President Obama Signs Overseas Voter Act

Thanks to Ballot Access News for this post.

President Obama signed S.1390 on Wednesday, October 28. This is the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act, contained within the Defense Authorization Bill. The Voter Empowerment Act tells states that in federal elections, they must mail overseas absentee ballots no later than 45 days before the election.

Like the Help America Vote Act of 2002, and the Motor Voter Act of 1993, this new bill is one more instance in which the federal government is slowly setting national uniform standards for the nation for federal election administration. The United States and Switzerland are the only nations in the world in which the laws for administering elections for the national elections are written by various subunits of that nation. As the trend continues, it seems more plausible that Congress will eventually set a federal standard for ballot access for Presidential and Congressional candidates.

In New York like other states, the state board of elections will have to determine how this new law affects state and local election time frames for those absentee ballots.

Michael H. Drucker
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Urge President Obama to Fill Vacancy on FEC with an Independent

During last night's conference call with Jacqueline Salit, New York, NY, the President of the Committee for a Unified Independent Party, Inc. (CUIP), a longtime journalist, political strategist and “on the ground” organizer and the Executive Editor of The NEO-INDEPENDENT magazine, we were asked to join this effort. Here is a letter Jackie and her counsel wrote to the President about the current openings on the FEC and why they should be filled by independents.


President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama:

We write on behalf of the Committee for a Unified Independent Party/IndependentVoting.org and our local affiliates in 37 states. We believe that the time has come to appoint one or more independents to the Federal Election Commission and hope you will do so.

As you know, the American electorate has changed dramatically since the FEC was created in 1975, part of an effort to reform our country’s political process. In many respects, your election as President was a statement by the American people that we must find ways to create a new political culture. That change is happening “on the ground” in significant ways. For example, 39% of Americans now self-identify as independents, a startling fact in a system that is so totally anchored to two major parties. And, the institutions which regulate the electoral process must more accurately reflect the electorate. It is no longer the case that bi-partisanship can be equated with non-partisanship.

The Federal Election Campaign Act states that no more than three Commissioners may belong to the same political party. Since 1975, every president has adhered to this statute by ensuring that the FEC was comprised of three Democrats and three Republicans. This arrangement has rendered the FEC largely dysfunctional and has left millions of Americans without a voice in administering our democracy. It is not a healthy situation for those who choose to be Democrats and Republicans to have representation on the FEC while the 39% of the country who choose to be independent do not.

Mr. President, our appeal is not just an abstract plea for fairness. As currently constructed, the bi-partisan bias of the FEC has produced decisions which have impeded the development of democratic initiatives which emanate from independent voters and the third party or third force sector. At a time when many are seeking new and innovative forms of political expression and identity, the FEC has taken positions that reinforce the political status quo, whether by setting restrictive contribution limits for non-party actors, failing to police the conduct of the nationally televised presidential debates, or barring unorthodox independent coalitions from qualifying for public financing.

Your appointment of an independent or member of a third party to one or two of the remaining two FEC vacancies would be an important step in remedying this unfortunate situation. Independents from diverse segments of our movement will come together to prepare a list of candidates for your consideration if you give us the signal that you will entertain this request.
You have reached across party lines in making appointments to your cabinet. Our government is the better for it. We value and respect that. And we urge you to apply the same high standard when it comes to choosing the stewards of our country’s most valued asset: our democracy.

Sincerely yours,


Jacqueline Salit, President
IndependentVoting.org

Harry Kresky, Counsel
IndependentVoting.org

cc: Hon. John McCain, Hon. Russell Feingold


Add your voice to call for the appointment of an independent to the Federal Election Commission. Use these links to contact the White House and your Senators.

Contact the White House

Contact Your Senators

Michael H. Drucker
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Open The Primaries to Independent Voters!

40% of American voters now identify as independents. With more and more voters identifying with neither party, partisan primaries that bar independents are a serious barrier to free and fair elections.

In the 2008 election, 10.5 million independents were not able to vote in the presidential primaries in 17 states. For local offices, that number is even higher.

By contrast, In 33 open-primary states, 2.7 million independents gave Barack Obama his margin of victory, making him the first Democratic Party presidential nominee in history to clinch the nomination with the support of an outsider movement.

Use the above link to sign the Open Letter to President Obama sponsored by IndependentVoting.org. Ask him to support open primaries. It's the kind of change we can all get behind.

Michael H. Drucker
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How the Independent Movement Went Left By Going Right

On January 25, 2009, five days after President Barack Obama was inaugurated in Washington, D.C. amid global celebration, 500 independent movement activists from 35 states gathered in New York City.

Use the above link for more information.

