Interest in Independence Party Caucuses Grows

On March 2nd, independent voters will be given a voice at Independence Party caucuses. "Interest in our caucuses is growing steadily as evidenced by a considerable increase in calls and e-mails to our state party office," reports Dave Hutcheson, Operations Chair of the Independence Party. He continued, "Congressional District Chairs and statewide conveners are reporting positive feedback from caucus outreach efforts."

Drawing Attendance
Independence Party caucuses offer genuine opportunities for all attendees to participate. It is this focus on grass roots community input and open debate that draws voters to Independence caucuses. Caucus participants will have the opportunity to meet candidates, and direct the Independence Party towards issues important to them. This year, attendees will also participate in a presidential preference poll and proposed statewide resolutions.

Presidential Preference Poll - A hands-on demonstration of Instant Runoff Voting (IRV).
An Instant Run Off (IRV) presidential preference poll will be conducted at all caucus locations to demonstrate the IRV system. IRV eliminates the allegation of any candidate being a "spoiler" in an election or the implication that any vote is "wasted."

In IRV, voters rank their candidate preferences 1,2,3, and so on. Votes are counted for their first choice. If no candidate receives a majority, the last place candidate is eliminated and the ballots cast for the eliminated candidate then default to the voter's second choice candidate. This process continues until one candidate achieves a majority vote.

The IRV ballot demonstration is neither a binding preference poll nor will it lead to the party's endorsement of any candidate. The poll will be the first reading of independent voters at this stage of the presidential election.

Statewide Resolutions - Hearing the community on issues.
Seven statewide resolutions will be voted on. These resolutions intend to stir debate and elicit creativity from participants as they draft resolutions framing the future of the Independence Party and its platform.

Resolutions include these themes:

• Establishing a statewide health insurance pool.
• Replacing corporate income tax with a value added tax.
• Creating regional centers to eliminate government redundancy.
• Create a consistent adult status age in regard to lifestyle decisions.
• Recognizing civil unions verses marriages.
• Local control of education.
• Taking government out of personal behavior.

The Nader Factor
Ralph Nader's announcement to run as an independent presidential candidate may have an impact on Independence Party caucus attendance if his supporters seek a vehicle for ballot access. Current Independence Party members worried about a party take-over may be further energized. (Nader's name will not appear on the IRV ballot because his announcement came after the ballots were printed and distributed but a "write-in" line is included.)

"Ralph Nader's derision toward the "two corporate political parties" and their lack of representation for independent voters echoes the position of the Independence Party over the last 12 years." said Jim Moore, State Party Chair. "However, many of Nader's policy positions do not reflect the centrist spirit of the Independence Party." He continued, "The most successful third parties and independent candidates have been politically centrist while transcending the hollow debate favored by the establishment."

IRV Presidential Ballot available at http://www.mnip.org/irvballot.pdf

Released: 2/24/04