One of Left Ahead's favorite guests, MA Sen. James (Jamie) Eldridge joined us to talk campaign-finance reform, specifically disclosure of contributions. He’s as appalled as we about the Citizens United decision. He is a leader in nibbling … [Read more...]
Why take baby steps for election modernization when we need a giant leap?
Last week, the Joint Committee on Election Laws released a timid and disappointing election reform package. H.3647 implements online voter registration and some early voting. Conspicuously missing are provisions to require post election … [Read more...]
A Voting System Built for the 21st Century
Back in November, voters in many Massachusetts cities had to wait up to three hours to vote on Election Day. While we did not face the seven hour lines present in some battleground states, as President Obama said in his inaugural address, … [Read more...]
MA Legislature Must Act Quickly to Pass Important Reform
Yesterday's Globe Editorial Bottle bill, election laws shouldn't get lost in last-minute frenzy on Beacon Hill is spot on. As the end of the session looms, lawmakers should be sure to pass these measures: Voting. Each of the four … [Read more...]
Introducing young people to power, civic engagement and voting through Pre-registration
Cross-posted at ONE Massachusetts By: Rachael V. Cobb, Associate Professor and Chair Government Department, Suffolk University During a recent hearing before the Joint Committee on Election Laws, Rachael V. Cobb, Associate Professor … [Read more...]
A disagreement with Mike Capuano
We got those touchscreen machines all over the country after the 2000 election made a national spectacle of the problems with punch card voting machines, but Massachusetts had its statewide spectacle of the same thing four years earlier, … [Read more...]
VOTER CHOICE (IRV) ballot referendum campaign needs help now!
------------------------------------------------------------ VOTER CHOICE MASSACHUSETTS - PETITION DRIVE "More Voices, Real Choices" Sept 11th - Nov 18th ------------------------------------------------------------ ENDORSEMENTS + The … [Read more...]
Fix the politics
What can be done? CommonWealth magazine sent a reporter to Minnesota, where 100 percent of state legislative races were contested last year, to examine the legal and cultural differences. There, Alison Lobron reported, people run for office … [Read more...]
Election Day Registration: hearing next Wednesday.
EDR is ripe for passage this year. Deval Patrick supports EDR and Tim Murray is slated to testify at next week?s hearing. Bill Galvin has said he ?wants to make it work.? Martha Coakley is for it. City and town clerks are … [Read more...]
Just for fun…the Simpsons and Question 2
So I know that folks here at BMG are all over the place on whether or not to vote YES on Question 2 (which I, of course, support), but I thought everyone might enjoy this bit of fun: … [Read more...]