A movement is growing at Daily Kos to fix a key problem in our party — regardless of whether Hillary, Martin, or Bernie wins the presidential nomination. In the past couple of months we’ve launched Crowdsourcing the 50-State Strategy and are recruiting activists to join us in this long-term, bottom-up rebuilding process.
If you are interested in volunteering to help with this effort please send our group a kosmail and let us know how you want to help. Navajo, who is organizing volunteers, will send you an invite. Also please post your own diaries and recommend the work of others you think are good additions to the effort.
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In a release of information provided to Crowdsourcing the 50 State Strategy from Ballotpedia, the candidate recruitment numbers coming out of states that have passed their filing deadlines present a troubling picture. More than ever, Republicans and Democrats are going unopposed, facing no challenger at all — while many face only a token challenge at best.
Since 2010, in part linked to new voter maps in states nationwide, more candidates are “getting a pass”, making it far more unlikely that entrenched Republicans face any real fear of major upheaval in state houses around the country.
Up almost 15% since 2010, the rate of unchallenged candidates continues to skyrocket; and for those that believe Democracy requires the voters have a choice, you should be concerned.
Voters will head to the ballot box this fall with fewer choices than ever, often confronted with a blank line and no competition to be found.
Some states are definitely keeping the idea of a contested Democracy alive.
But too many states? Voters aren’t provided much of a Democratic choice, if there is one at all.
With multiple states well over the 50% mark of unchallenged incumbents in their state houses, voters intent on participating in the Democratic process find that they there is only one line available to them on the ballot.
With candidates drawn into lop sided districts, candidates are able to feel safe, unchallengable, because there is no real recourse for the voters in changing who represents them.
One of the goals of the 50 State Strategy is simple: to provide a reason for more candidates to run and get involved in races, from state house and US House & Senate.
At the core of Democratic values is the idea we believe in the right of the vote and the duty of Americans to participate. If we fail to give them a reason at all to participate, then we are as much to blame as anyone else.
Background on the Crowdsourcing project:
The Crowdsourcing Steering Committee comprises Chris Reeves, evcoren, Meteor Blades and navajo. If you’d like to join this group, send our group a kosmail and let us know how you want to help. Navajo, who is organizing volunteers, will send you an invite. Also, please post your own diaries and recommend the work of others you think would be good additions to the effort.
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