The state legislature finally folded and voted to end straight-ticket voting. This rigged system is finished because we refused to let them keep protecting the major party monopolies at the expense of real democracy.
Straight-ticket voting hurts our Democracy.
In Rhode Island, straight-ticket voting allows voters to make one mark to vote for ALL candidates of a single political party while bypassing individual races. Straight-ticket is the first option on the RI ballot and it oversimplifies the voting process because it does not encourage voters to learn about individual races or candidates.
Rhode Island ballot access laws make it difficult for third party candidates to qualify for straight-ticket voting, and independent candidates CANNOT qualify. However, even if acquired, straight-ticket voting status does not benefit candidates who lack the name recognition of the major political parties. Therefore, straight-ticket voting gives an unfair advantage to major political parties and their candidates over third party and independent candidates, and as a result, denies voters more choices.
As of 2007, Rhode Island is one of only 16 states that still allow straight-ticket voting.
We urge our lawmakers to eliminate straight-ticket voting in Rhode Island.
The establishment politicians in Rhode Island are ignoring the fact that voters are fed up with their rigged system. This momentum proves that people are tired of the major parties cheating their way through our elections and we are going to force them to listen.
Reached 100 supporters
February 9, 2008
6 Comments
D
Dave Thompson
18 years ago
Featured
GET RID OF IT. We need to actually start picking the person, not the letter next to their name.
L
Linda Fisher
18 years ago
Featured
It keeps the same career politicians in office forever because nobody bothers to look past the party line.
S
Sarah Brooks
18 years ago
Featured
Finally. This is so outdated and unfair to everyone running as an independent.
J
Jessica Reed
18 years ago
Featured
Takes like two minutes to research the candidates on the ballot. If you cant be bothered to do that you probably shouldnt be voting anyway.
T
Tom Mills
18 years ago
Featured
total nonsense that this is still a thing in 2018. RI needs to catch up with the rest of the country
M
Mike Cunningham
18 years ago
Featured
its lazy. people need to actually look at who they are voting for instead of just ticking one box and calling it a day.
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The state legislature finally folded and voted to end straight-ticket voting. This rigged system is finished because we refused to let them keep protecting the major party monopolies at the expense of real democracy.
Straight-ticket voting hurts our Democracy.
In Rhode Island, straight-ticket voting allows voters to make one mark to vote for ALL candidates of a single political party while bypassing individual races. Straight-ticket is the first option on the RI ballot and it oversimplifies the voting process because it does not encourage voters to learn about individual races or candidates.
Rhode Island ballot access laws make it difficult for third party candidates to qualify for straight-ticket voting, and independent candidates CANNOT qualify. However, even if acquired, straight-ticket voting status does not benefit candidates who lack the name recognition of the major political parties. Therefore, straight-ticket voting gives an unfair advantage to major political parties and their candidates over third party and independent candidates, and as a result, denies voters more choices.
As of 2007, Rhode Island is one of only 16 states that still allow straight-ticket voting.
We urge our lawmakers to eliminate straight-ticket voting in Rhode Island.
The establishment politicians in Rhode Island are ignoring the fact that voters are fed up with their rigged system. This momentum proves that people are tired of the major parties cheating their way through our elections and we are going to force them to listen.
Reached 100 supporters
February 9, 2008
6 Comments
D
Dave Thompson
18 years ago
Featured
GET RID OF IT. We need to actually start picking the person, not the letter next to their name.
L
Linda Fisher
18 years ago
Featured
It keeps the same career politicians in office forever because nobody bothers to look past the party line.
S
Sarah Brooks
18 years ago
Featured
Finally. This is so outdated and unfair to everyone running as an independent.
J
Jessica Reed
18 years ago
Featured
Takes like two minutes to research the candidates on the ballot. If you cant be bothered to do that you probably shouldnt be voting anyway.
T
Tom Mills
18 years ago
Featured
total nonsense that this is still a thing in 2018. RI needs to catch up with the rest of the country
M
Mike Cunningham
18 years ago
Featured
its lazy. people need to actually look at who they are voting for instead of just ticking one box and calling it a day.
GET RID OF IT. We need to actually start picking the person, not the letter next to their name.