The Center for Political Participation & the New York Times Knowledge Network present:
The Inaugural Event of the Nomination Reform Initiative
An Invitation to Shape the Future of the Presidential Nomination Process
When:
February 13, 2008
11:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
Where:
Allegheny College, Campus Center
Meadville, Pennsylvania
Why:
To engage in meaningful discussions on the future of the presidential nomination process.
The process of selecting presidential party nominees, a critically important mechanism in America's political system, has changed in numerous significant ways over the past two centuries. And, by all accounts, the nomination process–already in freefall–will not endure another election. A New York Times editorial on Sept. 2, 2007 described the current process as a "Wild West" approach and called for party leaders to "begin a discussion of reform proposals now."
A parallel and equally significant problem is the profound lack of interest in voting among our nation's youth, a phenomenon that is even more apparent in primary elections and caucuses. The program on February 13 will train a critical eye on the future of presidential nominations as a mechanism to engage young voters and explore innovative models for the nomination process.
The one-day conference, in conjunction with a four-week online course offered via the New York Times Knowledge Network, will explore past, present, and future changes within the presidential nomination process, focusing particular attention on likely reforms that could be in place before the 2012 election.
Twenty-five colleges will send student teams to Allegheny College to publicly present their best ideas for reform. The strongest of these ideas will be thoroughly explored in the final week of the four-week on-line course. Panels, discussion groups, and a plenary dinner will allow students to dig into the ramifications of a wide range of innovative approaches to nomination system reform.
Kicking off the day's activities, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. each team will display their reform idea during the open poster session in the Allegheny College Campus Center. Teams will be encouraged to answer questions and "sell" their idea to conference guests. Teams may, if they wish, provide supplemental handouts and other promotional materials (e.g., buttons, bookmarks, magnets) to interest voters in their proposal. During the open poster session, a panel of political experts will visit each table to evaluate ideas for creativity, practicality, and potential to positively impact youth participation in the 2012 election and beyond. In addition, a "ballot box" will allow conference guests to vote for their favorite reform idea.
At a reception immediately following the poster session, each team will be introduced and the three top-ranked ideas (based on the panel's evaluation) will be announced. Representatives of the selected teams will be invited to give a PowerPoint presentation to the full conference. A "Conference Choice" award, based on the day's ballot box results, will also be given, with the "Conference Choice" team invited to give a PowerPoint presentation as well.
Wrapping up the daytime program, Jane Eisner, a pioneer in journalism in Philadelphia and vice president of national programs and initiatives of the National Constitution Center, will present the keynote address at the plenary dinner, which will be free to all conference attendees.
Capping the day's academic conference, Allegheny College will host an exciting evening program, which will be open to the public. A nationally prominent panel, moderated by Professor Daniel M. Shea, featuring Andy Rosenthal (editorial page editor, The New York Times) and a panel of well-known elected officials and practitioners, will participate in an open discussion of the students' ideas and their own about the direction of nomination reform in America.
The panel discussion will be streamed live online via the New York Times Knowledge Network.
Daniel M. Shea is a professor of political science at Allegheny College and director of the Allegheny College Center for Political Participation.
Professor Shea has a bachelor of arts in political science and American studies from the State University of New York at Oswego and a master of arts in campaign management/applied politics from the University of West Florida. He earned a Ph.D. in political science from the State University of New York at Albany.
Professor Shea has written or edited twelve books on the American electoral process. His most recent project, Living Democracy (Prentice Hall, 2007), is a text on American government designed to inspire students and help them experience the impact of government in their daily lives. In 2007 Shea also edited, with John C. Green, The Fountain of Youth: Strategies and Tactics for Mobilizing America's Young Voters (Rowman and Littlefield).
The Center for Political Participation is dedicated to fostering an appreciation for the vital link between an engaged, active citizenry and a healthy democracy. To that end, the center seeks new strategies and mechanisms for promoting political participation among all citizens, with a particular focus on young Americans.
The Center for Political Participation opened on October 18, 2002 with the goals of helping all Americans better understand the importance of political action and getting involved. The center has established programs for three audiences: our students (campus activities), scholars nationwide (scholarly research), and citizens of the wider community (educational outreach).
