covernewsoftwarethatwouldaddresstheSupervisorsofElectionsconcernsandastatewide
trainingprogram.
Write-inCandidates
UnderFloridalaw,ifallcandidatesonaprimaryballothavethesamepartyaffiliation
andthewinnerwillhavenooppositioninthegeneralelection,thenallvotersmayvoteinthe
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primary.Statelawalsoallowscandidatestoqualifyaswrite-inseasily.Theyhavenopetition
requirements.Theypaynoheftyfeesliketraditionalcandidates.Politiciansdonotlikevoters
ofanotherpartyoraNoPartyAffiliation(NPA)votervotingintheirrace.Partiesfoundaway
tokeeptheirprimaryclosed-write-incandidates.
Toqualifyasawrite-incandidate,FloridaElectionStatutesstatethatwrite-in
candidatesmustfilewithinthequalifyingperiod.Itfurtherstates“Anypersonwhoisseeking
electionasawrite-incandidateshallnotberequiredtopayafilingfee,electionassessment,
orpartyassessment.Awrite-incandidateisnotentitledtohavehisorhernameprintedon
anyballot;however,spaceforthewrite-incandidate’snametobewrittenmustbeprovided
onthegeneralelectionballot.”Allapoliticianorpartyhastodotocloseaprimaryislocatea
supporter,friendorrelativetorunasawrite-incandidateandtheprimarywillbeclosed.
Thisisaseriousproblem.AJuly26,2016TampaBayTimesarticlereportedthatwriteinswereblockingfullvoterparticipationinsixFloridaSenatedistrictsand14Housedistricts
ontheAug.30,2016primaryballot,disenfranchising1.6millionvoters.Theresultcould
meantheelectionofcandidateswhohadamoreextremepointofview.Thearticlealsostated
thatelectionofficialsarefedupwithwrite-incandidatesandtherefusalofbothpartiesorthe
Legislaturetofixtheproblem."Thiswink-wink,nod-nodcausespeopletodistrustthe
process,"saidMikeErtel,SOEinSeminoleCounty."It'sgamesmanship.It'sbeengoingonfor
years,andhastochange."
TheOpenPrimaryStudyTeamwasinterestedinhowtheFloridaSOE’sviewedthis
loopholeandincludeditinthequestionnaire.AlthoughtheFloridaElectionLawdictates
electionsandtheSOEscanonlyfollowelectionstatutes,theyhadsomecommentsonthe
write-ins.Oneoftheirissueswithwrite-incandidatesisthetimingoftheirwithdrawalfrom
thegeneralelection.Manytimeswrite-incandidates,whoarerunningsothepartyprimary
wouldnotbeopenedtonon-partymembers,withdrewfromtheracebeforethegeneral
election.Alatewithdrawalcouldmeanthatthespaceforawrite-inwouldbeprintedonthe
ballot,perhapspushingotherracestothereversesideoftheballotortoasecondpage,which
causesconfusionandperhapsvoterstoaccidentallyomitarace.Itwassuggestedawrite-in
candidatebefinedifhewithdrawsaftertheprimary.OtherSOEssuggestedthepossibility
thatthewrite-inloopholecouldbeclosedorrequirementsstrengthenedthroughan
amendmentpassedatthe2018ConstitutionalRevisionCommissionwhereamendments
approvedbytheCommissionwouldgostraighttotheballotandbevoteduponbytheFlorida
electorate.
SupervisorofElectionsQuestionnaireDetailedResponses
1.
In2014FloridahadaverylowturnoutstatewideduringthePrimaryElections.
Whatdoyouthinkarethereasonsforthis?
·
Lackofcompetitiveraces-8responses
·
Ballotissues–7responses
·
Voterapathy–7responses
·
Mid-termelection–4responses
·
Turnedoffbypoliticiansandpoliticalprocess–2responses
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
·
Lackofvotereducation–2responses
·
Laxfinancelaws
·
Lossofpatriotism
·
Negativecampaigns
·
Votersarelesslikelytovoteifanissuedoesnotaffectthem
·
Singlememberrace
·
Robocalls
2.
HowmanyelectionsinyourcountyweredecidedbythePrimary?
·
Five
·
Four–3responses
·
Two–4responses
·
One
2a.Ofthose,howmanywereelectedwithlessthan50%ofthevote?
·
Three
·
Two
·
One
·
None–15
3.
Howareregisteredvotersinformedtheyareregisteredtovoteregardlessof
partyaffiliationorlackof(NPAs)inaUniversalPrimary?
Sampleballots–17responses
·
Newspaper–8responses
·
Multiplemediaoutlets–6responses
·
Pressreleases–3responses
·
Visithighschools–3responses
·
Electionguides–2responses
·
Publicserviceannouncements–2responses
·
Outreachactivities–2responses
·
SOEwebsites–2responses
·
Letters/informationcardsmailedtoregisteredvoters
·
Facebook
4.
ShouldtherebemorerequirementsforWrite-inCandidates?
·
Thischangewouldrequirelegislativeaction–7responses
·
Requirementsshouldbethesameasregularcandidates–4responses
·
ClosetheWrite-inloophole–2responses
·
Yesthereshouldbeadditionalrestrictions
·
Use2018ConstitutionalRevisiontoclosetheloophole
·
Write-inCandidatesshouldbepenalizediftheywithdrawaftertheprimary
5.
Whatwouldittakeyourofficetoimplementsamedayregistration?
·
Samedayregistrationwouldcauseplanningandlogisticalproblem–20responses
·
Achangeinstatelawwouldberequired–9responses
·
Samedayregistrationwouldresultinmoreprovisionalballots–3responses
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
·
Samedayregistrationcouldleadtofraud–2responses
·
Shortenthe29daybookclosingscheduleinsteadofinitiatingsamedayregistration.
6.Doyouthinksamedayregistrationwouldincreaseturnout?
·
No–7responses
·
Needastudy–5responses
·
Yes
7.
IsyourCountyElectionsstaffpreparedforon-linevoterregistration?
·
Weareready–8responses
8.
Whataretheadministrativeissuesassociatedwithimplementingthefollowing:
1.
TopTwoOpenPrimary
2.
InstantRunoffVoting(GeneralElection)
3.
InstantRunoffVotingPrimary
·
SOEcannotinitiatenewprimarymethods,theyrequirelegislativeaction–4responses
·
Ihavenotconsideredothertypesofprimaries–2responses
·
Wouldhaveadministrativechallenges
·
Alltheaboveoptionswouldbetooconfusing
·
Donotseeanyadministrativeproblemsfor#1TopTwoPrimary
·
#2InstantRunoffVotingPrimary’smainadministrativechallengewouldbeVoter
Education
·
BothInstantRunoffoptionscouldleadtovoterfraud
PoliticalPartyInterviews
PoliticalPartyLeaderInterviewResponses
TheLeagueofWomenVoterslocalleaguesconductedinterviewswiththeirCountyPolitical
Party Leaders about Open Primaries and various other election issues. Twenty-two party
leaders representing fourteen counties were interviewed. The interview questions were
open ended and respondents were allowed multiple answers. The number of leagues who
hadsimilaranswerstoaparticularquestionisnotedaftertheresponse.
1 Thereare21stateswithsomeformofOpenPrimaries.
AreyouinfavororopposedtoOpenPrimaries,ifso,why?
· Favor–10responses
· Somewhatopposed–3responses
· Opposed–7responses
2 Whatarethereasonsforlowvoterturnout?
· Apathy–8responses
·
Midtermelection–2
·
Sub-standardcandidates–1
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
2aHowcanturnoutbeimproved?
· Votereducation–11response
· VotebyMail–1response
· EarlyVoting–1response
3
HasyourpartytakenmeasurestoappealtoNoPartyAffiliationvoters(NPA)?
· NPAoutreach-11responses
· Notmuch–2responses
· Nothing-3responses
4Underwhatcircumstanceswouldyourpartynotfieldacandidateinadistrict?
· Alwayswillfieldacandidate–9responses
· Willnotfieldcandidateswhohavenochanceofwinning–3responses
· Willnotfieldunqualifiedcandidates–2responses
5 WhatisyouropinionofWrite-inCandidates?
· Opposed–7responses
· Neutral–2responses
· Favor–6responses
5aHowdoWrite-inCandidatesimpactelections?
· Stronglyimpactwhenusedtocloseprimaries–7responses
· Notmuchimpact–7responses
6
Isthereabenefittothepublicinprotectingatwopartysystem?
· Yes,thereismoreofabalance–11responses
· Nobenefit–5responses
· Yes,butthecurrentsystemneedsfixing–1response
7
Whatisyourparty’spositionontaxpayer-fundedprimariesforpoliticalparties?
· Fairtoallcandidates–7responses
· Notinfavor–2responses
· Privatecitizensshouldfund–2responses
· Republicancouldpay–1response
· LibertarianPartycouldnotaffordtopay–1response
· Governmentshouldnotpay-1
8Wouldtherebeariskofpoliticalmanipulationifprimarieswereopen?
· Yes,therewouldbearisk–15
· Somerisk–5
· Norisk-1
9Therehasbeenasignificantdecreaseinpartymembershipinthe18to25age
group.Whyisthisoccurring?
· Millennialsaredisenchantedtowardpolitics&2partysystem–2responses
· Millennialsvoteforthecandidatenotbecauseofaparty–3responses
· Millennialsareinterestedinissuesthatcrosspartylines-2responses
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
9aHowcanyourpartyappealtoyoungvoters?
· AddressissuesimportanttoMillennials–15responses
· InitiateprogramsthatinvolveMillennials–5responses
· Providevoterandelectioneducation–2responses
10Areyouinfavorofsamedayregistration?
· Favorssamedayregistration–12responses
· Opposedtosamedayregistration–8responses
· Needstobemonitored–5responses
CountyPoliticalLeaderPerspectives
Openprimaries,excludingopentounaffiliatedvotersprimaries,permitanyregisteredvoter
toavoteinaprimary,regardlessofhisorherpoliticalaffiliation.ThismeansthataDemocrat
could"crossover”andcastavoteintheRepublicanprimaryorviceversa,andanunaffiliated
votercanchooseeithermajorparty'sprimary.Openprimariesoropenprimaryhybridsare
legalin39states.FloridaisaClosedPrimarystatethatonlyallowsvoterswhoareregistered
with a political party prior to the primary date to vote for candidates in that party. Voters
whohavenopronouncedaffiliationarenotallowedtovoteinclosedprimaryelections.
Political Parties generally are opposed to Open Primary because they feel Open Primaries
diminishtheabilityoftheirpartytochooseitscandidates,andleadstoalossofpartycontrol.
Asonepartyleaderstated“Ibelievethebettersolutionistomakeallpartyprimariestotally
closedalongwithnotallowingindiscriminatechangeofpartyregistrationduringthatelection
cycle. Why should a presumably partisan Democrat, Republican, or other/independent be
allowedtohaveavoiceinchoosingthecandidateofanotherpoliticalparty?“
Of the party leaders the league interviewed, 10 “favored” an Open Primary system, 3 were
“somewhatopposed”and7were“opposed.”9ofthe10leaderswhofavoredopenprimaries
weredemocrats,while6oftheleaderswhoopposedOpenPrimarieswereRepublicans.Itis
interestingtonotethat8otherDemocraticleadersthoughttherewouldbeariskofpolitical
manipulationifprimarieswereopen.6Republicansthoughtopenprimarieswouldberisky.
Seetablesfordetails.
Page48
LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
OpenPrimaryViewpointbyPoliticalParty
Party
Favor
SomewhatOpposed
Democratic
9
3
Republican Libertarian
1
Total
10
Opposed
TotalbyParty
12
6
6
1
2
7
20
3
OpenPrimaryElectionRiskofPoliticalManipulationbyParty
Yes
Some
Risk
NoRisk
Totalby
Party
Democratic
8
5
1
14
Republican
6
6
Libertarian
1
1
Total
15
5
2
21
Party
VoterOutreach
If a voter in Florida does not want to register with a major party, he/she has the option to
registerwithseveralminorpartiesorNoPartyAffiliation(NPA).Duringthepastfewyears
votershaveincreasinglybecomedissatisfiedwiththemajorpartiesandhavebeenregistering
withNoPartyAffiliation.24%ofFloridavoterswereregisteredasNPAasofNovember2016.
