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What & Why, How & Who

Below you will find detailed information regarding Mandate Democracy^®. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

What is Mandate Democracy™?

Federal-level Initiative & Referenda: Caltech Alumni + Other participating institutions.
Citizen-initiated — No “ballot access barriers,” petitions, legislative & special interest $$.
Enabled by cutting-edge IT, blockchain online voting, cyber-security, big data analytics.
Project derived from developed, pilot-tested ballots with Senate Budget Committee.
Rigorous design, control and analysis to advance state-of-the-art Democracy.
Platform for faculty research, scholarly contributions, U.S. and international.
An inevitable, emerging political technology paradigm.

Why Should We Restore Governance Integrity?

U.S. now downgraded to a “Flawed Democracy” : Poor electoral participation &
- “Continued erosion of trust in government & elected officials.”
- (Interational Democracy Index)
“Aristocratic” (Privileged, self-perpetuating revolving-door ruling class)
- Supported by: “Plutocracy” (… a small minority of the wealthiest interests )
Degrading both the Political & Economic marketplaces.
~~ Only 18% trust Government to “do the right thing” (historic low) (Pew)
~~ 75% say “Government corruption widespread” (worst Western democracy) (Gallup)
~~ 81% say “Federal Government is corrupt” (Rasmussen 2016)
#2 Issue for U.S. Millennials : Govt/Corruption (Inequality #1) (World Ec. Forum 2018)
Ruling demographics:
- Plutocrats | Career politicians | Party functionaries | Lawyer/lobbyist
The Two Party business model : Branding | Propaganda | imagery | Sophistry
~~ Mad Men marketing : Sloganeering | Demagoguery | Staged rallies
“Play to Your Base,” dog-whistle “Others” :
- Cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, gender prejudice.
~~ Intentional, fomented civic polarization for vote-pandering & fund-raising.
~~ Scapegoating | Blame-game | Deadlock | Splintered factions-within-factions.

Supportive Resources and Facts

~~ 71% say Washington “does not represent people like yourself. ”
~~ 74% say they’re “Angry” at the “way the Parties are dealing with the country’s problems. ”
~~ 78% of Independents say Parties “do such a poor job of representing the people. ”
~~ 42% self-identify as “Independent” : Plurality over Ds (29%), Rs (26%) — historic lows.
~~ 85% of millennials say government is “run by a few big interests looking out for themselves and their friends. ” (Common to all demographics) (Univ. of Chicago 2018)
Cause of government dysfunction? (Multiple choice) (Univ. of Maryland 2017)
~~ 96% pick money in politics (#1 most chosen)
~~ 94% pick big donors (#2)
~~ 93% pick Political Extremists (#3)

Features of Mandate Democracy™

Referenda on specific propositions, prepared for executive & legislative action.
Pledges & Accountability from candidates, officials for post-election implementation.
Constitutionally-grounded in principles of a democratic Republic.
Ballot issues: Government integrity measures | Budget allocations | Policy concerns.
Factual public information published pre-election, multi-media dissemination.
Pro/Con & Consequences information on policy & budget options available.
Facilitate integrated voter registration channels & Internet accessibility.

Why Caltech Alums?

Credibility & Trust: Source of information & Governance mechanics.
Engrained scientific ethos : “The Truth shall make you Free,” Caltech motto.
Analytical | Skeptical | Conscientious | Informed | Motivated.
“I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men…where I was capable of thinking for myself.” ~~ Thomas Jefferson
#1 top Institution trusted by Millennials : Scientists 57%.
Public trust (fair/great deal) : Scientists 76% (#2 only to military ).
80% say (very/somewhat) “important for elected officials to listen to scientists. ”
“Confidence they act in public interest” (great deal/fair amount) (Pew 2016).
- 84% say Medical Scientists (#1)
- 79% say Military (#2)
- 76% say Scientists (#3).
- 27% say Elected officials (lowest category)

Where is Mandate Democracy™?

National expansion for online voting in conjunction with 2020 elections.
Locally-adaptable web i-vote modules — all cyber-secure, transparent, auditable.
Alums/Reps for local anchor, coordination, oversight & officials’ accountability.
Active collaboration with university political science and technology programs.
Enables single choice or Priority-scaled, Ranked-voting to gauge breadth and intensity.
Adapt online voting blockchain & n-programming modules to electoral districts.
Votes cast within a 45-day window ending on Election day.
Built on official Registered Voter Lists — Encoded, protected, One Person/One Vote.
Facilitate integral locally-qualified voter registration channels.

Objectives & Impact of Mandate Democracy™