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The League of Women Voters of California

Election System Study Adopted by California Delegates

The process really starts with individual League members developing an interest in an issue where the League has no position, educating their members about the issue through meetings and/or the VOTER or a local study of the issue, and ultimately after recommending it for State program planning..going to Convention to work for adoption of a statewide study.

A few enthusiastic California League members went to the National Convention last year and met many other state LWV delegates from all over the country who were also interested in adopting a National study of election systems. Several of these delegates had done studies at the local level. We quickly formed a group at the first caucus that developed a motion to consider our recommendation, and we had three minutes to speak to our motion. Unfortunately, at least 10-12 other issues were being eagerly pursued by other delegates. With a limited amount of time and resources, the National board is not able to do it all. In fact, the only issue that survived was the Making Democracy Work Project (MDW) which was renewed as an Issue for Emphasis. No other program was recommended at the National level. Representation for D.C. was added to the MDW goals of citizen participation, diversity of representation, campaign reform. etc. This year, the study was adopted by the convention delegates contingent upon funding. Already, $5,000 has been contributed by the Center for Voting and Democracy, and we are confident that many other foundations that are interested in this issue will provide funding when they know the League is leading this statewide study.

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