While NPAs can vote in general elections and Universal primaries, they cannot vote in a
PrimarybecauseFloridaisaclosedprimarystate.
Party Leaders were asked if they have taken measures to win back their former voters.
Democrats and Libertarians mentioned they are or would be reaching out to NPAs and
millennials. One Republican county said that they are beginning a series of 6 or more voter
information events that will be “more personal”, devoted to topics like the first amendment
and foreign policy. This local party is also targeting the NPAs and inviting them to
neighborhoodevents.
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
ReachouttoNoPartyAffiliationVoters(NPAs)byParty
NPA
Outreach
NotMuch
Nothing
Totalby
Party
Democratic
5
2
2
9
Republican
4
1
5
Libertarian
2
2
Total
11
2
3
16
Party
There has been a significant decrease in in the 18 to 25 age group and Party leaders were
asked why they think this is occurring and how the parties plan to appeal to young voters.
Every Democratic county leader the league interviewed said they needed to address
millennial issues. But only one Republican leader and one Libertarian leader thought they
needed to attract millennials in this manner. Four Democratic leaders and one Republican
leaderthoughtinitiatingprogramsthatwouldappealtoyoungpeoplewouldhelp.
HowWouldYourPartyIncreaseMillennialParticipation
Address
Millennial
Issues
Initiate
Millennial
Programs
Voter
Education
Totalby
Party
Democratic
13
4
1
18
Republican
1
1
1
3
Libertarian
1
1
Total
15
5
2
22
Party
Write-InCandidates
Under Florida law, if all the candidates on the ballot have the same party affiliation and the
winnerwillhavenooppositioninthegeneralelection,allvotersareallowedtocastballotsin
theprimary.PoliticiansdonotlikeallowingvotersofanotherpartyoraNPAvotingintheir
raceandhavefoundawaytokeeptheirprimaryclosedbyusingasimpletool,namelywriteincandidates.
Statelawallowscandidatestoqualifyaswrite-inswithfewqualifications.Write-incandidates
don’thavetogatherpetitionsignaturesorpayheftyfeesliketraditionalcandidates.Toqualify
as a write-in candidate, Florida Election Statutes state that write-in candidates must file
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
withinthequalifyingperiod.Itfurtherstates“Anypersonwhoisseekingelectionasawrite-in
candidateshallnotberequiredtopayafilingfee,electionassessment,orpartyassessment.A
write-in candidate is not entitled to have his or her name printed on any ballot; however,
space for the write-in candidate’s name to be written must be provided on the general
electionballot.”Write-insmakeiteasytogamethesystem.Allapoliticianorpartyhastodo
tocloseaprimaryislocateasupporter,friendorrelativetorunasawrite-incandidateand
the primary will be closed. Seven Democratic county leaders oppose write-in candidates,
whilenoneoftheRepublicancountyleadersopposedthepractice.
Although write-in candidates rarely win an election they can impact the election process by
forcingaClosedPrimary.
Write-InCandidateOpinionsbyParty
Opposed
Neutral
Favor
Totalby
Party
Democratic
7
5
12
Republican
1
1
2
Libertarian
1
1
Total
7
2
6
15
Party
ElectionDayRegistration
Florida Stakeholders have different views in regard to Same Day Registration. Both
DemocraticcountypartyleadersandmillennialsareinfavorofSameDayRegistration.Over
70% of millennials who responded to the Survey the League sent out favored Same Day
Registration.Butover95%oftheSupervisorsofElectionsinterviewedwereagainstSameDay
Registration. Why the difference in opinion? It is the Supervisor of Elections’ job to
administer the elections and 77% of the Supervisors named administrative planning
challenges,balancingsecurityandaccessibilityasmajorproblems.
Florida’scurrentregistrationsystemdoesnotallowthetimetoproperlyprocessandverifya
voter’sregistrationapplicationinformation.InordertohavesamedayregistrationinFlorida,
a law must be passed with enough funding to cover new software that would address the
Supervisors of Elections concerns and a statewide training program for all staff and
volunteers who would be involved in Same Day Registration. It can be done with the right
resources; currently twelve states and the District of Columbia allow same day registration.
Threemorestateshavesamedayregistrationlawsthatwillbeimplementedin2017and18.
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
ElectionDayRegistrationOpinionbyParty
Favor
Oppose
Closely
Monitored
Democratic
12
1
4
17
Republican
7
1
8
Libertarian
0
12
8
5
25
Party
Total
Totalby
Party
ElectionSystemsExpertsResponsestoLWVFQuestionnaires
Thisreportisasummaryofselectedelectionsystemexperts’responsestothequestions
below.Additionally,statementsfromtheirpublicationsareincludedtogivethereader
additionalinformation.
1.
Whatdoyoubelievearetheprimaryreasonsforlowvoterturnoutinprimary
elections?
•
Peopledon’tcareaboutpoliticsandprimaryelections(exceptpresidentialprimaries)
•
Primariesgetlesspublicity,havelessadvertisingandvotersdonotknowcandidates.
•
NPAsandthirdpartyregisteredvotersarenotallowedtoparticipateinFlorida.
•
Highcostofcampaigns,lowinformationvoters,weakpartisanattachments
•
Publicfinancingofcampaigns
•
Turnoutdrivenbynewsworthinessandtopofticketdynamics
•
Primariesarehyper-partisanbattlesbetweencandidatesthatrarelygivevoterstrue
choices
•
Disgustwithhyper-partisanshipinWashington
•
Millennialsdon’tbuyintopartybeliefsystems;don’tseeanycompellingreasontojoin
•
Pluralityvotingturnsoffvotersthatdon’tidentifywitheithermajorparty
2.
a.Whatchangesinelectionlaw(ortheFloridaConstitution)wouldyou
recommendtoimprovevoterturnoutintheprimaries?
b.Whatothersuggestionsdoyourecommendtoimprovevoterturnout?
•
Openprimariesoratoptwosystem.
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
•
Changetheconstitutionsothatwrite-incandidateswouldnotcloseaprimarywhen
onlyonemajorpartyisfieldingcandidates.
•
Don’tnecessarilyagreethatimprovingvoterturnoutshouldbethegoal;bettervoter
accessibilityshouldbethegoalsoeveryonecanvoteforcandidates,regardlessofparty
affiliation(Believesthiswouldrequiredaconstitutionalamendment)
•
More/bettereffortsbynewsmediaand3rdpartygroup(LWVF)toinformvotersabout
thecandidatesandissues.
•
ProportionalRepresentationtypeelectionstendtoimproveturnout
•
Opt-outvoterregistration(Automaticregistrationatage18)
•
AlthoughtheNationalConferenceofStateLegislatureswasnotabletorespondto
somequestionsbecauseoftheirnon-partisanobjectivebasedanalysis,theydidoffer
thefollowingcomments.“Turnoutisaffectedbymanyvariables,mostofwhicharenot
theresultofelectionadministrationpolicydecisions.”Theycitecivicculture,
demographics,competitiveraces,ballotmeasures,andgetoutthevoteeffortsas
positivecontributorstoturnout.Theydorecommendfourspecificactionsthatstate
havetakenandcantake:(1)EarlyVoting;(2)Samedayregistration;(3)VoteCenters;
and(4)Electionconsolidation.
3.
DoyouthinkvoterregistrationshouldtakeplaceonElectionDayatthepolls?
Yes,allexpertsagreed–Itwouldincreaseturnout
4.
HaveyoustudiedallowingchangingpartyaffiliationonElectionDay?Ifso,what
wereyourfindings?
•
Expertshavenotstudiedthisquestionbutnotedthatmanystateswithopenprimaries
donoteventrackregistrationbyparty.
•
OneexpertflatsaidNOtochangingpartyaffiliationonElectionDay
5.
Someexpertsthinkthetechnologytoallowon-linevotingisnotsufficiently
securetopreventvotermanipulation.Doyouconcurwiththatassessment?Whyor
whynot?
•
Twoexpertscitedsecurityofthesystemandthelackofapapertrailasconcerns
•
Oneexperthadnoexpertopinion
•
Oneexpertexpressedconcernoversociologicalissuesi.e.canleadtoamore
disconnectedcommunity;notasconcernedwithon-linevoting
6.
Givenachoiceofthefollowingprimaryelectiontypes,whichwouldyouchooseto
improvevoterturnoutandwhy?
a. OpenPrimary
b. Closedprimary–Oneexpertfavorsretentionofaclosedprimarytoaidinstrengthening
parties
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
c. Hybrid(AllNPAvoterscanparticipate)
d. TopTwo–Twoexpertsfavorthismethod;oneisaTopTwoadvocate
e. InstantRunoffVoting–OneexpertadvocatesforIRV
f. Other(Please,specify.)–OneexpertadvocatesforApprovalVoting
•
OneexpertprefersTopTwobecauseitsimplyforwardsthetwomostpopular
candidatestothegeneralelection.
•
OneTopTwoExpertbelievesthat“open”primariesareunconstitutionalbecausethey
requireapprovalofpartiestoparticipateinprimaries.Thisexpertbelievesinstant
runoffvotingallowstoomanygamestobeplayed
•
Oneexpertstatesthatallopenprimaryelectiontypescontinuetheuseofplurality
votingwhichresultsinwinnerswithlowvotepercentages.Hefurtherstatesthat
primarysystemslikeTopTwoachievemajorityvoteresultinanartificialmanner(Ex:
WhynotTopThree,etc.)
•
EricMcGhee(PublicPolicyInstituteofCalifornia)postedaBlogonNovember10
highlightingTopTworesultsoverthethreeelectioncycles(2012,2014,2016).His
preliminaryanalysisindicatesthatsamepartygeneralelectionracesoccurredin17%
oftheraces.Preliminaryresultsindicatethatover1.1millionskippedvotingindown
ballotsinglepartyracescomparedtopresidentialvotes.Competitivecrosspartyraces
fellfrom18%in2012to11%in2016indicatingpartiesandcandidatesarefiguring
outtheeffectsofredistrictingin2011.McGheesaidthedynamicofmoderate
candidateswinningovermoreextremecompetitorshadstartedtoimproveinthe
DemocraticPartybutnotbetweenRepublicancandidates.
7.
Whatotherinsightsorrecommendationscanyouprovideusabouttheprimary
electionsystem?
•
Over25%ofFloridavotersnotregisteredwitheithermajorparty;Manystatedistricts
areheavilyRepublicanorDemocratic;thisdisenfranchisesvotersfromotherparties,
FloridashouldgotoanOpenPrimaryorTopTwosystem.
•
Politicalpartiesareessentialtodemocracy.Accordingtooneexperttheyarealready
weakenedbycampaignfinancelawsthatcreatePACsandSuperPACsasanalternative
topoliticalparties.Openprimarieswouldfurtherunderminepoliticalparties,which
wouldbedamagingtoourdemocracy.Theotherexpertsdidnotsharethisview.
•
Mostcountriesdon’thaveprimaries.Oneexpertadvocatesforapprovalvotinginthe
generalelection,eliminatingataxpayer-fundedprimary.Partiescouldholdtheir
privatecaucuses,primaries,conventions,etc.
•
TheIRVexpertadvocateoffersanothersolution:TopFour.TheTopTwoprimary
becomesaTopFourthatadvancetothegeneralelection.IRVisappliedtothegeneral
electiontoselectthewinner.Thefourcandidatesthatadvancewouldlikelyinclude
DemocratandRepublicancandidatesandpossiblythirdpartycandidatesgivingvoters
morechoiceinthegeneralelection.TopFourwouldre-instateaprimarythus
eliminatingoneofthereasonsforIRV.