Michael H. Drucker
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Open Primaries Petition

During the presidential primary season, independents played a crucial role in bolstering the change-oriented movement that led to Obama's nomination. By virtue of being able to vote in the primaries and caucuses in 33 states, independents cast the votes that gave his campaign its margin, and continued to support him in the general election.

This petition asked Obama to support Open Primaries.

• In states with partisan registration, unaffiliated voters are now 24.8% of the electorate, up 36% since 1992;

• Nationally, nearly 40% of all voters self-identify as independents, regardless of whether they are registered into a party;

• In Presidential elections, independents can participate in primaries and caucuses in only 33 states. In 17 states, they are denied access;

• In numerous states, independents can vote in the presidential primaries, but not in other statewide primaries. Only 21 states ensure the inclusion of independents in Congressional primary elections;

• As independents gain in numbers and influence, there has been an intensified effort by major party leaders in states that have open primaries — e.g., Idaho, Mississippi, Virginia and Washington — to close the primaries to independents.

If you agree, please use the above link to Sign the Petition.

Michael H. Drucker
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Team Obama mobilizing e-mail list

At the Independent Movement Conference last week, Obama's email list was discussed and we agreed it was better that the list was to be separate from the Democratic machine. Well guess what happened?

President Obama’s new political network, Organizing for America, is giving his campaign followers their first task Friday in what is becoming an all-hands-on-deck effort to push his stimulus package through Congress. Their mission: to host “Economic Recovery” house meetings across the country next weekend. In a “Dear Friend” email set to go out today, the group’s director, Mitch Stewart, warns against “partisan games” holding up Obama’s plan, and explains how recipients can help. Organizing for America, housed within the Democratic National Committee, will send the e-mail to anyone who hosted or attended an Obama house party during the campaign encouraging them to organize economic stimulus house gatherings next weekend, according to Democratic sources.

Use the above link to read the entire article.

Michael H. Drucker
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Schedule for Obama Inauguration Activities

SUNDAY, JAN. 18
--2:30 pm ET: Obama will kick off inaugural activities with a welcome event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Beyonce, U2, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban and James Taylor are among the musicians scheduled to perform.

--Presidential Inaugural Luncheon and Fashion Show at the Ritz-Carlton.

--EMILY's List Inaugural Luncheon with scheduled guests including Cabinet appointees Hillary Rodham Clinton and Janet Napolitano.

--7:30 pm ET: Aloha Inaugural Ball, organized by former Obama campaign workers, held at the Wardman Park Marriott Hotel.

MONDAY, JAN. 19
--National Day of Community Service event: To honor Dr. King's legacy, Obama, Biden and their families, joined by Americans across the country, will participate in activities dedicated to serving others in communities across the Washington, D.C. area.

--Green Inaugural Ball at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture. Ball hosted by former Vice President Al Gore.

--Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts. Hosted by the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, among others.

--A children's evening concert at the Verizon Center honoring military families. Event hosted by Michelle Obama, who will attend. Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers are among the entertainers.

--Obama to attend three private dinners to honor former secretary of State Colin Powell, Biden and Sen. John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, for their public service. Dinners at the Hilton Washington, National Building Museum and Union Station.

TUESDAY, JAN. 20 (INAUGURATION DAY)
The inaugural festivities are scheduled to start at 10 a.m. on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. They will include:

--Musical selections of The United States Marine Band, followed by the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus.

--Sen. Dianne Feinstein provides call to order and welcoming remarks.

--Invocation by the Rev. Rick Warren.

--Musical selection of Aretha Franklin.

--Biden will be sworn into office by Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.

--Musical selection of John Williams, composer/arranger with Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet).

--12 pm ET: Obama will take the Oath of Office, using President Lincoln's Inaugural Bible, administered by Chief Justice John Roberts.

--Obama gives the inaugural address.

-- Poem by Elizabeth Alexander.

--Benediction by Rev. Joseph E. Lowery.

--The National Anthem by The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters."

After Obama gives inaugural address, he will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol's Statuary Hall.

The 56th Inaugural Parade will then make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.

Later that day, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host 10 official inaugural balls:

_ Neighborhood Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Obama Home States (Illinois and Hawaii) Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Biden Home States (Pennsylvania and Delaware) Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Midwest Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Western Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Commander in Chief's Ball at the National Building Museum.

_ Southern Inaugural Ball at the National Guard Armory.

_ Eastern Inaugural Ball at Union Station.

_ Youth Inaugural Ball at the Washington Hilton.

Unofficial balls include:

_ Congressional Black Caucus Inaugural Ball at the Capitol Hilton.

_ Creative Coalition Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts.

_ Recording Industry Association of America's ball for Feeding America.

_ BET's Inaugural Ball at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

_ Africa on the Potomac inaugural celebration at Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.

_ American Music Inaugural Ball at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

_ Inaugural Purple Ball at the Fairmont Hotel.

