| 1/15/2013 |
Marcello, Newberry call for elimination of "master lever"
STATE HOUSE – Calling it archaic and confusing, Rep. Michael J. Marcello and Rep. Brian C. Newberry are calling for the elimination of the master lever that is still in use on Rhode Island election ballots.
Representative Marcello (D-Dist. 41, Scituate, Cranston) and Representative Newberry (R-Dist. 48, North Smithfield, Burrillville) have again this year introduced legislation to eliminate the ballot master lever, which allows voters to make one mark on their ballot to cast a vote for every candidate on that ballot of a particular party.
“The master lever is counter-productive to the meaning of democracy,” said Representative Marcello, Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight. “At a time when more voters consider themselves independent than a member of either traditional party, the master lever appears to be little more than a way for power politics to thumb its nose at the voter and at independent candidates for office.”
“The straight ticket voting option is a relic left over from the old days of machine politics that favors parties over people,” said Representative Newberry, the House Minority Leader. “Those who advocate for preserving this archaic mechanism are merely attempting to preserve the status quo, while stifling new ideas and candidates. Eliminating this option will force candidates to reach out to communities to make their positions known, as opposed to relying on a party label.”
While straight ticket voting has historical roots (in the early days of the parties, voters would receive a colored ballot with that party's nominees on it), the national trend has been away from the master lever, leaving Rhode Island as one of fewer than 20 states that still use it.
Representatives Marcello and Newberry said their legislation to eliminate the master lever will encourage Rhode Island voters to become more actively involved in the election process by learning about who is running and making a more informed decision. At the same time, eliminating the master lever will not prevent people who want to vote for all candidates from a particular party from doing so.
“While the master lever option does make the voting process quicker for some, the controversy surrounding its use has unfairly called into question the legitimacy and fairness of elections,” said Representative Marcello. “Eliminating the master lever will end the speculation that somehow election outcomes would be different.”
Said Representative Newberry, “The master lever – used by a small percentage of Rhode Island voters – is not conducive to attracting more talented people to run for office, people who prefer to run on their qualifications and merits rather than as a member of a particular party. Eliminating the lever will bring broader and greater democracy to the democratic process.”
In a statement issued last week, Gov. Lincoln Chafee also called for the elimination of the master lever in Rhode Island, saying that “any mechanism that contributes to voter confusion – and worse, voter disenfranchisement – should not be on the ballot.” Calls to end the use of the master lever have also come from Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung and Moderate Party founder Ken Block, among other state and municipal leaders.
According to information from the state Board of Elections, about 24 percent of voters in the November, 2012, election used the master lever option.
The legislation, (2013-H5072), has been referred to the House Committee on Judiciary. Co-sponsors include Rep. Joy Hearn (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence), Rep. Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence) and Rep. Antonio Giarrusso (R-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich).
Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. David E. Bates (R-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence).
For more information, contact:
Randall T. Szyba, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2457 |
LEGISLATIVE INFO