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
OtherStateLWVInterviewReport
SixLWVLeaguesfromotherstates,onecity,andonecountyleaguewereprovideda
questionnairetocomplete.Theywerealsocontactedviaphoneforfollow-uptothe
questionnaireswherepossible.Leagueswereselectedtoberepresentativeofelectiontypes.
Insomecases,informationwasobtainedfrompriorleaguestudieswhenleagueswere
unavailableviatelephoneordidnotcompletethequestionnaire.
RationaleforSelectiontoStudy
Arizonaisoneof9statesfeaturingaprimaryopentounaffiliatedvoters.Unaffiliatedvoters
maychoosewhichparty'sprimarytheywillvotein,butvotersregisteredwithapartycan
onlyvoteinthatparty'sprimary.TheArizonaLeagueofWomenVoterssupportsInstant
RunoffVoting(RankedChoiceVoting)
Californiaisoneof4TopTwoOpenPrimarystates.TheystartedusingTopTwointheJune
2012election.
Michiganisoneof15openprimarystates.Inthe2014electiontheyranked17thinvoter
turnout.Itisoneofthelargeststatesthatusetheopenprimaryelectiontype.
Minneapolis,whilenotastate,featurestheInstantRunoffVoting(IRV)(RankedChoiceVoting
(RCV))election.RCVwasapprovedin2006withplanninguntil2009whentheyheldtheir
firstRCVelection.
NewYorkStateisoneof9states(includingFlorida)featuringaclosedprimary.TheNew
YorkCityLeagueofWomenVoterssupportsInstantRunoffVoting.
http://www.lwvny.org/programs-studies/ballot-access/2014/Final-Ballot-Access-StudyGuide.pdf
Ohioisoneof6statesfeaturingapartiallyopenprimary.Votersmaychoosethe
oppositionpartyballotbutinsodoingbecomeregisteredwiththeoppositionparty.TheOhio
LeagueofWomenVotersisconductingastudyofprimaryelectionsystemssimilartoour
study.
OregonisconsideredaclosedprimarystatebyNCSL.HowevertheOregonSecretary
ofState’sofficeverifiedtheirstatusasapartiallyclosedprimarystate.PoliticalPartiesmay
choosetoopentheirprimariestounaffiliatedvoters.Votersregisteredwithadifferentparty
maynotparticipateinthe“open”primaryoftheotherparty.Oregonisconductingastudy
similartoourFloridastudy.
PierceCountyWashingtonexperimentedwithInstantRunoffVotingin2009.Pierce
CountywasselectedforstudybecauseitdroppedthemethodinfavororthestatewideTop
TwoOpenPrimaryafteroneelectioncycle
Page55
LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
OtherStateLeagueQuestionnaireandResponses
GeneralQuestions
1.
Whathasbeenthevoterturnoutpercentageinbothprimaryandgeneral
electionssince2004?
Primary
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
Note#2
Florida
17.7
22.0
20.5
17.6
24.0
VRP
Arizona
23.0
30.0
28.0
27.0
29.1
VRP
California
28.2
33.3
31.1
25.2
47.7
VRP
Michigan
19.8
23.0
21.0
18,1
20.1
VRP
Minneapolis
20.0
N/A
33.0
N/A
Note#1 VRP
NewYork
3.0
12.0
5.0
10.0
19.7
VRP
Ohio
46.0
22.6
25.5
17.0
43.7
VRP
Oregon
58.2
41.6
39.0
35.9
54.0
VRP
PierceCounty Turnoutsnotcomparableduetomultiplechangesinprimary
WA
electionsystemchangesfrom2008to2012
NOTE#1:Minneapolismunicipalelectionsareheldeveryfouryears.The2008columnabove
is2009formunicipalelections.The2012columnisfor2013municipalelections.
2.
Howisvoterturnoutpercentagecalculated(e.g.VoterEligiblePopulation(VEP),
VoterAgePopulation(VAP),orregisteredvoterpopulation(VRP)
NOTE#2:Seethetableentryintheabovetableforcalculationmethod
3.
Whatarethemajorreasonsforlow(high)voterturnoutinprimaryelections?
Listfrommostimportanttoleastimportant
SchedulingaprimaryduringsummermonthswithAugustbeingmentionedspecifically
causeslowturnout.Competitiveracesincreaseturnout.Exclusivevote-by-mailhasbeen
implementedinthreestates.Otherstatesareintheprocessofseekinglegislationtochangeto
exclusivevote-by-mail.Visibleelectioninformationandconvenienceofvotinghelpboost
turnout
Apathyofvotersdecreasesturnout.Aracewherethereiscompetitionwithno
incumbentimprovesturnout.DepartmentofMotorVehicleson-lineregistrationprovides
vehicletoincreaseturnout
Oneinterviewedstatefeaturesautomaticregistrationatage18.Anindividualhas21
daystodecidetoopt-out,selectapoliticalparty,orbecomeregisteredautomaticallyasanonaffiliatedvoter.
Gerrymanderingwasmentionedbyonestateasareasonforlowvoterturnout.
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
4.
WhatstepshasyourLeaguetakentoincreasevoterturnout?Listfrommost
effectivetoleasteffective
OneinterviewedLeaguevisitshighschoolsandcommunitycollegestohighlight
registrationforthosestudentsturning18inanelectionyear.Anotherleaguehighlightedthat
allcountyandcityleaguesdodifferentthings;noneareviewedasveryeffective,given
turnoutnumberscapturedinQuestion#1
Interviewedleaguesprovidevoterinformation(VoterGuides)andholdcandidate
meetings.OnestatehighlightedthattheirpollsareopenalldaySaturdayand4hourson
SundayforEarlyVotingupto30dayspriortoElectionDay.Onestatehasnoearlyvoting.
Coordinationwithotherorganizationsinvoterregistrationwasmentionedbutnopositive
effectwasobserved.
5.
HaveyouseenasignificantlylowerturnoutinPrimaryElectionsbyMillennials?
(Age18–34in2015)"
Severalstatesindicatedthatagedatawasnotcollectedtoassessmillennialturnout.
Oneinterviewedstate’slawrequiresfirsttimevoterstovoteinpersonmakingitchallenging
forcollegestudentstovote.AccordingtotheCenterforInformationandResearchonCivic
LearningandEngagementonly23.9%ofvotersage18-29votedinonestatein2010.Voters
age30andaboveturnedoutat54%.
6.
Whatarethemajorreasonsforlow/highmillennialvoterturnout?Listfrom
mostimportanttoleastimportant.
Onestatedoesnothavenoexcuseabsenteevoting.Anotherstatecitedpre-occupation
withpersonallifeandcynicismaboutvotingasareasonforlowmillennialturnout
Convenienceofvotingaidsturnout.IDRequirementsareaproblemespeciallyforcollege
students
7.
Haveyoustudiedalternativeelectionsystems?Ifso,whatarethemajorfindings
ofyourstudy?
(PierceCountyWA)www.lwvwa.org/studies.html2000-AnEvaluationofMajor
ElectionMethods,2002–VotingInsideandOutsidetheBoxPartII.PositionsonElection
MethodsfromStudies–page15,
http://www.lwvwa.org/pdfs/Program%20In%20Action%202015%20-%202017.pdf
Oregon’sLWVwebsiteprovidesalinktoanupdateoftheir2008electionsystems
study.TheyareconductingaprimaryelectionsystemstudythatwillconcludeinApril–May
2017.http://lwvor.org/election-methods-study-update-2016/
OhioisinprocessofconductingaPrimaryElectionSystemstudytobecompletedin
April–May2017.Thefollowinglinkprovidesastudyguideandconsensusquestions
http://www.lwvohio.org/site.cfm/Member-Area/League-Studies.cfm
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
8.
PEWResearchCenterestimates45percentofvotersareregisteredasnoparty
affiliation(NPA).GiventhesignificantincreaseinNPAvotersdoyoubelieveachangeto
anopenstylenon-partisanprimaryelectionsystemshouldoccur?
Oneleaguesaidyestothequestion.Theotherleagueshadnostatedposition.
9. HowdoyouhandleWrite-Incandidatesinyourprimaryelection?Generalelection?
Primary:(PierceCountyWA);PierceCountynowparticipatesinWashingtonStates
TopTwoprimary.Ifawrite-incandidatereceivesatleast1%ofthevotescastintheprimary
andthatpersonisoneofthetoptwovotegetterstheymaybeonthegeneralelectionballot.
TheonlyMichiganrequirementisthatawrite-incandidatemustfileadeclarationofintent.If
thecandidatedoesnotdeclarevotesarenotcounted.
(General:PierceCountyWA)tabulationofthetotalnumberofwrite-invotesforany
personismadepublic
InstantRunoffVotingQuestions
Minneapolisdidnotprovidearesponsetothequestionnairebutprovidedextensive
historyoftheirimplementationofIRV.
http://vote.minneapolismn.gov/rcv/rcv-history
10.
WhathasbeenvoterreactiontoIRV?
PositiveinMinneapolis.ApollconductedbyMinneapolisPublicRadiofoundthat90%
ofvotersindicatedthattheysuccessfullyvotedusingthenewRankedChoicevotingmethodin
2009.
NegativeinPierceCountyWA.VotersrejectedIRVafteroneelectioncycle.The
Tacoma/PierceCountyLWVsaidtheyinitiallythoughtIRVwouldbebetterthantheTopTwo
OpenPrimarythatwasfirstusedin2008.WashingtonStatehadbeenusingtheBlanket
PrimaryelectionmethoduntilitwasdeclaredunconstitutionalbytheUSSupremeCourt.
“Whenanunexpected(less-qualified)candidatewontheAssessor-TreasurerPositionvoters
decidedtousethestatewideTopTwoOpenPrimaryinthefuture.
11.
WhatcostshasyourcityincurredtoimplementandsustainIRVcomparedto
yourpriorsystem?
One-TimeStartup :PierceCounty-$1.7to$2.0million
Noequipmentandsoftwareupgradecostsincludedbecauseballotswerehandcounted
Recurring:Noestimategiven
One-TimeStartup:Minneapolis-$122,895
Recurring:Minneapolis-$242,027
TheMinneapolisamountsdonotincludeIRVequipment,software,andstaffsalaries
formunicipalworkershavingtoworkovertime.
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
QuestionforPierceCountyWashingtonState.
12. WhatarethemajorreasonsforrejectingIRVafterinitiallyadoptingIRV?Listthe
topthree
Reason#1:Anunexpected(less-qualified)candidatewontheAssessor-Treasurer
PositionandvotersoptedtousethestatewideTopTwoOpenPrimaryforfutureelections.
Reason#2:Delayinobtainingresultsofindividualelections(NOTE:Votingequipment
wasnotcapableofhandlingIRVtabulationsoPierceCountyhadtousehandcountingto
determinewinners.
QuestionsforCaliforniaTopTwoOpenPrimary
13.
DidyourLeaguefavororopposetheTopTwoinitiativethatpassedin2010?
Why?
TheCaliforniaLeagueofWomenVoterspositionisasfollows:“Supportelection
systemsforexecutiveandothersingleseatoffices,bothatthestateandlocallevels,that
requirethewinnertoreceiveamajorityofthevotes,aslongasthemajorityisachievedusing
avotingmethodsuchasInstantRunoffVoting,ratherthanasecond,separaterunoffelection.-
Seemoreat:https://lwvc.org/position/election-systems-sthash.KUJ59TR1.dpuf
14.
WhathasbeentheTopTwoeffectonelectingmoremoderate(bi-partisan)
candidates?
InaNovember2016BlogEricMcGheeofthePublicPolicyInstituteofCaliforniaofferedthe
followingassessmentofTopTworesults.“Same-partyraceswereinpartexpectedtopromote
contestsbetweenthemoderateandliberal/conservativewingsofeachparty.Itisnotclear
thatthishashappenedmuchontheRepublicanside,buttherearetypicallyseveralsamepartyconteststhatfeaturethisdynamicontheDemocraticside.Inthiselectioncycle,mostof
thesecontestswerewonbythemoremoderate,business-backedDemocrat.”
