The Vanishing Voter
The period from 1960 to 2000 marks the longest ebb in voter turnout
in the nation's history. Fewer voters are not the only sign of
waning interest. In 2000, fewer than 30 percent of television
households had their sets on and tuned to the October debates.
In 1960, 60 percent of television households were tuned in.
During the 2000 campaign, a research team at Harvard University's
Kennedy School of Government conducted nearly 100,000 interviews
to explore the reasons why Americans are disengaging. The results
are now available in a book, The Vanishing Voter, written by Thomas
E. Patterson who co-directed the study. The Vanishing Voter reveals
how changes in the parties, candidate behavior, journalism, and
election law have diminished Americans' stake in and appetite
for election politics. The book includes policy proposals that,
if instituted by the parties, candidates, the media, and policmakers,
would increase citizen involvement, not only in terms of Election
Day turnout but throughout the course of the campaign.
Additional information about Thomas Patterson's The Vanishing
Voter and the study of which it is based is available at the project
web site: www.vanishingvoter.org.
Last Modified October 16, 2002.
Inclusion Conference
On May 8th, 2003, the National Civic League is hosting a conference titled,
“Inclusiveness and the Democracy Movement: A Focus on Electoral Reform,”
in the Learning Center at the AARP building on 601 E Street, NW, Washington,
DC. The conference will convene forty people from universities, foundations,
and nonprofit organizations who are active in the social justice and political
reform movements. Arturo Vargas, Executive Director of NALEO, and Robert Stern,
President of the Center for Governmental Studies, will be our two featured
speakers. Participants will engage in a daylong dialogue to identify and develop
common interests between the two movements on strategies for pursuing electoral
reform.
Free and fair elections ensure the legitimacy of the exercise of political
power and provide representation for the diverse perspectives that make up
a vibrant democracy. We think that a conference focusing on the importance
of electoral reform will make a valuable contribution to the process of creating
a more responsive and democratic political system.
For more information on the conference, please contact Camilla Modesitt at
(303) 571-4343.
Voters on the Front Line: Ballot Issues and You
All potential voters are invited to learn more about the statewide referendums
and initiatives that will appear on the November 2002 ballot in Colorado.
Issues to be discussed are Bilingual Education, Same Day Voter Registration,
Candidate Selection Process, Public/Private Health Facilities, Campaign Finance,
Mail Ballot, District Attorney's Term, and Cesar Chavez Holiday. Both sides
of each issue will be presented. This event will take place on October 2nd
in Denver, CO. Click here for details.
Last Modified September 6, 2002.
New Politics Quarterly Online
The New Politics Program has released the Spring
edition of the New Politics Quarterly, the NPP's quarterly newsletter.
This issue wraps up recent events, news, and project updates and contains
information on upcoming projects.
Last Modified May 13, 2002.
NCL Holds Event on Civil Rights and Local Campaign Finance Reform
On Saturday, December 8th, the National Civic League hosted “Making
The Link: Civil Rights and Campaign Finance Reform”, an educational
forum focusing on the interrelated issues of civil rights and campaign finance
reform.
Last Modified December 14, 2001.
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