Welcome
On January 16 and 17, 2007, the Department of Political Science at Kent State University hosted a Symposium entitled 2008 and Beyond: The Future of Election and Ethics Reform in the States. Events was held at the Riffe Center and the Ohio State Capitol Building in Columbus, Ohio. Nationally recognized experts discussed critical topics involving reforms in election and ethics laws across the country and the implications for American democracy.
Symposium organizers and Committee members were:
Dr. Vernon Sykes, Chair
Dr. Carolyn Tolbert, Co-Chair
Dr. Erin O’Brien, Co-Chair
Atty. Jamie Callender, Co-Chair
Overview
Since the State of Ohio has been a key battleground in recent Presidential elections and promises to be a "bell-weather" state in 2008, and has had at least its share of ethical issues in the public arena, as the capital of the state, the City of Columbus is a symbolic choice for this Symposium, and one that will maximize participation by state policymakers and students of state government... read more
Panels
January 16th, 2007, Verne Riffe Center, 31st floor, Conference Center, North Room
Reception, by invitation only (6:00pm-)
- Welcome
Professor Vernon Sykes, Symposium Chair. Department of Political Science and Director, Columbus Program and Intergovernmental Issues. Kent State University
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland (Invited)
- Honorary Award
Presented by
Professor John Logue, Department of Political Science, Kent State University
Professor Caroline Tolbert, Department of Political Science, University of IowaRecipient
Emeriti Professor Kathleen Barber, Department of Political Science, John Carroll University. Author of Proportional Representation and Election Reform in Ohio and A Right to Representation: Proportional Election Systems for the Twenty-first Century.
January 17th, 2007 Riffe Center, Columbus
AM Panels
Welcome (8:00-8:15AM)
Professor Vernon Sykes, Symposium Chair. Department of Political Science and Director, Columbus Program and Intergovernmental Issues. Kent State University
Professor John Logue, Chair, Department of Political Science, Kent State University
Panel One (8:15-10:15AM)
State Election Reforms within the System
Chair: Professor David Magleby, Department of Political Science, Brigham Young University
Panelists
Professor Beth Rosenson, Department of Political Science, University of Florida—ethics and conflict of interest laws
Professor Kenneth Mayer, Department of Political Science, Unviersity of Wisconsin, Madison— campaign finance reforms, public financing, discourse
Paul Gronke, Department of Political Science, Reed College—early voting
Professor Thad Hall, Department of Political Science, University of Utah—election administration, electronic and Internet voting
Professor Lonna Atkeson, Department of Political Science, University of New Mexico and Professor Kyle Saunders, Department of Political Science, Colorado State University—election administration.
Break (10:15-10:30AM) Coffee
Panel Two (10:30AM-12:30PM)
Structural Reforms of State Election Systems
Chair: Professor Bruce Cain, Department of Political Science, University of California, Berkeley.
Panelists
Professor Michael McDonald, Department of Public and International Affairs, George Mason University—legislative redistricting
Professor Christopher Mooney, Department of Political Science, University of Illinois, Springfield and editor State Politics and Policy Quarterly—legislative term limits
Professor Barry Burden, Department of Political Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison—ballot access, third parties, multiple parties
Professor Christopher Cooper, Department of Political Science, Western Carolina University—multimember districts.
Professor Daniel Smith, Department of Political Science, University of Florida—direct democracy/ initiatives and referenda
Lunch (12:30-1:45PM)
Introduction: Professor Todd Donovan, Department of Political Science, Western Washington University
Rob Richie, Director, Fairvote.org: electoral college reform/National Popular Vote Plan, instant run-off elections and other reforms, including early voter registration at 16 years of age.
PM Panels
Panel Three (1:45-3:00PM)
Perspectives from State Administrative Leaders
Chair: Professor Erin O’Brien, Department of Political Science, Kent State University
Tony W. Bledsoe, Legislative Inspector General, Office of the Legislative Inspector General
David Freel, Executive Director of the Ohio Ethics Commission
Philip C. Richter, Executive Director of the Ohio Elections Commission, Elc.ohio.gov
Thomas P. Charles, Inspector General, Watchdog.ohio.gov
Break (3:00-3:15PM)
Panel Four (3:15-4:30PM)
Perspectives from State Elected Officials
Chair: Professor Vernon Sykes, Department of Political Science, Kent State University
Marc Dann, Attorney General of Ohio
Jennifer Brunner, the Ohio Secretary of State
Panel Five (4:30-5:30PM)
Summary and General Overview
Chair: Professor Caroline Tolbert, Department of Political Science, University of Iowa
Speakers
Professor Todd Donovan, Department of Political Science, Western Washington University.
Professor Bruce Cain, Department of Political Science and Director of the University of California Washington DC Program. University of California, Berkeley.