15.
InyourUSCongressionalandstatelegislatureraceshowmanyhavebeensingle
partyinthegeneralelection(numberandpercent)?
InaNovember2016BlogEricMcGheecomparedstatewideracesineachelectionyear.
Therewerealso27(17.6%)down-ballotsame-partyracesinthiscycle,inlinewith25(16%)
in2014and28(12%)in2012.Theshareofcross-partyracesdecidedbynarrow(<10%)
marginsfellfrom18%in2012to15%in2014tojust11%thisyear.Oneoftheoutcomesof
downballotsamepartyracesisthatover1millionvotersskippedvoteswhencomparing
ballotscastforPresidentversusballotscastinsamepartyraces.McGhee’scautionisthat
interestingdynamicsareoccurringanditisearlyintheevolutionofTopTwo.
GeneralQuestion
16.
Isthereanythingyoucantellusthatwouldhelpuswiththestudy?
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
Michiganpassedlegislationeliminatingthestraightticketvotemeaningthatvoters
willnolongerbeabletocheckaboxindicatingtheyvoteforALLcandidatesforoffice.LWVMI
believesthiswillincreasewaitingtimeforvotingbecauseavotermustmarktheirpreference
ineachindividualrace.FromMichigan’swebsitetheirstatedpositiononprimaryelectionsis
“Anopenprimarysystemforstateandlocalcandidatesforoffice,wherebyavoterdeclares
politicalpartyaffiliationonlyintheprivacyofthevotingbooth.“
“TheOregonLeaguesupportsenablinglegislationtoallowlocaljurisdictionstoexplore
alternativeelectionmethods(e.g.instant-runofforfullfusionvoting).Ifalocaljurisdiction
adoptsanalternativeelectionmethod,thatjurisdictionshouldbearthecostsofstartupand
votereducation.Onlyafterexperienceandevaluationatthelocallevelshouldthestate
consideralternativeelectionmethodsforstatewideadoption.“http://lwvor.org/wpcontent/uploads/2015/12/Election-Methods-Study-Update-2016-10-17-1.pdf
TheLeagueofWomenVotersofArizonadidnotprovideaquestionnaireresponsebutthey
haveanupdatedLeagueposition:Consensus2005;Amended2008:TheArizonaLeague
believesintheelectionsystemprincipleofgreatervoterepresentation.TheLWVAZmaintains
thatelectionsystemreformthatprovidesastrongervoiceforthegreatestnumberofvoters
shouldhaveapositiveeffectonvoterparticipation.
Therefore,theLWVAZsupportschangingthepresentelectionsystemssothatthey
moreaccuratelyrepresentthewishesofvoters:
•
AdoptingtheInstantRunoffVoting(IRV)systemforsingleseatraces;
•
Adoptingproportionalrepresentationformulti-seatraces,specificallyRankedChoice
Voting.Believesthateducationofthevotingpublicisimportanttoelectionsystems.
•
SupportsgivingArizonavoterstheoptionofmorechoiceamongelectionsystems
Conclusions
Whatcanweconcludeafter21monthsofresearch,discovery,andutteramazementat
thewayvotershavetonavigateendlessrulesandbarriersjusttoexercisetheirconstitutional
righttovote?Thechallengesof2016canbefollowedbypositiveactionsin2017andbeyond.
ThestudycommitteeandleaguemembersfromtheKeystoPensacolaandinbetweenmade
significantcontributionstothisstudy.
Thereisnomagicalcureforlowvoterturnoutbuttherearestepswe,andothers,can
taketomakesignificantimprovement.Somestepsrequirepoliticalpartiesandprospective
candidatesforofficetomakeadifference.Businessasusualisnottheanswer.Boldactions
mustbetakentofixourDemocracy.Noneoftheproposedactionsinthisstudywillbeeasy.
Consensuswon’tbeeasy.Considerthefactsbelowinyourconsensusdeliberations.
• Candidatequality,competitiveraces,andballotinitiativesaretopreasonsvoters
turnout,excludingPresidentialPreferencePrimaries.
• Floridalagsbehind76%ofstateswithopentypeelectionsystems.
• Floridaprimaryelectionturnouthasaveragedlessthan23%from2008through2016
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
Ina2012reporttheBipartisanPolicyCentersaid,“...theinescapableconclusiontobe
drawnfromthepreponderanceofthedataisthatopenandmodifiedopenprimarieshave
modestlyhigherturnoutthanclosedprimaries”
• Floridaexcludesover3.4million(27%)votersfromvotinginclosedpartyprimaries
unlesstheyaffiliatewithaparty
• NPAvotershaveincreasedbyover1.2millionvoterssince2004(64%)
• Over70%ofmillennialswanttovoteforacandidateoftheirchoice
• SupervisorsofElections(SOEs)opposeElectionDayRegistration(EDR)
• Experts,advocatesandmillennialssupportEDRasaneffectivesteptoimproved
turnout
• SOEssupportVoteCenterstoeliminateshowingupatthewrongprecinct
• SOEs,experts,andadvocatessupportclosingthewrite-incandidateloophole
• Inthe2016FloridaPrimary,thewrite-incandidateloopholeexcludedfullvoter
participationinsixSenatedistrictsand14Housedistrictsdisenfranchising1.6million
voters
• TheFloridaAssociationofSupervisorsofElectionsfavorsColorado’sprocessfor
exclusivevotebymailthuseliminatingtherequirementtovoteinperson
• Partyleaderssplit50/50insupportoforoppositiontoopenprimaries
• NoneofsixstatesinterviewedforthisstudysupportaTopTwoprimary
• NostatehasimplementedInstantRunoffVotingbut11citieshave
• Openstyleprimariesrequirevoterstoselectapartyballoteliminatingvoterchoice
acrosspartylinesonarace-by-racebasis
ThechoiceswemakeinFloridacanserveasatemplateforotherstatestoempowertheir
votersand“FixOurDemocracy”.
AppendixA–StateandPresidentialElectionSystems(38)
•
ClosedPrimaryStates:Ingeneral,avoterseekingtovoteinaclosedprimary
mustfirstbearegisteredpartymember.Typically,thevoteraffiliateswitha
partyonhisorhervoterregistrationapplication.Thissystemdeters“crossover”votingbymembersofotherparties.Independentorunaffiliatedvoters,by
definition,areexcludedfromparticipatinginthepartynominationcontests.This
systemgenerallycontributestoastrongpartyorganization.
Delaware
Florida
Kentucky
Maryland
Nevada
NewMexico
NewYork
Oregon*
Pennsylvania
PartiallyClosedStates:Inthissystem,statelawpermitspoliticalpartiestochoose
whethertoallowunaffiliatedvotersorvotersnotregisteredwiththepartytoparticipatein
theirnominatingcontestsbeforeeachelectioncycle.Inthistypeofsystem,partiesmayletin
unaffiliatedvoters,whilestillexcludingmembersofopposingparties.Thissystemgivesthe
partiesmoreflexibilityfromyear-to-yearaboutwhichvoterstoinclude.Atthesametime,it
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
cancreateuncertaintyaboutwhetherornotcertainvoterscanparticipateinpartyprimaries
inagivenyear.
Alaska
Oklahoma
Connecticut
SouthDakota
Idaho
Utah
NorthCarolina
PartiallyOpenStates:Thissystempermitsvoterstocrosspartylines,buttheymust
eitherpubliclydeclaretheirballotchoiceortheirballotselectionmayberegardedasaform
ofregistrationwiththecorrespondingparty.IllinoisandOhiohavethissystem.Iowaasks
voterstochooseapartyonthestatevoterregistrationform,yetitallowsaprimaryvoterto
publiclychangepartyaffiliationforpurposesofvotingonprimaryElectionDay.Somestate
partieskeeptrackofwhovotesintheirprimariesasameanstoidentifytheirbackers
Illinois
Ohio
Indiana
Tennessee
Iowa
Wyoming
StatesOpentoUnaffiliatedVoters:Anumberofstatesallowonlyunaffiliatedvoters
toparticipateinanypartyprimarytheychoose,butdonotallowvoterswhoareregistered
withonepartytovoteinanotherparty’sprimary.Thissystemdiffersfromatrueopen
primarybecauseaDemocratcannotcrossoverandvoteinaRepublicanpartyprimary,or
viceversa.Someofthesestates,suchasColoradoandNewHampshire,requirethat
unaffiliatedvotersdeclareaffiliationwithapartyatthepollsinordertovoteinthatparty’s
primary
Arizona
Massachusetts
WestVirginia
Colorado
NewHampshire
Kansas
NewJersey
Maine
RhodeIsland
OpenPrimaryStates:Ingeneral,butnotalways,statesthatdonotaskvoterstochoose
partiesonthevoterregistrationformare“openprimary”states.Inanopenprimary,voters
maychooseprivatelyinwhichprimarytovote.Inotherwords,votersmaychoosewhich
party’sballottovote,butthisdecisionisprivateanddoesnotregisterthevoterwiththat
party.Thispermitsavotertocastavoteacrosspartylinesfortheprimaryelection.Critics
arguethattheopenprimarydilutestheparties’abilitytonominate.Supporterssaythis
systemgivesvotersmaximalflexibility—allowingthemtocrosspartylines—andmaintains
theirprivacy.
Alabama
Michigan
Montana
Vermont
Arkansas
Minnesota
NorthDakota
Virginia
Georgia
Mississippi
SouthCarolina
Wisconsin
Hawaii
Missouri
Texas
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TopTwoOpenPrimaryStates:California,Louisiana,Nebraska(forstateelections)and
Washingtoncurrentlyusea“toptwo”primaryformat.The“toptwo”formatusesacommon
ballot,listingallcandidatesonthesameballot.InCaliforniaandLouisiana,eachcandidate
listshisorherpartyaffiliation,whereasinWashington,eachcandidateisauthorizedtolista
party“preference.”Thetoptwovotegettersineachrace,regardlessofparty,advancetothe
generalelection.Advocatesofthe"top-two"formatarguethatitincreasesthelikelihoodof
moderatecandidatesadvancingtothegeneralelectionballot.Opponentsmaintainthatit
reducesvoterchoicebymakingitpossiblefortwocandidatesofthesamepartytofaceoffin
thegeneralelection.Theyalsocontendthatitistiltedagainstminorpartieswhowillfaceslim
oddsofearningoneofonlytwospotsonthegeneralelectionballot.
California
Nebraska(fornonpartisanlegislativeracesonly
Louisiana
WashingtonState
InstantRunoffVoting((IRV)orRankedChoice(RCV):Thiselectiontypeisnot
definedbyNCSL.AGooglesearchprovidesthefollowingdefinition:IRVisanelectoralsystem
wherevotersrankcandidatesinorderofpreference.Intheeventthatonecandidatefailsto
achieveamajorityvote,thecandidatewiththefewestnumberoffirst-preferencerankingsis
eliminatedandthesevotesareredistributedtotheremainingcandidates.Theprocessis
repeateduntilonecandidateachievestherequiredmajority.Allvoters,regardlessofparty
affiliationreceiveoneballotwithallcandidateslistedregardlessofpartyaffiliation(No
states)
BerkeleyCA2010
OaklandCA2010
SanFranciscoCA2004
SanLeandroCA2010
TellurideCO2011
PortlandME2011
TakomaParkMD2007
MinneapolisMN2009
StPaulMN2011
SantaFeNM2016
HendersonNC2008
UniversalPrimaries:Aprimaryelectioninwhichallthecandidateshavethesameparty
affiliation,butwillnothaveanyoppositioninthegeneralelection.DuringaUniversal
Primary,allqualifiedvotersmayvoteregardlessoftheirpartyaffiliation.However,thereis
oneexception:Ifawriteincandidateisontheballot,theprimaryelectionwillbeclosedand
onlyvoterswhoareregisteredwiththepartyaffiliationofthecandidatelistedontheballot,
willbeeligibletovote.
