About the National Association of Nonpartisan Reformers
What unites us is being pro-voter, not anti-party. We favor a robust competition of numerous political parties and independents, and a level playing field on which that can occur. Our members have led campaigns for changes that increase electoral competition like Colorado’s more open primary and redistricting reform, Maine’s statewide ranked choice voting initiative, and California’s top-two nonpartisan primary system.
Being a NANR member gives you access to this trusted network of experienced partners, advisors, vendors, and other resources to make sure you have all the tools to advance reform nationally, in states and in your community.
the NANR Preamble
We, as individuals and/or representatives of organizations, in order to foster a government that is representative of and responsive to the people, are dedicated to advancing electoral reforms and strategies that increase competition, participation, and accountability in our political system. Major party incumbents have created institutional barriers to insulate themselves from these reforms.
The absence of a competitive political system denies voters fair and equitable access to their government. Such absence of access further denies candidates for elected office any reasonable capacity to freely express their opinions, offer such opinions for consideration of the electorate, or otherwise impact the course of public policy.
Further, the destruction of electoral competition diminishes the role of innovation in our political discourse, including within the Republican and Democratic parties, replacing the historic focus on new ideas in the American public square with the specter of the two parties’ prevailing views.
We further recognize that the remedy to our unrepresentative and unresponsive government is to transfer control of the electoral process back to the people by challenging the institutionalized advantages that any party has, and we resolve to mount that challenge.
We believe that a more fair and competitive election system will not only strengthen our democracy, but will also improve the responsiveness and credibility of the two major parties. We favor a robust competition of numerous political parties and independents, and a level playing field on which that can occur.
In our common pursuit of this right and essential objective, we support the establishment of a formal Association of nonpartisan, reform-oriented organizations and individuals that can facilitate shared resources, establish common objectives, and promote general efforts to provide more choice to voters and better representation to every citizen of the United States regardless of their party affiliation or non-affiliation.
Who We Are
These structural reforms and related legal efforts include, but are not limited to, nonpartisan and open primaries, ranked choice voting, competitive redistricting, a level playing field for nonpartisan candidates, and debate access.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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THE OPPORTUNITY
Today, the momentum for nonpartisan reform is growing exponentially. To capitalize on this growth, organizations within the space need to start building an institutional knowledge base, learning from and leveraging each success and/or failure for each successive effort.
NANR’s members, collectively, have the experience and resources to begin the long-term process of building these resources including:
- Branding
- Database(s)
- Funding sources
- Press and public relations
- Professional vendors
- Political action committees
NANR, itself, cannot and will not build these resources. Rather, NANR is the vehicle for its members to collaborate on strategies in order to build these resources for the long-term benefit of all of its members. That strategic collaboration has begun.
What we dO
As an organizing body for nonpartisan reformers, NANR’s functions should be limited in scope and directed toward activities that serve the benefit of its entire membership.
For example, NANR may:
- Host an annual summit for nonpartisan leaders
- Execute agreements for the benefit of its members
- Develop long-term strategies and goals on behalf of its members
- Connect members with credible nonpartisan resources, vendors, and funders
- Facilitate nonpartisan investment opportunities on behalf of funders including legal support and media platforms
- Publish editorials and conduct press relations on behalf of its membership
Learn about what kind of policies our members are working on.
What WE DO NOT DO
As an organizing body for nonpartisan reformers, NANR’s functions shall not exceed its limited scope as to participate in activities that could otherwise be accomplished by one or more of its members.
NANR will not:
- Lead legislative or initiative efforts
- Provide professional services
- Endorse candidates
- Expand beyond an organizing and supportive body