Overview

The American system of representative democracy relies on an engaged citizenry and fair representation, and yet voter turnout is lower than it should be, voting is too often difficult, inaccurate or unverifiable, and in many states the districts themselves are drawn by elected officials to benefit themselves or their party.

That’s why CALPIRG registered thousands of young and low-income new voters across the state before the last election. We support a proposal in Los Angeles to adopt instant run-off voting, which would prevent voter fatigue by eliminating run-off elections. We have endorsed state proposals for public financing of elections to reduce the influence of big money in politics. And we’re supporting measures that will ensure a fairer way to draw political districts.