PresidentialPreferencePrimaries:Statesmayhaveradicallydifferentsystemsfor
conductingstateandpresidentialprimaries:somestatesholdstateandpresidentialprimaries
onthesameday,someholdthemweeksorevenmonthsapart,andsomeholdthetwo
primariesonthesamedaybuthavedifferentrulesforeachprimary.SeeNCSL'sStatePrimary
TypesTableforwhichstateprimaryrulesalsoapplytopresidentialelections.
Source:NationalConferenceofStateLegislatures(July2016)(38)
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
AppendixBVoterTurnoutComparison
Figure#1–FloridaPrimaryElectionTurnoutByCounty
From2000–2014smallcountiesaveragedover40%turnoutinprimary
elections.Those13smallcountiesaveragedlessthan12,000registeredvoters.
Duringthesameperiod12largecountiesaveragelessthan22%primary
electionturnout.Theselargecountiesaveragedover430,000registeredvoters.
(4)Fiveofthe13smallcountySupervisorsofElectionswereinterviewedin
October–November2015tolearnwhatdrovethehighturnout.They
unanimouslyreportedthatcivicdutyandsmallconnectedcommunityasthe
reasonsforhighturnout.Theysaidvoterstypicallykneworwerefriendswith
candidatesandwantedtoshowtheirsupport.
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
Ohiovotersmaychooseapartyballotattimeofvotingaslongastheyare
registered30dayspriortotheelection.Unaffiliatedvotersmaynotvoteina
partisanprimary.
Oregonfeaturesbothclosedandopenprimariesdependingonwhatthemajor
politicalpartieschoosetodo.ApoliticalpartymaychangetheruleforNPAvoter
participation90dayspriortotheprimaryelection.IfaprimaryisopenOregon
nopartyaffiliatedvoters(NPA)maychoosetovoteinthatprimary.Ifmorethan
oneprimaryisopen,NPAsmaychoosewhichprimarytovotein
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
Arizonavoterswhoareregisteredasindependent,nopartypreferenceorasa
memberofanon-recognizedpartymaychooseoneballottovote.
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
SanFranciscoimplementedInstantRunoffVoting(IRV)in2004.Minneapolis
implementedIRVin2009.Minneapolisholdstheirelectionseveryfouryearson
oddnumberedyears(2009,2013,2017).The2005turnoutprovidesa
comparisonbetweenIRVandnon-IRVinMinneapolis.MaineapprovedInstant
RunoffVoting(RankedChoice)intheNovember2016GeneralElection.
AppendixC–OpenPrimaryQualifiedSources
AnnHellmuth,OrangeCountyLWV,hasprovidedtheOpenPrimarystudy
committeewiththefollowingguidanceonselectionofsourcestouseinour
study.Followingherguidanceisalistofsourcessheconsidersqualifiedtobe
citedinourreports.
Newsstoriestrytobeasimpartialorobjectiveaspossible.Reportersare
supposedtobeneutralobservers,notadvocatesorparticipants.Theyprovide
thefactsanddetailsofthestories,nottheirownopinionsaboutthefactsand
events.Allfactsshouldbeattributedtoasourcei.e.TheMayorsaid,accordingto
thePewFoundationreport,thepolicechiefsaid,thecandidatesaid.Anythingoff
therecordneedstocarryasentenceexplainingwhythepersoncannotbe
quotedbyname.
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
Therearetwotypesofnews--hardandsoft.Hardnewsreferstoseriousand
timelystoriesaboutimportanttopics--crime,accidents,speeches,government.
Softnewsconsistsoffeaturesandhumanintereststories.Entertainsaswellas
informs.
Opinionjournalismisjournalismthatmakesnoclaimofobjectivity.Although
distinguishedfromadvocacyjournalisminseveralways,bothformsfeaturea
subjectiveviewpoint,usuallywithsomesocialorpoliticalpurpose.Common
examplesincludenewspapercolumns,editorials,editorialcartoons,and
punditry.
SomenewsorganizationsliketheAssociatedPressarestrictlynon-partisan.But
newspapersblurthelines--examplestheWallStreetJournal,NewYorkTimes.
Politicoisanonlinenewspaper,combiningnewscoverageandopinion.
Thefollowingsourcesarenotanexhaustivelistbutgivesusastartingpoint
whenconsideringFactvsOpiniondecisions
1. NationalConferenceofStateLegislatures(NCSL)
2. PublicPolicyInstituteofCalifornia(PPIC)
3. StateSecretariesofState
4. StateDivisionsofElections
5. SupervisorsofElections
6. BrennanCenterforJustice
7. BipartisanPolicyCenter
8. PEWResearchCenter
9. ElectionAssistanceCommission
10.
GeneralAccountabilityOffice
11. EducationalTestingService
12. USCensus&CurrentPopulationSurvey
13. BrookingsInstitute
14. AmericanEnterpriseInstitute
15. StanfordSocialInnovationReview
16. ElectionLawJournal(Feerequiredtoaccessarticles)
17. DrSusanMacManus(USF)
18. Dr.MichaelMcDonald(UF)
19. Dr.RickFogelsong(Rollins)
20. DrAubreyJewett(UCF)
21. CenterforElectionScience
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
22. PEWCharitableTrusts
23. PEWResearchCenter
24. ElectoralStudies:AnInternationalJournalonVotingandElectoral
SystemsandStrategyhttp://www.journals.elsevier.com/electoralstudieshttp://www.journals.elsevier.com/electoral-studies
25. WilliamandMaryLawReview
26. NORCCenterforPublicAffairsResearchattheUniversityofChicago
(NationalOpinionResearchCenter)(norc.org)
27. NewYorkUniversity
28. AmericanScientistMagazinehttp://www.americanscientist.org/about/
29. ElectionAccountabilityCenter(http://www.eac.gov
30. CommonCause
31. Ballotpedia(https://ballotpedia.org/Main_Page
32. TheAtlanticMagazine
33. AustralianElectoralCommission
http://www.aec.gov.auhttp://www.aec.gov.au
34. InternationalInstituteforDemocracyandElectoralAssistance(IDEA)
ElectoralProcessDesignHandbook
http://www.idea.int/elections/http://www.idea.int/elections/
http://www.idea.int/elections/
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
AppendixD–MillennialSurveyResults
LWVF,inconcertwiththeUniversityofCentralFlorida(UCF),designedand
implementedacustomizedSurveyMonkeysurveyofmillennialvotersandnon-voters.Prior
togoinglive,thedraftsurveywastestedbyover160UCFstudents.Studentfeedbackwas
invaluableinshapingthefinalsurvey.Thefinalsurveywasadministeredviae-maillinksto
surveyresponderscontactedthroughtheircolleges,universities,andyoungprofessional
organizations.InadditionselectedLeagueFacebookpageswerepopulatedwiththesurvey
linktoreachouttomoremillennials.Inlate2016theHaasCenter(UniversityofWestFlorida)
agreedtoconductarandomselecttelephonesurveyusingtheSurveyMonkeysurvey
questions.TheSurveyMonkeypopulationwas585responders.TheHaasCenterpopulation
was362responders.Thetotalsurveypopulationwas947.Thesurveypopulationvariesby
questionbasedonsomerespondersskippingquestionsintheSurveyMonkeyself-select
survey.TheSurveyMonkeypopulationincludes33respondersthatskippedtheentire
demographicsseriesofquestionsbutansweredallothers.TheHaasCenterrandomselect
telephonesurveyhadamarginoferrorof4.4%ata90%confidenceintervaland5.2%atthe
95%confidenceinterval.
Areyouaregisteredvoter?
SurveyMonkey HaasCenter
Results
Results*
SurveyPopulation
585
362
YES
95%
100%
NO
4%
0%
NOTSURE
1%
0%
*TheHaasCenteronlysurveyedrandomlyselectedregisteredvoters.
Whatisyourpartyaffiliation?
SurveyMonkey HaasCenter
Results
Results
SurveyPopulation
551
362
Republican
20%
26%
Democrat
49%
49%
NPA
26%
15%
Other
5%
9%
Republicansareunderrepresentedinbothsurveyscomparedtothevotingpopulationof
Florida.Democrats–38%;Republicans–36%;NPAs–24%
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
IfNPAbrieflyexplainwhy?(Checkallthat
SurveyMonkey HaasCenter
apply
Results
Results
SurveyPopulation
188*
55
Idon’twanttobeamemberofaparty
36%
6%
IwantfreedomtovoteforanyoneIwant
54%
11%
Iwanttovoteforacandidate,nottheparty
61%
18%
Idon’tlikebeinglabeled
30%
20%
Neithermajorpartyaddressesmyissues
21%
38%
WhenIregisteredIwasn’ttoldIcouldn’tvotein
21%
2%
themajorpartyprimaries
*SurveyMonkeyrespondersselectedmorethanonechoice.HaasCenterrespondersselected
onlyoneresponse.Prefernottoanswerresponseswereomitted.
Howdoyouvote?(Checkallthatapply)
SurveyMonkey HaasCenter
Results
Results
SurveyPopulation
544
362
AtmyprecinctonElectionDay
64%
37%
Earlyvoting
36%
43%
VotebyMail
32%
20%
WhatissuesmotivateyoutoVote?
SurveyMonkey
HaasCenter
(Rankorderyourtop3choices
Results
Results
SurveyPopulation
551
362
TopThreeChoices(Percentages)
1
2
3
1 2 3
14 23 8 13
Candidates
27
8
BallotInitiatives
2
7
6 3 5 5
EnvironmentalIssues
7
12
13 9 12 13
EconomicIssues
18
15
15 22 24 14
SocialIssues(Abortion,marriage,
19
25
18 19 23 20
CivilRights(Race,Gender,justiceEquality
22
22
21 13 13 12
CostofHigherEducation
3
8
9 5 11 10
Immigration
2
4
5 6 5 11
Ifaprimaryelectionwasopentoallvoters
SurveyMonkey HaasCenter
despitepartyaffiliation,youwould---
Results
Results
SurveyPopulation
551
362
DefinitelyWouldVote
76%
73%
MaybeWouldVote
8%
7%
NoOpinion
7%
7%
Leaveitlikeitis(Closed)
9%
14%
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
Shouldapersonbeabletoregisteron
ElectionDay?
SurveyPopulation
YES
NO
UNSURE
NOOPINION
Shouldapersonbeabletochangeparty
affiliationonElectionDay?
SurveyPopulation
YES
NO
UNSURE
NOOPINION
Myageis
SurveyPopulation
18to25
26to30
31to34
Gender
SurveyPopulation
Male
Female
Other(Pleasespecify)
Racial/EthnicIdentity
SurveyMonkey HaasCenter
Results
Results
551
362
71%
66%
16%
24%
10%
6%
3%
4%
SurveyMonkey HaasCenter
Results
Results
551
362
65%
68%
19%
20%
11%
4%
5%
8%
SurveyMonkey HaasCenter
Results
Results
552
362
56%
25%
22%
20%
22%
55%
SurveyMonkey HaasCenter
Results
Results
552
362
37%
47%
61%
53%
2%
0%
SurveyMonkey HaasCenter
Results
Results
552
362
66%
65%
8%
15%
16%
12%
9%
6%
SurveyPopulation
White
Black
Hispanic
Other
The“Other”categoryincludespredominantlyAsianAmericans.
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
Ifyouareinschool,pleasecheckyour
educationallevel
SurveyPopulation
CommunityCollege
Undergraduate
Bachelor’sDegree
PursuingMasters
MastersDegree
DoctorsDegree
TechSchoolCertification
Other(Seconddegree;highschool;PhD)
Areyouemployed?
SurveyMonkey HaasCenter
Results
Results
428
99
34%
7%
29%
54%
14%
17%
8%
13%
8%
5%
3%
3%
1%
0%
3%
1%
SurveyMonkey HaasCenter
Results
Results
545
362
73%
84%
27%
16%
SurveyPopulation
YES
NO
Ifemployed,howmanyhours/weekdoyou
SurveyMonkey HaasCenter
work?
