Category Archives: political parties

About FairVote’s “Crossover Districts”….

October 19, 2013, 4:02 pmpolitical parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

A reader from Texas writes: Fair Vote cites 116 “crossover” representatives in 1992 representing 27% of the House. To the extent that figure represents some sort of idealistic “good ol’ days” for Congress, it is terribly misleading. The overwhelming reason… Continue reading

“Political Polarization at Its Peak? Not All Agree”

October 19, 2013, 3:48 pmpolitical parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

WSJ’s “The Numbers Guy” reports.

“For post-shutdown reform ideas, many look to California”

October 18, 2013, 7:40 pmpolitical parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

The Los Angeles Times reports. Regardless of who draws the lines, the electorate remains polarized politically and geographically, with liberal Democrats concentrated in parts of the state and conservative Republicans in others. The number of districts actually open to… Continue reading

“Disappearing ‘Crossover Legislators’ Key to Resolving the Shutdown”

October 18, 2013, 4:40 pmpolitical parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

FairVote: Amid the shutdown-inspired talk of polarization and dysfunction in Congress, it is encouraging to see examples of real bipartisan cooperation. A group of twelve senators – six Republicans and six senators who caucus with Democrats – played a… Continue reading

“It’s Top-Two Friday!”

October 18, 2013, 4:15 pmpolitical parties, political polarization, primariesRick Hasen

Seth Masket: Thanks to Richard Skinner and Rick Hasen for pointing out that the reformers are out in force today. The New York Times‘ Adam Nagourney and the Washington Post‘s Reid Wilson both have articles up today talking up… Continue reading

NYT Top Story Says CA Dysfunction Getting Better Because of Top Two Primary and Redistricting Reform

October 18, 2013, 1:08 pmpolitical parties, political polarization, primariesRick Hasen

Article here. I was surprised to see that the article did not quote from more skeptical political scientists who have looked at the question. Some of that literature summarized in this post at The Monkey Cage.

“Don’t Blame Safe Seats for the Tea Party”

October 18, 2013, 7:26 ampolitical parties, political polarization, redistrictingRick Hasen

Frank Wilkinson writes for Bloomberg View.

“A ranked-choice voting system for Congress”

October 17, 2013, 8:07 pmalternative voting systems, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Rob Richie and Devin McCarthy writing in WaPo: “It’s easy to blame politicians for the federal government shutdown, but the dysfunction will continue until Americans understand how our voting laws reward confrontation and realize which steps are necessary for… Continue reading

“Republicans in Congress Who Voted Against Re-Opening the Government Were Disproportionately from Open Primary States”

October 17, 2013, 2:14 pmpolitical parties, political polarization, primariesRick Hasen

For those who think we can solve our polarization problems with open primaries, read this.

“Political fundraising boosted by shutdown, default”

October 15, 2013, 12:56 pmcampaign finance, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

CPI reports.

“When Another Speaker Stood Firm Against Obstructionists in His Own Party | Commentary”

October 15, 2013, 12:55 pmpolitical parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Ned Foley Roll Call oped.

Quote of the Day: Posner Edition

October 11, 2013, 4:42 pmcampaign finance, political parties, political polarization, redistrictingRick Hasen

“I don’t understand the Court’s toleration for political gerrymandering, a practice that in conjunction with the Court’s endorsement of promiscuous campaign donations seems to have poisoned our national politics by filling the House of Representatives with extremists.” –Richard A. Posner,… Continue reading

Big Business Laments Loss of Influence Over Republican Party

October 9, 2013, 8:11 pmlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Must-read NYT: “We ask them to carry our water all the time,” said one corporate sector lobbyist, who demanded anonymity in order to speak frankly about the relationship with Republicans. “But we don’t necessarily support them 100 percent of the… Continue reading