Rank Choice Voting

RCV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than choosing just one. If no candidate wins a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and votes for that candidate are redistributed to the remaining candidates based on voter preferences. This process continues until a candidate achieves a majority. Supporting greater diversity and representation in the electoral system.

Proportional Representation

This electoral system ensures that parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive. It is designed to more accurately reflect the preferences of the electorate compared to winner-take-all systems, which can disproportionately favor larger parties.

Public Financing

Public financing provides government funds to political candidates to reduce reliance on private donations. This system aims to level the playing field, reduce corruption. Public financing offers funds to candidates for campaign expenses, enabling grassroots candidates with strong community ties to run for office without relying on personal wealth or major donors

Expanding Voter Rights

These reforms aim to make voting more accessible to a broader population. This can include measures such as lowering the voting age and opening voting up to undocumented immigrants, furthering greater civic engagement and representation.

Campaign Funding Transparency

This involves requiring detailed disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures. The goal is to provide the public with clear information about who is funding political campaigns, reducing the influence of dark money and promoting accountability.

Current Political Landscape: Reforms such as ranked-choice voting, public financing, and expanded voter rights are increasingly being adopted at state and municipal levels, particularly for elections like mayor, governor, or legislature. While RCV has seen adoption in various municipal and statewide elections, its use in school board elections is less widespread. Efforts to implement similar reforms at the school board level are less common and often face legislative hurdles. While some of these reforms may be in place there is often a lack of enforcement or follow though.

Path Forward: The way forward for all these reforms will involve a combination of legislative action, grassroots advocacy, voter education, and direct voter approval through referendums.

Possibility: Successful reforms in other types of elections can serve as models for school board elections, showing how these changes can be effectively implemented and managed. Increased awareness and growing public interest in electoral reform and transparency can provide opportunities to push similar changes at the school board level.

Last Updated August 2024

The map is ongoing research and IN PROGRESS - if you see something that you feel does not represent current policy, pathways, and possibilities or something we have missed please share at connect@cornerstonedemocracy.org

Students on School Boards

This measure allows students to have a voice in educational governance by including them as members of school boards. Student representatives can provide valuable perspectives on issues affecting the student body. This includes both voting and non-voting student representatives.

On Cycle Elections

Holding elections on a consistent, regular schedule (typically in November) to increase voter turnout and engagement. On-cycle elections align local or special elections with major election dates to leverage higher voter participation.

Constitutional Right to a High-Quality Education

This reform would ensure the right to a high-quality education in the state constitution, ensuring that all students have access to this right. Most state constitutions only secure the right to a fair, general, or efficient education.

Nonpartisan Elections

In nonpartisan elections, candidates’ party affiliations are not listed on the ballot. This approach aims to reduce partisan bias and encourage voters to make decisions based on candidate qualifications and policies rather than party loyalty.