Results
Results
SurveyPopulation
411*
304
1to10
9%
2%
11–to20
19%
7%
21to30
18%
7%
Greaterthan30
54%
84%
*Moreindividualsrespondedthansaidtheywork.Percentageresponsesarebasedonthe
surveypopulationof411responders.
Page73
LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
Whatcountydoyoulivein?
County
SM Haas Total
Orange
93
Escambia
106
Pinellas
73
Miami-Dade
34
Broward
11
Hillsborough
20
PalmBeach
16
Seminole
38
SantaRosa
29
Leon17
Duval8
Pasco
19
Alachua
7
Brevard
6
Polk7
Osceola
11
Lake8
Okaloosa
5
St.Johns
2
Volusia5
Clay 3
Collier3
Lee 1
Marion
4
30
7
21
37
35
25
27
2
5
14
17
3
14
15
14
2
3
6
9
5
6
6
7
4
123
113
94
71
46
45
43
40
34
31
25
22
21
21
21
13
11
11
11
10
9
9
8
8
%
13.6%
12.5%
10.4%
7.8%
5.1%
5.0%
4.7%
4.4%
3.7%
3.4%
2.8%
2.4%
2.3%
2.3%
2.3%
1.4%
1.2%
1.2%
1.2%
1.1%
1.0%
1.0%
0.9%
0.9%
County
SM Haas Total
Highlands
4
Sarasota
2
Hernando
1
Charlotte
1
St.Lucie
1
Citrus2
Manatee
3
Columbia
Walton
1
Flagler
Gadsden
1
Holmes
1
IndianRiver
1
Jackson
1
Martin
Monroe
1
Putnam
1
Wakulla
1
Baker
DeSoto
Liberty
Madison
Nassau
1
3
5
5
4
4
2
1
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
7
7
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
%
0.8%
0.8%
0.7%
0.6%
0.6%
0.4%
0.4%
0.3%
0.3%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.1%
0.1%
0.1%
0.1%
0.1%
Countiesnotshownhadnoparticipants.
Conclusions
ThecombinedSurveyMonkeyandHaasCentersurveysprovideusefulinsightinto
millennialthinking.
§ Candidatechoiceremainsatopreasontovote
§ Socialissuesandcivilrightsareimportanttoyoungermillennials
§ Economicandsocialissuesareimportanttothe31-34agegroup
§ Ballotinitiativesdon’tseemimportanttomillennials
§ Immigrationwasnotaconcernofmillennials
§ NPAsdon’tregisterwithapartybecausetheybelieveelectedofficialsdon’t
addresstheirissues.Millennialswanttobefreetochoosecandidatesregardless
ofpartyaffiliation
§ Over73%ofmillennialsfavoropenprimaryelectionswithcandidatesofany
politicalaffiliationinbothsurveys
§ Over65%ofmillennialswanttheoptiontoregisteronElectionDayandto
changepartyaffiliationonElectionDay
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
§
§
Over50%ofmillennialsworkmorethan30hours/week
MillennialsfavorvotingonElectionDay(53%)toearlyvoting(38%)
AppendixE–PresidentialPreferencePrimaryandCaucusAnalysis
PresidentialPreferencePrimary(PPP)Background
TheFloridaPPPusesaclosedprimarytype.NoPartyAffiliateandminorpartyvoters
cannotvoteinthePresidentialprimaryunlesstheyaffiliatewiththepartyholdingthe
primary.ThepurposeofthispaperistoanalyzeapotentialchangeinPPPtypeandtoprovide
backgroundonPresidentialCaucusselectionofcandidates
▪ ConstitutionalProvisionsArticleVISection1
o Registrationandelectionsshall,andpoliticalpartyfunctionsmay,be
regulatedbylaw;
o RequirementsforNPAorminorpartycandidatesforplacementshallbeno
greaterthanforacandidateofthepartyhavingthelargestnumberofregistered
voters.
▪ FloridaStatutesTitleIXChapter103paragraph103.101Eachpoliticalpartyotherthan
aminorpoliticalpartyshall,atthepresidentialpreferenceprimary,electoneperson
tobetheparty’scandidatefornominationforPresidentoftheUnitedStatesorselect
delegatestotheparty’snationalnominatingconvention,asprovidedbypartyrule.
▪ FloridaStatutesTitleIXChapter103paragraph103.021
o Subparagraph(3)CandidatesforPresidentandVicePresidentwithnoparty
affiliationmayhavetheirnamesprintedonthegeneralelectionballotsifa
petitionissignedby1percentoftheregisteredelectorsofthisstate,asshown
bythecompilationbytheDepartmentofStateforthelastprecedinggeneral
election
o Subparagraph(4)(a)Aminorpoliticalpartythatisaffiliatedwithanational
partyholdinganationalconventiontonominatecandidatesforPresidentand
VicePresidentoftheUnitedStatesmayhavethenamesofitscandidatesfor
PresidentandVicePresidentoftheUnitedStatesprintedonthegeneralelection
ballotbyfilingwiththeDepartmentofStateacertificatenamingthecandidates
forPresidentandVicePresidentandlistingtherequirednumberofpersonsto
serveaselectors.
o Subparagraph(4)(b)Aminorpoliticalpartythatisnotaffiliatedwithanational
partyholdinganationalconventiontonominatecandidatesforPresidentand
VicePresidentoftheUnitedStatesmayhavethenamesofitscandidatesfor
PresidentandVicePresidentprintedonthegeneralelectionballotifapetition
issignedby1percentoftheregisteredelectorsofthisstate
o November2014voterregistrationwas11,653,868with1%=116,548
o November2016voterregistrationwas12,863,773with1%=128,638
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
▪
▪
TheNationalConferenceofStateLegislatures(NCSL)providesthefollowingfactsto
consider
o 14statesdonotmatchuptheirstateprimarytypewiththeirPPPtype.
o 36statesusethesameprimarytypeforbothstateandPPP.
▪ 12ofthe36statesuseopenprimaries
▪ 4ofthe36statesuseOpentoUnaffiliatedVoters
▪ 6ofthe36statesusePartiallyOpenprimaries
▪ 5ofthe36statesusePartiallyClosedprimaries
▪ 9ofthe36statesuseClosedprimaries
o NoneoftheTopTwoOpenPrimarystatesuseTopTwoforPPP
Otherfactorstoconsider
o NPAsandminorpartiescouldn’tvoteinPPP
o PartyRulescanoverridevoters(DemocraticPartySuperDelegates)
o WinnertakeallPPPcanalienatevotersincloseelections
o Partiesarepayinglessattentiontovoters
o SuperPACsdecreaseinfluenceofpartyleadership
AnalysisofPPPoptions
▪ Alloftheclosedandopenprimariesusepluralitywinnertakeallsystem
▪ Closed–Disenfranchises3.2MillionNPAandminorpartyvoters(27%ofvoters)
▪ PartiallyClosed–PartiesdecidewhetherNPAscanparticipate;minorpartyvoters
prohibitedfromvotinginPPPbutcanadvanceperFloridastatutes.AccordingtoNCSL
closedprimarypartiesrarelydecidetoopentheirprimariestoNPAs
▪ PartiallyOpen–Votersmaychoosepartyballotbutmustdeclaretheirpartychoice
publically
▪ OpentoUnaffiliatedVoters–NPAscanvotepartyballotoftheirchoosing;minor
partiesprohibitedbutadvanceanyway
▪ Open–Votersmaychooseanypartyballotandnothavetodeclarepartyaffiliation
publicallyincludingNPAsandminorpartyvoters
▪ TopTwodownselectstotwocandidates,notparties.PPPneedstopickonecandidate
perpartytogotoGeneralElection.
▪ OpenPrimarywithInstantRunoffVoting.IRVcanbestructuredtoselect
candidatesbypartyballotandrequire“preferentialmajority”vote(byparty)to
advancepartycandidatestotheGeneralElection.
o ColoradovotersapprovedProp107PPPinthe2016GeneralElection
▪ NPAscanvoteapoliticalpartyballotwithoutregisteringwithaparty
▪ NPAvotersreceiveaballotwithallparty’scandidates.Theychoose
whichpartytovotefor;iftheyvoteforcandidatesofmorethanone
partytheballotisrejected
▪ Winnersineachpartyareselectedbypluralityvote
▪ ThePPPballotmaynotcontainanyotherissueorpartisanposition;itis
exclusivelyforthePPP
▪ http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings
/2015-2016/140Final.pdf
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
o LWVCOsupportedProp107basedonthefollowingrationale:
▪ Coloradopreviouslyheldpresidentialprimariesin1992,1996,and
2000.Theycurrentlyholdcaucusmeetings.Prop107wouldrestorea
presidentialprimaryinColoradobeginningin2020.
▪ Becauseapresidentialprimarywouldbepubliclyfinanced,alleligible
votersshouldbeabletovoteintheseelections.
▪ Coloradoisintheminorityofstatesthatlimitparticipationinthe
presidentialnominationtoonlythoseregisteredwithamajorpolitical
party.Thirty-fivepercentofColoradovotersareindependentofparty
affiliation.
▪ Apresidentialprimarywouldinvolvemorevoters,increaseparticipation
andcouldencouragecandidateswhoareresponsivetotheviewpointsof
PresidentialCaucusBackground
Priortothe1970s,themajorityofstateschosetheirdelegatesusingcaucuses,butafter
reformswereinstitutedin1972tomakethenominationprocessmoreinclusiveand
transparent,moststatesadoptedprimaries.(CouncilonForeignRelations:Campaign2016).
In2016,just14states(Alaska,Colorado,Hawaii,Idaho,Iowa,Kansas,Kentucky,Maine,
Minnesota,Nebraska,Nevada,NorthDakota,WashingtonandWyoming)andtheDistrictof
Columbiausedcaucuses.Oftenheldatschoolgymsandotherpublicvenues,caucusesare
localmeetingsfinancedandmanagedbythetwomajorparties,whichthenmeet,discussand
expresssupportforthevariouspresidentialcandidates.EachState,aswellastheparties,runs
theireventsalittledifferently.
BecausetheIowacaucusesarethefirstinthenationthereisalotofscrutiny.InIowa
in2016,theRepublicanCaucusesusedasecretballot(anameonapieceofpaper)fortheir
preferredcandidate,whiletheDemocratsphysicallyformedgroupsforthecandidateoftheir
choice,andtookatally.Ifanygroupwassmallerthan15%ofthetotalatthecaucus,that
candidatewouldnotreceiveanyvotesandthevoterswouldregroup.Thereareeight
jurisdictionsthatutilizedadividedprocessinwhichonepartyheldaprimarytoallocate
delegates,whiletheotherconductedacaucus.(http;//frontloading.blogspot.com/p/2016
presidential=primary=calendar.)
Accordingtoa2009studybyThomasPattersonoftheJohnFKennedySchoolof
Government,theaveragevoter-turnoutratesforstatesinwhichbothmajorpartiesconducted
caucuseswasonly6.8%in2008.Becausecaucusesareheldintheevening,andtheprocess
cantakeseveralhours,itdiscouragespeopleworkingdoubleshifts,havesmallchildren,
disabilitiesorareunabletodriveatnight.CNNexitpollsconductedinIowaandNevada,(the
onlytwocaucusstateswheresuchpollswereheld),indicatesthatvotersinthe30to44-yearoldagebracket-thosemostlikelytohaveyoungchildren-weregreatlyunderrepresented
amongtheparticipants.Althoughtheyaccountformorethanone-fourthoftheadult
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
populationinthetwostates,theymadeuplessthanone-fifthofthecaucusparticipants.
(https://ballotpedia.org/caucuses)AgoodexamplearetheresultsfromNorthandSouth
Dakota,whichbothhavesimilarpopulations(google.doc).In2016,SouthDakota,whichhasa
primary,hadatotalof139,957participants(secretaryofstatewebsite)whileNorthDakota,
whichusedacaucussystemhadatotalof66,877(secretaryofstatewebsite).
