Equal Vote Conference

Equal Vote Conference

October 4, 2014
University of Oregon
Knight Law School

Oregon is the only state in the nation considering changes to its election process this cycle. One month before Election Day, state and national luminaries converged at the University of Oregon to discuss and debate Measure 90, the Oregon Top Two, in the context of national politics, evolution in the science of voting methods and the historic role of political parties and the primary election process. We'll post A/V and presentation materials from the event in the coming weeks.

Conference Agenda

9:30 - 9:40	Welcoming Remarks - The Founding Vision Dave Frohnmayer, Former Oregon Attorney General, UO President Emeritus, Former Dean, UO Law School A constitutional scholar takes us back to the country's beginning to give the context for the day's deliberations
9:40 - 9:50	Evaluation of Voting Methods – Simulation and Criteria Clay Shentrup, Director, Center for Election Science The study of voting methods has advanced considerably in the 200+ years since the founding of the republic. Shentrup will give a TED-style overview of the criteria and simulation methods used to evaluate the efficacy of various voting systems
9:50 - 10:30	Debate #1 - Ranking vs. Rating, the Ultimate Throwdown Aaron Hamlin, Executive Director, Center for Election Science Rob Richie, Executive Director, FairVote National champions for different alternative voting methods square off in a spirited debate about the correct way to choose a single winner from a field of competitors
10:30 - 10:40	The Fight for Independents Jackie Salit, President, IndependentVoting.org Jackie will examine the shifting partisan demographics of the country and the rise of the independent voter advocacy movement
10:40 - 11:25	P-p-p-party Every Day - The Role of Political Parties Moderator: Joseph Lowndes, PhD, UO Associate Professor of Political Science Barbara Dudley, Policy Advisor, Working Families Party of Oregon Blair Bobier, Pacific Green Party of Oregon Dan Meek, Founder, Independent Party of Oregon Jackie Salit, IndependentVoting.org What is the proper role of the political party - in the election process and in the lawmaking process? How can political parties make themselves more relevant to new voters who are increasingly choosing not to affiliate?
11:25 - 11:35	Empowering the Next Generation Tara Sulzen, Executive Director, Oregon Bus Project Not left, not right, but forward - how can we engage the next generation in the political process?
11:35 - 1:00	Lunch Break
1:00 - 1:10	Introducing Debate #2 - Confessions of a Political Inside Outsider Jefferson Smith, Founder, Oregon Bus Project, Former State Representative What is the election process like for the candidate? From the perspective of political activist turned elected leader turned radio show host, Jefferson will introduce the afternoon's discussions
1:10 - 2:10	Debate #2! Ballot Measure 90, the Oregon Top Two Moderator: Jefferson Smith Pro: Jim Kelly, Chief Petitioner, Ballot Measure 90 Pro: Mark Frohnmayer, Drafter, Ballot Measure 90 Con: Representative Phil Barnhart Con: Julie Fahey, Chair, Democratic Party of Lane County Proponents and Opponents of Ballot Measure 90 square off over whether or not Oregon should adopt its own Top Two election system
2:10 - 2:30	Results of the California Experiment Eric McGhee, Public Policy Institute of California Eric has been studying the public policy implications the California Top Two and will share the results of his research
2:30 - 2:40	Trials and Tribulations - Redress through the Courts Chad Peace, EndPartisanship.org Chad has been at the forefront of a national effort to challenge the closed primary system in Federal Court. He'll talk about lessons learned from the first case, recently dismissed in New Jersey, and potential next steps
2:40 - 2:50	Engage, Educate, Empower Kate Brown, Oregon Secretary of State Oregon's Chief Elections Officer will showcase efforts to put the state on the forefront of technological and outreach solutions to connect new voters into the civic process.
2:50 - 3:05	Alternate Voting Methods and Campaign Finance Rob Richie, FairVote What impact does the voting method have on the cost to run a successful campaign? Rob will present data from cities that have adopted alternate voting methods and the impact these changes have had on campaign finance and tactics
3:05 - 3:20	Campaign Finance Reform in Oregon Tom Bowerman, PolicyInteractive Kate Titus, Executive Director, Common Cause Oregon The cost to campaign for office continues to increase in Oregon. Tom and Kate will provide information on public support for campaign finance reform and preview the 2015 legislative reform agenda.
3:20 - 3:25	Closing Remarks

WHEN

October 04, 2014 at 9:30am - 3:30pm

WHERE

University of Oregon Law School, Eugene, OR

CONTACT

Mark Frohnmayer

Will you come?