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ELECTION SYSTEMS STUDY 1999-2001

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Delegates to the League of Women Voters of California convention in May 1999 approved a study of Election Systems, pending funding. The scope and focus of the study, as agreed to by the State League Board, are:

Scope: A study of voting systems for electing legislative bodies and executive officers at both the state and local levels.

Focus: The focus will be a comparison and evaluation of different voting systems including plurality/majority, semi-proportional and proportional systems that have been used both in the United States and around the world.

California Leagues participating in the study will first decide on criteria they will use for evaluating the various election systems. They will then apply these criteria to the voting systems and through the consensus process determine which they prefer for elections for specified state and local offices. The results for all of the local Leagues will then be compiled and analyzed to determine if there is a statewide consensus in favor of one or more election systems. If so, the California League will have a position which can be used to respond to legislation in this area.

The State Election Systems Study Committee has prepared the materials which the local Leagues will use for their study and consensus meetings.

The Introduction to the Election Systems Study and the Election Systems Study Kit published in May and September 2000, are for use by members of LWV California only. This study kit is available on the website for members. We are sorry for any inconvenience for nonmembers. However, we'd be pleased to have you become a member of the League and join us in our study.

Source Material

The study kit is partially adapted from the recently published book, Behind the Ballot Box: A Citizen's Guide to Voting Systems by Professor Douglas J. Amy, Department of Politics, Mount Holyoke College (Massachusetts). We gratefully acknowledge his contribution to this study.

The Election Systems Study Committee

Ray Bennett, chair, Pasadena, lwvpa@lafn.org (LWV Pasadena Area)
Fran Krezek, chair, Saratoga, fkrezek@compuserve.com (LWV Los Gatos-Saratoga-Monte Sereno)
Steve Chessin, Mountain View (LWV Los Altos-Mountain View Area)
Paula Lee, Camino (LWV El Dorado County)
Pete Martineau, Sacramento (LWV Sacramento)
Margo Reeg, Whittier (LWV Whitter)
Louise Ringwalt, San Clemente (LWV Capistrano Bay Area)
Doris Fine, LWVC board liaison

Mission Statement

The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund, a nonpartisan organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League neither supports nor opposes political candidates and parties, but does take action on issues.

Feedback

If you have questions or comments, please send an email to fkrezek@compuserve.com or lwvpa@lafn.org. The State Study Committee will be pleased to learn your concerns, thoughts, and ideas. A member of the committee will respond if that is so indicated.