PresidentialCaucusAnalysisversusElectionSystemEvaluationCriteria:
MajorityRule:Thecaucussysteminnotdependentonachieving50%plusone.The
winneristheonewiththemostpledgeddelegatesNO
CompetitiveElections:Caucusesdonotrelyonpartyloyalty,butonasmallgroupof
dedicatedcampaignworkerswhoaregoodatorganizingandmostimportantly,ongetting
peopletothecaucussites.YES
Representationthatreflectscommunitydemographics:BasedonCNNpollsin
NevadaandIowa,votersinthe30to44agegroup(whoaccountformorethanone-fourthof
thepopulationinthosestates)accountedforlessthanone-fifthofcaucusparticipants
(Ballotpedia.com)NO
Beverifiableandauditable:Neitherascaucuseseitherhavetoraisetheirhandsor
writenamesonpiecesofpaper(notofficialballots)sotherecanbenoverifiablerecount.NO
BesimpleandEasyforVoterstoUnderstand:Everystatehandlestheircaucuses
differentlyandinsomestates,onepartywillhaveacaucuswhiletheotherhasaregular
primary.Peopleoftendon’tknowtherulesuntiltheyshowup.Lotsofvotereducationis
required.NO
Minimizespoliticalmanipulation:Caucusesarehardtocontrolandthenumbers
canvarydependingonweatherandotherfactors.Politicalmanipulationmaybemoredifficult
tocontrol.InIowa,Democraticcaucusparticipantsmustpubliclystatetheiropinionandvote,
leadingtoproblemsofpeerpressurefromneighborsandembarrassmentoverwhoone’s
preferredcandidatemightbeandparticipantsareoftenrequiredtolistentospeechesfrom
politicalleaders.(NewYorkTimes:“CaucusesEmpowerOnlySomeIowans”Oct.27,2008)
NO
Betechnicallyandfiscallyfeasibletoimplement:Oneoftheadvantagesofacaucus
system,isthattheparty,notthetaxpayers,footthebillandaminimumofequipmentis
required.Atthesame,therearefarlessavailablepollingplaces.InIowa,therewasone
pollingsiteforeachcounty,whichwouldbeimpossibleinlargestatessuchasFlorida
Recountingisnotfactoredin.YES
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
Sources:
NationalConferenceofStateLegislatures
http://www.ncsl.org/documents/Elections/Primary_Types_Table_2016.pdf
http://www.ncsl.org/documents/legismgt/elect/Canvass_Nov-Dec_2011_No_25.pdf
CongressionalResearchService
https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42533.pdf
FloridaRepublicanPartyPPPDelegateAllocation
https://www.gop.com/the-official-guide-to-the-2016-republican-nominating-process/
FloridaDemocraticPartyPPPDelegateAllocation
http://files.www.floridadems.org/our-party/party-affairs/Florida_2016_Plan_v8.2.pdf
Page79
LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
FloridaRepublicanPartyRulesforPPPDelegateAllocation
EachstateassignsitsdelegatesaccordingtoitsownrulesinconsultationwiththeRNC
andaccordingtoitslocationintheprimarycalendar.Therearethreemainallocation
methods:
• Proportionalmethodsdividethestate’sdelegatesbasedonresultsoftheirprimaryvote.
Mostproportionalstateshaveathresholdpercentagethatacandidatemustreachtobe
eligiblefordelegates.
• Proportionalstatesmayalsoawardtheirdelegatesonawinner-take-allbasisforcandidates
whoreceivemorethan50%ofthevote.
• *AllStateswithvotesbetweenMarch1andMarch14musthaveproportionalallocation.
• Winner-Take-Allmethodawardsallofthestate’sdelegatestothecandidatethatwinsthe
highestpercentageofthestate’svotes.
• *Statesarepermittedtoawardtheirdelegatesbasedonwinner-take-allafterMarch14.
FloridaPPPwasMarch152016
• Hybridstatesawarddelegatesbasedonacombinationofmethods.
FloridaDemocraticPartyRulesforPPPdelegateallocation
FloridawilluseaproportionalrepresentationsystembasedontheresultsofaPresidential
PreferencePrimaryforapportioningdelegatestothe2016DemocraticNationalConvention.
District-leveldelegatesshallbeallocatedtopresidentialpreferencesthroughaproportional
representationsystembasedonaPresidentialPreferencePrimary
UnpledgedPartyLeadersandElectedOfficialsThefollowingcategories(ifapplicable)shall
constitutetheUnpledgedPartyLeadersandElectedOfficialdelegatepositions:
(1)MembersoftheDemocraticNationalCommitteewholegallyresidein
thestate;(Rule9.A.1,CallI.F,CallI.J,&Reg.4.13)
(2)AllofFlorida’sDemocraticMembersoftheU.S.Houseof
RepresentativesandtheU.S.Senate;(Rule9.A.3,CallI.H&CallI.J)
(3)“DistinguishedPartyLeader”delegateswholegallyresideinthestate(if
applicable).(Rule9.A.5,CallI.G&Reg.4.13)
PledgedPLEODelegateFilingRequirementsIndividualsshallbeeligibleforthepledged
PartyLeaderandElectedOfficialdelegatepositionsaccordingtothefollowingpriority:big
citymayorsandstate-wideelectedofficials(tobegivenequalconsideration);state
legislativeleaders,statelegislators,andotherstate,countyandlocalelectedofficialsand
partyleaders.(Rule9.B.1&Reg.4.15)PledgedPLEOdelegatecandidatesmustbeidentified
astoasingularpresidentialpreferenceandmaymodifyhisorherpresidentialpreference
bysubmittinganupdatedStatementofCandidacyandPledgeofSupportbeforethefiling
deadline
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
At-LargeDelegateandAlternateFilingRequirements:Personsdesiringtoseekat-large
delegateoralternatepositionsmayfileaLoyaltyOathandaStatementofCandidacyand
PledgeofSupportwiththeFloridaDemocraticParty.At-largedelegateandalternate
positionsshallbeallocatedamongpresidentialpreferencesaccordingtothestatewide
primaryvote.(Rule10.C)
State
Alabama
Arkansas
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
*Maryland
Massachusett
s
Michigan
Missouri
Mississippi
Montana
N.Hampshire
N.Carolina
Ohio
*Oregon
*Pennsylvania
S.Carolina
StateType
Open
Open
Open
P.Open
P.Open
Closed
OpenNPA
PPPType
Open
Open
Open
P.Open
P.Open
Closed
OpenNPA
PPPDate
Mar1
Mar1
Mar1
Mar15
May3
Apr26
Mar1
StateDate
Mar1
Mar1
May24
Mar15
May3
Apr26
Sep8
Comments
Open
Open
Open
Open
OpenNPA
P.Closed
P.Open
Closed
Closed
Open
P.Open
Open
Open
Open
OpenNPA
P.Closed
P.Open
Closed
Closed
Open
Mar8
Mar15
Mar8
Jun7
Feb9
Mar15
Mar15
May17
Apr26
Feb
20R/27D
Mar1
Mar1
May10
Apr5
Aug2
Aug2
Mar8
Jun7
Sep13
Mar15
Mar15
May17
Apr26
Jun14
Vermont
Open
Open
Aug9
Virginia
Open
Open
Jun14
W.Virginia
OpenNPA
OpenNPA
May10
Wisconsin
Open
Open
Aug9
Listonlyincludesstateswith2016primaryturnouthigherthanFlorida
Nineof21(43%)statesholdsamedaystateandPPPelections
Nineteenofthe50statesholdconcurrentstateandPPPlevelprimaryelections
http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/further-down-the-ballot-how-the2016-presidential-primaries-may-influence-congressional-primary-voting/
*Closedprimarystates,atpartychoice,canopenprimarytoNPAvoters
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
AppendixF–FloridaVoterDemographics
IndividualsareincreasinglyregisteringasNoPartyAffiliation(NPA)nation-wideandin
Floridabecausetheyareturnedoffbythedysfunctionofthenationalandstategovernments.
ThetablebelowshowsthenationaltrendbasedonaPEWResearchCenterpollasof2014.
http://www.npr.org/2016/02/28/467961962/sick-of-political-parties-unaffiliatedvoters-are-changing-politics
AtthestatelevelFloridavotersaredisplayingthesametrendawayfrommajorparties.NPA
voterregistrationhasgrownover1.2millionnewvoterssince2004.
FloridamillennialandNPAvotersdemographicsareshownbelow.
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
Millennials
White
Black
Hispanic
Other
Total
18and19years
329,021
106,685
133,029
16,523
585,258
20to24years
894,864
276,532
345,102
44,879
1,561,377
25to29years
877,938
238,344
340,039
48,808
1,505,129
30to34years
841,130
218,523
340,226
49,273
1,449,152
Total
2,942,953
840,084
1,158,396 159,483
5,100,916
Percentage
57.70%
16.50%
22.70%
3.10%
RegisteredNPA
NPAs
AllVoters
NPA%
White
Black
1,733,595 239,855
8,071,134 1,662,889
21.5%
14.4%
Hispanic
643,521
1,926,749
33.4%
Source:FloridaDivisionofElectionsData
Other
Total
324,575 2,941,546
782,950 12,443,722
41.5%
Table#2–HighVsLowEligibleVoters2014GeneralElectionTurnout
10HighestTurnoutStatesin2014
State
Turnout
Primary
Maine
58.5%
Closed
Wisconsin
56.8%
Open
Colorado
54.5%
Hybrid
Alaska
54.4%
Hybrid
Oregon
53.5%
Hybrid
Minnesota
50.5%
Open
Iowa
50.2%
Hybrid
N.Hampshire 48.4%
Hybrid
Montana
47.3%
Open
Louisiana
45.1%
TopTwo
10LowestTurnoutStatesin2014
State
Turnout
Primary
W.Virginia 31.8%
Hybrid
California
30.8%
TopTwo
Oklahoma
30.4%
Hybrid
Utah
30.2%
Hybrid
Mississippi 29.5%
Hybrid
Nevada
29.3%
Hybrid
Tennessee 29.1%
Hybrid
NewYork
29.0%
Closed
Texas
28.9%
Hybrid
Indiana
28.8%
Hybrid
Source:U.S.ElectionsProject(40)andNonProfit.org(7).Sevenofthe10highest
turnoutstateslistedabove(Boldtext)haveimplementedElectionDayvoter
registration.Floridaranked#16with43.3%turnout.NOTE:In2016the
NationalConferenceofStateLegislatureschangedtheirdefinitionsofprimary
elections.Hybridprimarieshavebeenredefinedtoaddspecificitytovarious
formsofopenprimaries(38)
Page83
LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
Table#3–BipartisanPolicyCenterElectionProcesses2013Poll
Table#3providesabriefsummaryofresultsofaBipartisanPolicyCenter(BPC)
–USATodaypolltakeninSeptember2013dealingwithelectionprocessesand
people’sattitudesaboutvoting.Thestudycontains29questions.Responsesto
Questions#10(67%)and#11(54%)indicatedthatindependentvotersshould
beallowedtovoteinRepublicanorDemocraticPartyprimaries.Thedetailed
resultscanbefoundattheBPCwebsite.(34)
Question9:PrimaryVoting
“TheRepublicanandDemocraticpartiessometimesholdprimaryelectionsto
determinewhotheirparty’scandidatewillbeforvariousoffices.Doyou
generallyvoteinRepublicanprimaries,voteinDemocraticprimaries,choosenot
tovoteinprimaryelections,orareyounotabletovoteinprimaryelections?”
