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The Free & Equal Elections Foundation is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to the elimination of restrictive ballot access laws that make it difficult for Independent and Third Party candidates to get on the ballot.
Free & Equal often coordinates with like-minded groups in challenging the current state of our electoral process, and looks for solutions to the problems of our current system.
In Free & Equal’s home state of Illinois, one such solution has come to our attention: The John Bambenek Put-back Amendment.
The “Bambenek Put-Back Amendment” is a comprehensive package of reforms designed to end the backroom dealings of the Illinois General Assembly.
The Bambenek Put-Back Amendment is designed to decentralize the power in the Legislature so that local legislators have the ability to represent their districts instead of representing the interests of Springfield power brokers. It is also designed to withstand legal challenges that are likely to be filed to keep the amendment from ever reaching the voters.
The amendment primarily would make the Legislature a unicameral (one chamber body) called the Senate made of 59 districts where 3 Senators represent a single district. It returns to “bullet voting” which Illinois voters had prior to 1980 (when it was repealed began the process of centralization of power). What this means is that a voter can give all three votes to one candidate or give up to three candidates one vote. It ensures minority representation in every district.
In addition, the Bambenek Put-Back Amendment also would do the following:
Establishes term limits of four terms, maximum of eight years for every legislator.
It limits legislative leaders (Senate President, minority leader, committee chairs) to a maximum of two terms, or four years.
It reforms redistricting so that legislative maps are drawn on objective criteria instead of the current method where politicians pick their voters to ensure their reelection.
It equalizes ballot access and bans the practice of removing candidates from the ballot for spurious reasons.
The Free & Equal Elections Foundation endorses the Bambenek Put-back Amendment, due to the strong provisions for equal ballot access that are included.
“The Bambenek Put-Back Amendment would drastically reduce and streamline the process for Independent and Third Party Candidates to get on the ballot in Illinois,” said Free & Equal Founder and Chair Christina Tobin.
“Not only would the amendment make it easier for candidates to get on the ballot, It would also go far in eliminating the removal of candidates from the ballot for spurious reasons. The Free & Equal Elections Foundation is happy to endorse any initiative that would lessen the burdens placed on Independent and Third Party candidates.”
Other like-minded groups and individuals have also endorsed the Put-Back amendment.
Rob Richie, Executive Director of FairVote:
“FairVote supports electoral systems that provide better representation for voters, systems that accurately reflect the will of the electorate. Changing to cumulative voting for Illinois’ legislature is a very big step in the right direction, as three-member districts would help to ensure that a broad range of constituencies find a voice in the state capitol. The majority has the right to decide, but everybody should have the right to representation.”
FairVote is a national election reform organization that advocates for a constitutionally protected right to vote, universal voter registration, a national popular vote for president, instant runoff voting and proportional representation.
Paul Jacob:
“Illinois desperately needs reform. The Put-back Amendment offers citizens a rare and important opportunity to help the state take a giant step in the right direction.”
Jacob, a national term limits and initiative leader, endorses the measure as an individual. While Citizens in Charge Foundation works to support the initiative process across the country, the group takes no position on specific initiatives dealing with other issues.
The Bambenek Put-Back Amendment Petition is currently being circulated in Illinois. 500,000 signatures are required for the initiative to be placed on the ballot.
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Sounds good. Do you have the whole bill? May as well use it to scare our state leg.
I think we need to lean on the national League of Women Voters. They think Election Reform means supporting HAVA (electronic voting machines and vote by mail). It is time their eyes were opened.