Tracing the transition of a democracy as it moves in between electoral systems, this book details the current and past public opinion surrounding New Zealand's 1999 election. As a result of the second election under the Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) system, New Zealand elected a change in government, a minority center-left coalition of the Labor and Alliance parties. As an independent survey that objectively studies the country's political environment, this book adds to the local debate regarding the MMP electoral system, which will continue as New Zealand looks ahead to the upcoming 2002 election.

"The authors build their analysis on the rich data provided by replies of over 2000 voters and more than 1000 political party activists and parliamentary candidates surveyed immediately after the election"--Back cover.

Voters' Victory completes a triad of studies charting New Zealand's shift to a new MMP electoral system. This volume is the story of the first MMP election in 1996 and asks the question: is MMP beginning to deliver what its advocates hoped? The research for the text used two different multi-stage panels and featured a post-election postal survey of over 2000 electors, and a similar survey of election candidates from those parties securing parliamentary representation; a study based on daily telephone interviews throughout the 1996 election campaign; and post-election re-interviews.

This book looks into the dynamics of an election campaign dominated by two closely matched women leaders; the return of Maori voters to Labour; the emergence of the Greens; and the developing foundations of the Labour-Alliance coalition. It traces the evolution of public attitudes to MMP, presents a comprehensive assessment of the effects of proportional representation, and discusses the experiment of the two citizen-initiated referendums.

The United States wasn't built as a democracy. The Senate doesn't represent people. Both sides hate gerrymandering and the courts refuse to fix it. Our right to be heard is defeated by voter suppression and an Electoral College system that concentrates power in a handful of states and too often reverses the popular vote. But within our flawed system, we have the tools to tackle our most stubborn election problems by flexing state and local power (no constitutional amendments or courts required). Kristin Eberhard, Director of Democracy at Sightline Institute, thoughtfully researched how the U.S. election system is unjust to many by design, and walks us through 10 big but practical ideas for making our elections free, fair, and secure. A field guide to better elections for both sides of the aisle, Becoming a Democracy illuminates the meaningful, concrete actions that we can take to transform our elections and make sure everyone's vote counts (and that we all get to vote in the first place).

11. Leaders - Ian McAllister

Tracking New Zealand's transition from the first-past-the-postelectoral system, as used in Britain, to the mixed-member-proportional system, as used in Germany, this analysis examines New Zealand's pivotal 2002 election through a campaign study, a postelection study, and a midelection panel. Based on surveys of more than 5,000 voters and information from candidates, the data included profiles the campaign, candidates, media, issues, leaders, electoral systems, and social and political context of this key election. Essays from New Zealanders and Americans analyze central issues including the outcome of the election for the National Party, Labour Party, New Zealand First Party, and the United Future Party and the political importance of indigenous Maori voters.

The 1990 election in New Zealand produced the biggest landslide in 50 years, and Voters' Vengeance uses comprehensive survey research to explore why New Zealand voters reacted in this way. The answers to over 2000 questionnaires allow the sophisticated analysis of voter behaviour. The authors discuss the increasing volatility of New Zealand politics, the shifts in party commitment, reactions to Rogernomi and other Labour policies, the growth of third-party support, and leadership issues such as the environment, defence and the role of women. Tables, graphs and figures are an essential aspect of the study and they are carefully and clearly presented to show the changing character of New Zealand political opinion.

Publisher Description

Recent U.S. elections have defied nationwide majority preference at the White House, Senate, and House levels. This work of interdisciplinary scholarship explains how “winner-take-all” and single-member district elections make this happen, and what can be done to repair the system. Proposed reforms include the National Popular Vote interstate compact (presidential elections); eliminating the Senate filibuster; and proportional representation using Ranked Choice Voting for House, state, and local elections.