REP
28%
DEM
ChooseNotto Can’t
Vote
vote
34%
20%
9%
Don’t
Know
Total
Polled
8%
891
Question10:ViewonIndependentsVotinginPrimaries.“Doyouthink
Independents,whoarenotregisteredwitheitherparty,shouldbeallowedto
voteinRepublicanorDemocraticprimaryelections,ordoyouthinkonly
membersofthatpoliticalpartyshouldbeallowedtovoteinprimaryelections?“
Independent OnlyVotersRegistered
sShouldVote
inParty
inParty
67%
24%
Don’t
Know
Total
Polled
9%
1001
Question11:ViewonIndependentsVotinginPrimaries–“NowIwouldlike
toreadyoutwoargumentsontheissueofindependentsvotinginprimary
elections,andseewhichcomesclosertoyourview:
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
a.Independentsshouldbeallowedtovoteinpartyprimaries,becauseit
willhelpproducecandidatesinbothpartieswhoaremoremoderateandmore
willingtocompromise.
b.Themembersofeachpartyshouldchoosetheirownnominees,sothat
theyarerepresentedbycandidateswhocloselysharetheirviewsandwillstand
forpartyprinciples.“
Selection(a)YES Selection(b)NO
58%
34%
Don’t
Know
8%
Total
Polled
1001
2012
2008
2004
2000
1996
1992
1988
1984
1980
1976
1972
Table#4–VotingAgeTurnoutin2012
TOTAL
Open Closed
18.6
15.7
30.7
30.6
19.7
18.1
20.9
18.6
19.5
19.7
23.5
23.2
26.5
24.5
24.2
24.8
27.8
26.4
30.6
27.2
34.1
26.0
DEMOCRAT
Open Closed
7.9
7.1
19.5
19.4
11.3
10.6
10.2
9.6
9.5
10.2
14.3
14.3
16.7
16.2
16.9
18.3
16.4
17.0
19.2
18.2
24.6
19.8
REPUBLICAN
Open
Closed
10.9
8.4
11.0
10.3
8.5
7.6
12.9
8.8
10.1
9.3
9.4
9.1
9.3
8.4
7.3
6.5
12.4
8.8
11.8
8.6
9.1
7.0
InOctober2012,theBipartisanPolicyCenterprovidedacomparisonofprimaryelection
turnoutsforclosed,open,andhybridelections.Totalturnoutreferstostateswithprimaries
forpresident,governorand/orU.S.Senateinbothparties.Aclosedprimaryisonewhereonly
citizensregisteredtoaparticularpartymayvoteinthatparty’sprimary.Openandmodified
openprimariesarelumpedtogetherinthischart.Anopenprimaryisoneinwhichany
registeredvoter(andinNorthDakota,anycitizen)maycasttheirballot.Amodifiedopen
primaryisoneinwhichpartyregistrantsandunaffiliatedvotersmayvoteinthatparty’s
primary.Turnoutpercentagesarebasedonvotingagepopulation(VAP).TheUSElections
ProjectdefinesVAP.The"voting-agepopulation,"consistsofeveryoneage18andolder
residingintheUnitedStates(Thisincludespersonsineligibletovote--mainlynon-citizens
andineligiblefelons--andexcludesoverseaseligiblevoters.
Thesepercentagescannotbecomparedtovoterturnoutexpressedasapercentageof
registeredvoterscitedelsewhereinthisreport.(2)
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LeagueofWomenVotersofFloridaOpenPrimaryStudy
Ofthe11electionyearsshowninTable#5,openprimariesin9ofthoseelectionyears
producedbetterresultsthanclosedprimaries.Inall11election-years,openprimaries
producedslightlybetterresultsthanclosedprimaries.
Bibliography
Manylinkswith.PDFattheendofhyperlinkmustbepastedintoabrowserwithoutthe.PDF
endofthelinktoproperlyloadandbeviewable.Insomeothercases,thesourcehas
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Glossary
ApprovalVoting-Approvalvotingisasingle-winnervotingmethodthatallowsvotersto
chooseanynumberofcandidates.Thecandidatechosenthemostwins.ApprovalVotingis
mostoftendiscussedinthecontextofsingle-winnerelections,butvariationsusingan
approval-styleballotcanalsobeappliedtomulti-winner(at-large)elections.
https://electology.org/approval-voting
AuditableElectionsystem:Asystemthatprovidesforaphysicalauditofvoterballotsversus
machinerecordedresult
BallotExhaustion–asituationencounteredinInstantRunoffVotingwhereallofavoter’s
choiceshavebeeneliminatedinearlyroundsandnoneofthevoter’schoicesfactorinto
determiningthewinnerinlaterrounds
Blanketprimary:aprimarysysteminwhichtheballotcontainedallofficesandall
candidateswithpartylabels.Foreachraceallvoterscouldchooseonecandidateregardlessof
partisanidentity.Bothmajorpartiesbroughtsuitarguingthatitviolatedtheirrightof
associationanditwasruledunconstitutionalin2000.
Bulletvoting:atacticinwhichthevoteronlyselectsonecandidate,despitetheoptionto
indicateapreferenceforothercandidates.Theymightdothiseitherbecauseitiseasierthan
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evaluatingallthecandidates,or(dependingonthevotingsysteminuse)asaformoftactical
voting.
Caucus-Theterm‘‘caucus’’shallmeananopenmeetingheldinapoliticalsubdivisionto
nominatethecandidatesofapoliticalpartyforpublicofficetobeelectedinsuchsubdivision
atwhichalltheenrolledvotersofsuchpartyresidinginsuchsubdivisionareeligibletovote.
CompetitiveElections–Aracebetweencandidatesforofficewherethedifferenceinvote
totalsislessthan5%(Someanalystsandwritersuse10%.)
CompulsoryPrimary:asystemwherevotersareobligedtovoteinelectionsorattenda
pollingplaceonvotingday.Ifaneligiblevoterdoesnotattendapollingplace,orlodgea
postalvote,heorshemaybesubjecttoapenaltysuchasfinesorcommunityservice.Usedin
Australianelections
Crossovervoting:InTopTwoorInstantRunoffVotingvotersreceiveoneballotwithall
candidateslistedregardlessofpartyaffiliation.Thevotermaychooseacandidateofoneparty
inoneraceandadifferentpartyinanotherrace
ExclusiveVote-By-Mail(EVBM):Oregon,WashingtonState,andColoradoonlyusevote-bymail.Theyoffernoinprecinctorvotecentervoting.
HybridPrimary:Atermusedtoindicatethataprimaryisamixofclosedandopenprimary
features.TheNationalConferenceofStateLegislatureshaseliminatedthistermandreplaced
itwiththefollowingdefinitions:partiallyclosed;partiallyopen;andopenwithunaffiliated
voters.SeetheNCSLwebsiteforfurtherdefinition.http://www.ncsl.org
Instantrunoffvoting(IRV):avotingsystemthatrankscandidates(1,2,3).Ifacandidate
receivesamajorityvotethecandidateiselected.Ifnocandidatereceivesamajoritythe
candidatewiththelowestfirstroundvotesiseliminatedandtheirsecondchoicevotesare
transferredtoremainingcandidates.Thisprocesscontinuesuntilonecandidatereceivesa
majorityvote
Jungleprimary:SeeTopTwoOpenPrimarydefinition
Majorityvote:Traditionalmajorityis50%+1voteoffirstpreferencechoices;Apreferential
majorityis50%+1voteaftersecond,third,etc.preferenceshavebeenexercisedtoachieve
the50%+1vote
Millennial:Looselydefinedasanindividualbetweentheagesof18and34asof2015.
Numerousstudiesandpollvarythebeginningandenddatesofthegeneration.FortheLWVF
millennialsurveyonlytheageattimeofsurveywasused
Monotonicity:Anelectionmethodcriterionthatrequiresthefollowing:Rankingor
ratingacandidatehighershouldnevercausethatcandidatetolose,norshouldranking
orratingacandidatelowerevercausethatcandidatetowin,assumingallother
candidatesremainratedorrankedthesame.
NoPartyAffiliate(NPA)voter:Avoterwhochoosesnottoregisterwithanyparty.Nottobe
confusedwithanIndependentVoterthatmaybelongtooneoftwo“independent”partiesin
Florida.
Plurality:thenumberofvotescastforacandidatewhoreceivesmorethananyotherbutdoes
notreceiveatraditionalmajorityvote.
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Rankedchoicevoting(RCV):SeeInstantRunoffVotingdefinition
Runoffelection:A“secondprimaryinFloridadiscontinuedafterthe2000election
SpoilerEffect:anelectionwhereanon-winningcandidatewhosepresenceontheballot
affectswhichcandidatewins.(ThinkAlGorev.GeorgeBushv.RalphNader)
Strategicvoting:Invotingsystems,tacticalvoting(orstrategicvotingorsophisticated
votingorinsincerevoting)occurs,inelectionswithmorethantwocandidates,whenavoter
supportsanothercandidatemorestronglythanhisorhersincerepreferenceinorderto
preventanundesirableoutcome
“Top-two”openprimaryelection:aprimarysysteminwhichallcandidatesarelistedonone
ballotandallvotersregardlessofpartyaffiliationmayvoteforanycandidatewiththetoptwo
vote-gettersinafieldofthreeormorecandidatesadvancetocompeteagainsteachotherin
thegeneralelection,eveniftheymaybeofthesamepoliticalparty.
UniversalPrimary:Aprimarywhereallcandidateshavethesamepartyaffiliation,butwill
nothaveanyoppositioninthegeneralelection.DuringaUniversalPrimary,allqualified
votersmayvoteregardlessoftheirpartyaffiliation.
VerifiableElectionSystem:PertheFloridaDivisionofElectionsVerificationis"Atesttofind
errorsinhardwareorsoftware.Thetestisexecutedinasimulatedenvironment,i.e.,during
systemqualification
Voterturnoutdefinitions:Voterturnoutmaybeexpressedintermsofwhichpopulationis
usedasthedenominatortocalculatetheresult.VoterRegisteredPopulation(VRP);Voter
EligiblePopulation(VEP)(subtractsnoncitizens,felons,felonswithoutrestorationofvoting
rights,andmentallyincapacitatedindividualsfromVotingAgePopulation(VAP)."voting-age
population,"consistsofeveryoneage18andolderresidingintheUnitedStates(Thisincludes
personsineligibletovote--mainlynon-citizensandineligiblefelons--andexcludesoverseas
eligiblevoters).
VoteCenter:Apollingplacecentrallylocatedwhereanyvotercanvoteregardlessoftheir
precinctlocation.ThereisnoneedtorememberandfindyourprecinctonElectionDay
Winner-take-allsystem:anyvotingsystemthatresultsinsingleratherthanproportional
winners,regardlessofthemarginofvictory.Alsoreferredtoas“FirstPastThePost”
Acknowledgements
Expertcontributors:
Dr.AubreyJewett(UniversityofCentralFlorida);
Dr.RichardFoglesong(RollinsCollege);
AaronHamlin,J.D.(ExecutiveDirector,CenterforElectionScience);
SteveVancore(PartnerVancore-JonesCommunications–TopTwoAdvocate)
EricMcGhee(ResearchFellowPublicPolicyInstituteofCalifornia);
RobRichie(ExecutiveDirectorFairVote–IRVAdvocate)
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Dr.ChristineHanlonUniversityofCentralFlorida
DrMicheleWilliamsUniversityofWestFlorida(UWF)
MsAylaGreenUWFPoliticalScienceGraduateStudent
MsAmyNewburn(HaasCenterUWF)
ParticipatingStateLeagues
Arizona
California
Michigan
Minneapolis
Ohio Oregon
PierceCountyWA
ParticipatingFloridaLeagues
AlachuaCounty
BayCounty BrowardCounty
CharlotteCounty
CitrusCounty
CollierCounty
HillsboroughCounty
JacksonvilleFirstCoast
LeeCounty LowerKeys ManateeCounty
Martin
OrangeCounty
PensacolaBayArea
PolkCounty
Sanibel
SarasotaCounty
SeminoleCounty
SpaceCoast
St.LucieCounty
St.Petersburg
TheVillagesTriCounty
UpperKeys
VolusiaCounty
NorthPinellas
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