About the Conference
On October 7-8, the Center for Policy Alternatives, Demos and Common Cause will host an Election Reform Conference. This conference is designed to provide policy content, leadership development and networking opportunities for state legislators to advance an election reform agenda in their states. This conference, targeted to state legislators in the Midwest, has three strategic objectives:
- Raise the awareness of state policymakers of the electoral problems that need repair within their states while providing proposals and best practices that provide solutions to these challenges.
- Develop leadership capacity among policymakers and apply that capacity to effect change within their states.
- Connect these legislators to electoral policy experts, reform advocates and citizen organizers and facilitate the creation of action plans to move a reform agenda forward in their states.
This combination of strategic objectives - leadership, education and networks - has been successfully used to reform public policy and enrich democracy in America.
Who are the sponsors of this conference?
Center for Policy Alternatives
The Center for Policy Alternatives was founded thirty years ago to provide resources for state legislators who struggle with some of the most crucial and vexing challenges confronting policymakers and American society. CPA's mission is to strengthen the capacity of state legislators to lead and achieve progress in the states. CPA's core strategies are to develop the leadership potential of state legislators; provide policymakers with tools and educations resources; and build a robust supportive network of these leaders across America.
Demos
Founded in 1999, Demos' work combines research with advocacy - melding the commitment to ideas of a think tank with the organizing strategies of an advocacy group.
Demos' purpose is to help build a society where America can achieve its highest democratic ideals. Believing, this requires a democracy that is robust and inclusive, with high levels of electoral participation and civic engagement, and an economy where prosperity and opportunity are broadly shared and disparity is reduced, Demos has four main program areas: democracy, economic opportunity, public works and ideas in the public debate.
Common Cause
Common Cause is a nonpartisan nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1970 by John Gardner as a vehicle for citizens to make their voices heard in the political process and to hold their elected leaders accountable to the public interest. With nearly 300,000 members and supporters and 38 state organizations, Common Cause remains committed to honest, open and accountable government, as well as encouraging citizen participation in democracy. Presently its foci are: increase the diversity of voices and ownership in media, to make media more responsive to the needs of citizens in a democracy and to protect the editorial independence of public broadcasting; advance campaign reforms that make people and ideas more important than money; remove barriers to voting and ensure that our voting systems are accurate and accessible; increase participation in the political process, accountability for the costs, in lives and money, for the invasion of Iraq. Common Cause is one of the most active, effective, and respected nonprofit organizations working for political change in America. It strives to strengthen our democracy by empowering our members, supporters and the general public to take action on critical policy issues.
The Carnegie Corporation of New York
This conference is sponsored through a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The Carnegie Corporation was created by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 to promote "the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding." Under Carnegie's will, grants must benefit the people of the United States, although up to 7.4 percent of the funds may be used for the same purpose in countries that are or have been members of the British Commonwealth, with a current emphasis on Commonwealth Africa. As a grantmaking foundation, the Corporation seeks to carry out Carnegie's vision of philanthropy, which he said should aim "to do real and permanent good in this world." One of Carnegie's major programs for 2005 is strengthening US democracy.
Details
Read below to find out more information about the Election Reform Conference and how you can register.
Schedule
For a complete online agenda, follow the link on the left.
Location
All activities will be held at:
Hyatt on Capitol Square, 75 East State Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Cost/Conference Fees
$75 - includes conference workshops and materials, continental breakfast, luncheon, reception and a copy of the Election Reform Policy Book.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available on a limited basis. Please contact Quinta Martin at (202) 956-5132 for more information.
Hotel Accommodations
Conference participants are to make their hotel arrangements directly with the Hyatt on Capitol Square. CPA has reserved a limited block of rooms at the Hyatt at the discount rate of $95 single/$120 double occupancy. Contact Quinta Martin at 202-956-5132 no later than Tuesday, October 4 for reservations. Reservations after October 4 are subject to availability and the hotel's prevailing rate. A credit card or one night deposit will be requested to hold a reservation. No shows or reservations canceled within 24 hours prior to arrival are subject to the first night's rate. Changes to a scheduled reservation departure must be made 24 hours in advance of departure or a $50 early departure fee will be assessed.
Hyatt on Capitol Square
75 East State Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 228-1234
Registration
You may register online here, or by calling Quinta Martin at 202-956-5132.
For More Information:
Contact Quinta Martin at (202) 956-5132 or qmartin@cfpa.org.