Publicly Responsive Elected Officials

California's process for electing public officials does not ensure the public interest is reflected in the candidates who are chosen or the public decisions they make.

The electoral system and the priorities of many officials seeking re-election are compromised in the following ways:

1. The electoral system dissuades many capable, civic-minded Californians from seeking office.
2. Once elected, many legislators are pressured by special interests and partisan priorities rather than a strong connection to their constituents.
3. While the initiative process remains an important tool of direct democracy, it needs to be refined to give voters better developed and understood policy choices.

California Forward seeks reforms that strengthen the electoral process so elected officials are motivated and empowered to respond to the needs and priorities of all Californians and reach pragmatic solutions to the most significant problems. 

California Forward has endorsed the California Voter's First redistricting initiative, which will appear as Proposition 11 on the November ballot.

What you can do —

The campaign is looking for your support!  You can endorse the proposition, inform friends, or write to your legislator to encourage them to support California Voter's First.  For more information on this initiative and on what you can do to help, please visit the campaign website: http://cavotersfirst.com.

In the future, we will be exploring a number of potential governance issues, including some of the ideas that previous reform efforts have considered.  Among them:

Campaign finance reforms that reduce the cost of running for office and the time devoted to raising campaign funds, as well as the distorting influence of money in the development of practical solutions to important public problems.

Reforms to the elections process - including primary, runoff, special and general elections - that inspire and enable candidates to be responsive to all residents and to encourage voters to participate in elections.

Term length and term limits reforms that enable leaders to build expertise in complex issues and make decisions in the long-term interests of the state, while responding to public concerns about special interest influence and the difficulty of holding incumbents accountable.

Initiative process reforms that enable thorough public review and refinement of ballot measures, and provide the public with clear and understandable choices.