_ Human Rights Campaign's Equality Ball at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel.

_ Inaugural Peace Ball at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.

_ Impact Film Fund ball.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21
--The president, vice president and their families will participate in a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral.

Michael H. Drucker
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Obama's Inauguration Program

The order of the program will be as follows:

Musical Selections - The United States Marine Band

Musical Selections - The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus

Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks - The Honorable Dianne Feinstein

Invocation - Dr. Rick Warren, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA

Musical Selection - Aretha Franklin

Oath of Office Administered to Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. - By Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, The Honorable John Paul Stevens

Musical Selection, John Williams, composer/arranger; Itzhak Perlman, Violin; Yo-Yo Ma, Cello; Gabriela Montero, Piano; Anthony McGill, Clarinet

Oath of Office Administered to President-elect Barack H. Obama - By the Chief Justice of the United States, The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.

Inaugural Address - The President of the United States, The Honorable Barack H. Obama

Poem - Elizabeth Alexander

Benediction - The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery

The National Anthem - The United States Navy Band “Sea Chanters”

Michael H. Drucker
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Open Primaries

An Open Letter to President Barack Obama from The Independent Movement

Independent voters were proud to be a vital element of your winning coalition during the presidential campaign of 2008. Your appeal to Americans — that the country must move beyond partisanship and towards a more participatory and open political culture — resonated strongly with independent voters, who have been voicing these concerns for many years. Your invitation to all Americans to reshape our country’s future — without regard to political affiliation — was a refreshing change for independents and Americans of every political persuasion.

During the presidential primary season, independents played a crucial role in bolstering the change-oriented movement that led to your nomination. By virtue of being able to vote in the primaries and caucuses in 33 states, independents cast the votes that gave your campaign its margin, and continued to support you in the general election.

You asked the American people to partner with you to realize the dream of our democracy, to form a “more perfect union.” Let us strengthen that partnership as you begin your first term and work together to expand the voting rights of independents.

We raise this not as some kind of “political payback” for our support, but because we believe, insofar as the presidential election itself became a partial reform, this needs to be protected and expanded for future elections.

Use the above link to sign the petition.

Michael H. Drucker
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The People's House

From the President-Elect Obama's website:

Bring Americans Back into their Government

-Hold 21st Century Fireside Chats: Obama will bring democracy and policy directly to the people by requiring his Cabinet officials to hold periodic national broadband townhall meetings to discuss issues before their agencies.

-Make White House Communications Public: Obama will amend executive orders to ensure that communications about regulatory policymaking between persons outside government and all White House staff are disclosed to the public.

-Conduct Regulatory Agency Business in Public: Obama will require his appointees who lead the executive branch departments and rulemaking agencies to conduct the significant business of the agency in public, so that any citizen can see these debates in person or watch them on the internet.

-Release Presidential Records: Obama and Biden will nullify attempts to make the timely release of presidential records more difficult.

He also wants to open the White House to the public: like readings to school children; and the new oppening of the vistor center.

Use the link to read his new agenda.

Michael H. Drucker
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18 Million Independents Vote for Barack Obama

Jackie Salit, President of CUIP and IndependentVoting.org, gives a post-election analysis of the independent movement and the 2008 presidential elections.

Michael H. Drucker
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Dissecting the Changing Electorate

One way to consider Barack Obama’s success last Tuesday is to consider John McCain’s failure. By virtually every electoral measure — including age, sex, race, religion, income and region — Mr. McCain lost ground won by George W. Bush four years ago.

For Mr. Obama, the opposite happened. He performed better than John Kerry did among nearly every voter group — significantly better, in some cases.

Use the above link to read the entire article.

Michael H. Drucker
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Office of the President-Elect

The president-elect's new website Change.gov is up and running. Use the above link to check it out.

The site is complete with a job application section and a place to submit user-generated content to keep his soon-to-be constituents informed and engaged through the Inauguration. Use the Agenda link to find out what he would like to change.

UPDATE
Over the weekend President-elect Barack Obama scrubbed Change.gov, his transition Web site, deleting most of what had been a massive agenda copied directly from his campaign Web site.

Gone are the promises on how an Obama administration would handle 25 different agenda items - everything from Iraq and immigration to taxes and urban policy - all items laid out on his campaign Web site, www.BarackObama.com.

Instead, the official agenda on Change.gov has been boiled down to one vague paragraph proclaiming a plan “to revive the economy, to fix our health care, education, and social security systems, to define a clear path to energy independence, to end the war in Iraq responsibly and finish our mission in Afghanistan, and to work with our allies to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, among many other domestic and foreign policy objectives.”

“We are currently retooling the Web site,” said Obama spokesman Nick Shapiro.

Michael H. Drucker
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