We propose several major reforms that would return government to the people. We also seek to provide a vision of an empowering political process that involves all people regardless of race, gender, culture, interest group, and so forth.
To give voters the option of registering their disapproval of all candidates listed for a particular office, we call for a binding "none of the above" (NOTA) option on all ballots. If NOTA receives a majority of the votes, a new election would be called.
The current system of privately- financed election campaigns causes our elected representatives to put the private interests of their campaign contributors ahead of the public interests of their constituents. This system disenfranchises citizens who cannot make large campaign contributions. We propose public financing of eligible candidates. Also, candidates often spend more than half their campaign funds on expensive television and other media advertising. This increases the costs of elections and makes politicians ever more dependent on wealthy campaign contributors. We support measures that make media equally accessible to all eligible candidates and eliminates 30-60 second "image" political advertisements. We encourage cooperative efforts between the press and citizens to find ways to expose negativity, dishonesty, and distortion in media coverage of politics.
Recently, the General Assembly passed the "Fair Ballot Access Act" but the governor vetoed it. It called for fair ballot access for independent and "third" party candidates. We call for a referendum on this act with the following changes: 1) "If, at an election in which the new party's candidates first appear, any of its candidates for a statewide office receives more than one percent of all votes cast, the new party shall become an established political party in the state." and 2) "Candidates may run for office under more than one party label."
Many citizens are effectively denied the right to vote because of unnecessary requirements that make voter registration difficult. Modern computer systems make many of these restrictions unnecessary. We believe that the state of Missouri can take responsibility to make sure that all eligible citizens can register to vote. We support strategies that make voter registration easier including registration by mail and the ability to register at all government offices and polling places.
The "winner take all" political system in this country has led to a rigid two- party system in which one party usually dominates. This has made the formation of third parties and the voicing of minority opinions very difficult. We believe a multi- party system would better represent the cultural diversity in this state and create a better climate for reform. We encourage governing units at the state level to consider modified proportional representation so that minority opinions are better represented. For example, the number of representative districts could be reduced and part of the representation could be by region on a proportional basis.
Political parties can assume a new role of responsibility within the electoral process. When a political party is given the power to create a coherent platform and select its own set of candidates, it can hold its candidates and leaders accountable to its values and platform. We propose that political parties receive free television and radio time and special postal rates so that they can carry on a political dialogue with their members. We also propose an overhaul of the primary system to give party members control over their own nominating process. We support continued eligibility of National political parties for public funding to pay for conventions.
We support the transfer of as much power as possible from the highly centralized federal government to local communities. People have the right to participate locally in the decision-making processes that affect their lives and communities.
We advocate the creation of neighborhood assemblies and the gradual restructuring of local governments from the non- participatory and hierarchical city council to town meetings where more people can discuss and reach decisions about local problems.
We support: