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Proposal Details

Proposal ID	862
Proposal	Establishment of GPUS Electoral Reform Committee
Presenter	Green Party of California
Floor Manager	Sanda Everette
Phase	Closed
Discussion	01/30/2017 - 02/26/2017
Voting	02/27/2017 - 03/05/2017
Result	Failed
Presens Quorum	32 0.6666
Consens Quorum	52 0.6666 of Yes and No Votes

Background

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: One of the Green Party Ten Key Values is 'grassroots democracy'. How 'grassroots democracy' is realized in our society can take many forms, including through how elections are conducted. Therefore electoral reform is one of the key strategic and tactical means by which 'grassroots democracy' can be realized.

Yet the GPUS has not specific, ongoing organizational focus on electoral reform, neither to promote it nor to seek budgeted funds to support such efforts. This is particularly problematic given that Green Party electoral success depends in part reforms to our nation's electoral system. Green Parties exist in over 90 countries around the world, promoting generally the same set of key values and public policies and key values. In countries where electoral systems of proportional representation exist, Greens win many more seats than they do in countries without it.

Therefore a focus on electoral reform would be both consistent with Green Party values and strategic to grow the Green Party. This proposal would establish such a committee to help focus and facilitate these efforts.

Under GPUS Bylaws 3-1.2, “To establish a new committee, a Mission Statement describing each committee’s general mission and duties and responsibilities must be approved by the National Committee by a two-thirds vote.” (http://gpus.org/bylaws/#03). This proposal would establish a GPUS Electoral Reform Committee in keeping with this requirement.

Under GPUS Bylaws 9-1.4 “Amendments to the Platform may be submitted for consideration by any accredited state party or caucus, or any committee whose Mission Statement authorizes it.” (http://gpus.org/bylaws/#09). This proposal contains such authorization.

Under GPUS Bylaws Section 3-6 Duties and Responsibilities, defines several basic responsibilities for Committees (http://gpus.org/bylaws/#09).These responsibilities are included in the proposal in sub-sections 2-1, 2-4, 2-5 and 2-6.

Finally in order to promote consistency in GPUS procedures and take advantage of existing precedent, this proposal utilizes similar language as found in the Mission Statements for the Animal Rights, Eco-Action, Peace-Action and International Committees, where each plays a similar role within the GPUS in making proposals to the National Committee and in advising the party on related matters.

Proposal

PROPOSAL: That the National Committee approve the following Mission Statement in order to establish a GPUS Electoral Reform Committee:

Electoral Reform Committee Mission Statement

Section I Mission Statement

1-1 Inform and advise Green Party candidates and officeholders on electoral reform issues.
1-2 Develop resolutions and official position statements on electoral reform issues, consistent with the GPUS Platform, for consideration by the National Committee.
1-3 Develop amendments to the GPUS Platform on electoral reform issues, for consideration by the National Committee.
1-4 Propose endorsement of electoral reform legislation of national and state significance, as well as endorsement of conferences, symposia, seminars, forums, marches, demonstrations and similar actions of national significance, consistent with the GPUS Platform, for consideration by the National Committee.
1-5 Advise the Media Committee on electoral reform issues, consistent with the GPUS platform, for inclusion in press releases and other public outreach.
1-6 Develop articles on electoral reform issues, with a focus on their connection to the Green Party, for inclusion in GPUS official publications.
1-7 Develop graphics and other content on electoral reform issues, consistent with the GPUS Platform, for use in GPUS social media.
1-8 Connect electoral reform issues to other green issues, and develop intersectional strategies based upon these connections to build the Green Party.
1-9 Serve as a resource on electoral reform issues to state Green Parties and local Greens.
1-10 Make recommendations to the appropriate GPUS decision-making bodies to promote consistency of GPUS internal practices with regard to electoral reform positions in the GPUS Platform, resolutions, and position statements.
1-11 Make recommendations to the BRPP and to the National Committee regarding procedures for electing internal GPUS leadership positions; and to the Accreditation Committee and to the National Committee regarding affiliation criteria for state parties and caucuses around their use of proportional representation to elect their own internal leadership
1-12 Provide education and outreach on electoral reform issues to the general public.
1-13 Network with organizations, academics and others working on electoral reform

Section II Duties and Responsibilities

2.1 Report on the activities of the Electoral Reform Committee to the National Committee at the Annual National Meeting, either orally, in writing or both, and at any other intervals as requested by the National Committee.
2.2 Submit requests for budgeted funds according to the procedures defined in the GPUS Fiscal Policy.
2.3 Administer the Electoral Reform Committee email list, and any social media used for internal communications of the Electoral Reform Committee.
2.4 Participate in the periodic review of Committee Rules of the Electoral Reform Committee, as conducted by the Committee on Bylaws, Rules, Policies and Procedures.
2.5 Propose amendments to the Committee Rules of the Electoral Reform Committee for approval by the National Committee as are necessary to fulfill the committee's mission, duties and responsibilities.
2.6 Provide new committee members with training and orientation in the Purpose, Mission, and Rules of the Electoral Reform Committee.

Resources

Electoral Reform Committee established upon National Committee approval of this proposal

References

None

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