With all the media coverage on presidential candidates lately, it would be easy to think it was already November 2016. Despite that, states have been hard at work preparing for elections this year and in the future. If you’re interested in election and campaign issues that will affect the 2015 and 2016 elections and beyond then you must check out the Redistricting and Elections Standing Committee track at NCSL’s Legislative Summit in Seattle.
Things kick off on Monday, Aug. 3, with a trip to the King County elections office where you can catch a new system in action the day before the county primary.
Then we are taking a look at Oregon’s new automatic voter registration law as well as online voter registration and other registration modernization ideas. Campaign finance is up next with a group of experts reviewing the court cases you need to know since Citizens United and discussing the arguments for and against more restrictions on the flow of money in campaigns.
What do abortion, guns and marijuana have in common? They’ve been on many statewide ballots in recent years, through initiative and referendum processes. Is this a good way to make law, how do citizens really know what they’re voting on, and should there be more restrictions and transparency on the use of ballot measures? Find out Monday at 4 p.m.
The year 2020 isn’t far off and it’s time to start thinking about the next census, which is step No. 1 in the redrawing of political maps. Get the scoop on the U.S. Census Bureau’s innovative new changes for 2020, followed by a mid-decade review of redistricting court cases on Tuesday morning. Michael Dimock from The Pew Research Center will then let you know if the increase in independent voters is a real phenomenon and what it may mean for political candidates.
We know it’s all about timing here at NCSL and we’ve saved the best for last. Tuesday afternoon we’ll look at convenience voting—early voting, absentee voting and vote-by-mail—and why states are looking at these options now more than ever. Don’t miss the final session, Internet Voting: Do Security Concerns Preclude Voting Over the Web? It’s sure to be a lively discussion (NCSL’s elections newsletter, the Canvass, has a handy primer on Internet voting).
These sessions will have graphic recorder Timothy Corey working his visual magic. If you aren’t familiar with graphic recording, look here, or better yet come by during any of our Monday or Tuesday sessions.
The legislative process begins and ends at the ballot box. Don’t miss out on the Redistricting and Elections Committee track at the Summit!