Does Your Vote Count In California? Town Hall Event

On March 18, 2008, National Public Radio Correspondent Richard Gonzales moderated Does Your Vote Count in California? , a VOTE DEMOCRACY! town hall meeting at the Oakland Museum of California. The evening’s discussion centered on the strengths and shortcomings of the electoral system, alternatives to the Electoral College and whether the votes of California citizens are as valued as the votes of citizens in other states.

The panelists were:

• Derek Cressman, national assistant director of elections reform, Common Cause
• Loni Hancock, California assemblymember, 14th district
• Steven Hill, director, Political Reform Program, New America Foundation
• John Koza, chairman, National Popular Vote
• Kim Zetter, journalist, Wired News

View photos of the event >>

Listen to select clips from the discussion

Assemblywoman Loni Hancock discusses her thoughts on re-districting, eliminating the Electoral College, expanding voter registration initiatives and the importance of public financing of candidates.

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Steven Hill and Assemblywoman Loni Hancock discuss ways to broaden the diversity of state and national representatives, particularly in light of how Sweden and Germany, among other countries, have succeeded in electing more women and younger leaders.

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Kim Zetter examines the popular belief that optical scan machines are more reliable than touch screen machines, and what California has recently decided to do about the issue.

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Matt Gonzalez, 2008 VP running mate of Ralph Nader, asks John Koza if his plan to eliminate the Electoral College would ensure that the president is elected by a majority of Americans.

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Derek Cressman and Assemblywoman Loni Hancock comment on the progress of democracy in America, and how the American system, despite its shortcomings, is still a model worth emulating.

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