Published on November 27, 2024
In our year 2024, election year, the issue of voting in the United States is more important than ever. Voting is a key part of democracy that gives people the power to shape their country’s future. It is a way for each person to have a say in important issues like climate change, the economy, social justice, abortion, and more. With so much at stake, the upcoming elections remind us just how crucial it is to take part in the democratic process and make sure our voices are heard.
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On Sunday, October 13, 2024, the Meaningful Movies Project collaborated yet again with Fix Democracy First to host a free online screening of the documentary film, Majority Rules (2024) directed by AJ Schnack that was released earlier this year in June. This screening was dedicated to Susan Harmon, a passionate advocate for human rights and the environment, whose love, wisdom, and activism inspired many. Our screening was attended by over 100 participants and followed by a focused panel discussion with guest speakers Jason Grenn and Lisa Ayrault.
Majority Rules is a documentary that explores the ongoing changes to the current United States elections to attempt to reform the current systems to reflect what America strives to cultivate in a democratic system: to make sure that everyone’s voices are heard and that political action reflects the voices of the majority. Majority Rules focuses on the introduction of ranked choice voting specifically in Alaska and the ways in which ranked choice voting has affected election results and processes. As described by Fair Vote:
Ranked choice voting (RCV) — also known as instant runoff voting (IRV) — makes our elections better by allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference. RCV is straightforward: Voters have the option to rank candidates in order of preference: first, second, third and so forth. If your first choice doesn’t have a chance to win, your ballot counts for your next choice. RCV works in all types of elections and supports more representative outcomes. RCV means better choices, better campaigns, and better representation. That’s why it’s the fastest-growing voting reform in the nation
.In the specific context of Alaska, this voting method was seen to empower voters, promote fairness, and reduce polarization in elections. The documentary reveals how RCV disrupts unfair systems of elections that previously predetermined outcomes and left many people feeling their votes held little power. Candidates are encouraged to rethink their campaigning strategies in order to connect with a wider array of constituents, understand their needs, and take meaningful action to gain their support at the polls.
The film ended with optimism regarding the future and implementation of RCV across the country as more and more states begin to adopt this method in their elections, fostering changes to cultivate a more equitable America where every voice is heard and every vote counts.
Post Film Discussion:
The conversation around RCV continued after the screening of the film with a panel discussion featuring guest speakers Jason Grenn, former Executive Director for Alaskans for Better Elections, and Lisa Ayrault, Director of FairVote Washington. With both pre-written questions and audience participation through the Zoom Q&A feature, the discussion explored the impact of RCV on political issues like polarization and misinformation. Furthermore, the panel addressed the opposition RCV encounters from those across the political spectrum who currently benefit from existing electoral systems and see RCV as a threat to their positions of power.
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Find out more: Meaningful Movies Project
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Donate to Meaningful Movies Project at: https://meaningfulmovies.org/donate/
Donations to Fix Democracy First at: https://www.fixdemocracyfirst.org/donate
Learn more about your native lands at: https://native-land.ca/
Online Auction Meaningful Movies Project – https://meaningfulmovies.winningbidder.com/event/3582
Ranked Choice Voting Resources:
FairVote Washington – https://fairvotewa.org/
FairVote National – https://fairvote.org/
Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center – https://www.rcvresources.org/
Campaign Legal Center – Ranked Choice Voting – https://campaignlegal.org/democracyu/accountability/ranked-choice-voting
Proportional representation, explained – https://protectdemocracy.org/work/proportional-representation-explained/
Alaska – Ranked Choice Voting – https://www.elections.alaska.gov/election-information/#RankedChoice
Alaskans for Better Elections – https://www.alaskansforbetterelections.com/learn-more/ranked-choice-voting/
Oregon Ranked Choice Voting – https://www.oregonrcv.org/
Portland, OR – Ranked Choice Voting – https://www.portland.gov/vote
Here’s how Portland’s ranked choice voting system works – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43sNEWbFq_k
Seattle, WA – Ranked Choice Voting – https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/elections/ranked-choice-voting-in-seattle
Call to Action
Register to Vote – Update as needed
Help Register Voters – Educate voters on rules & restrictions
Become a Poll Worker – Reach out to local election offices
Help Other States – Write postcards, phone bank, etc.
Contact Elected Officials – Push them to expand voting access
Join Organizations – Local & National
Advocate to Expand Voting Access – Locally & Nationally
Run for Office – We need dedicated people to get elected!
Help Get Out the Vote to increase turnout!
VOTE!
Some National Democracy/Voting Organizations:
Transformative Justice Coalition – https://tjcoalition.org
Declaration for American Democracy – https://dfadcoalition.org
League of Women Voters – https://www.lwv.org
Power the Polls – https://www.powerthepolls.org
Fair Fight – https://fairfight.com
NAACP Legal Defense Fund – https://www.naacpldf.org
Democracy Works – https://www.democracy.works
More Equitable Democracy – https://www.equitabledemocracy.org
Brennan Center for Justice – https://www.brennancenter.org
Center for Common Ground – https://www.centerforcommonground.org
FairVote – https://www.fairvote.org
National Children’s Campaign – https://nationalchildrenscampaign.org
Public Citizen – https://www.citizen.org
Common Cause – https://www.commoncause.org
Democracy Docket – https://www.democracydocket.com
Protect Democracy – https://protectdemocracy.org
Citizen Connect – List of organizations – https://citizenconnect.us/organizations
Rock the Vote – https://www.rockthevote.org
Vote 411 – https://www.vote411.org
When We All Vote – https://whenweallvote.org
Represent US – https://represent.us
Synopsis: Alaska gears up to do something no other state has ever done: adopt a pair of election reforms that will eliminate traditional party primaries and allow voters to rank their candidates by preference.
Directed By: AJ Schnack
Initial Release: June 14, 2024
Available to Stream on: Amazon Prime, Youtube, Apple TV
