Can Iowa improve its voting?

FRIday, July 17

11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
4126 Ingersoll Ave, Waveland Hall, Des Moines

‍in-person and virtual options

Ben Allen
Executive Director, Better Ballot Iowa

Better Ballot Iowa is a new kind of political movement bringing together voters across the political spectrum — Republicans, Democrats, Independents, 3rd Party — around systemic improvements to the way we conduct elections in order to make our political life more positive, constructive, and productive. The Iowan-founded, Iowan-led grassroots non-profit organization advocates for transformative shifts in our elections with two simple changes: the use of single open top-5 primaries and Ranked Choice Voting in the general election.

How does that work? And how do we get there? Join Ben Allen, Executive Director of Better Ballot Iowa, at the July Crossroads to learn more about Iowa's voting systems and what we can do to make politics in America work for more Americans.

There are three ways to attend Crossroads. Registration is required for all three:

• Attend in person (with lunch) by clicking here. Four bag lunch sandwich options are available for $15: turkey, roast beef, ham salad, and vegetarian. You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, July 15. Late orders or walk-in requests for lunch will not be available.
• Attend in person (no lunch) by clicking here. There is no cost for this option, but we must have your RSVP to ensure we have enough seating.
• Watch via YouTube by clicking here. This online presentation will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

ABOUT OUR PRESENTER | Ben Allen is Executive Director of Better Ballot Iowa. His professional background is rooted in the publishing industry as a project manager and departmental lead, creating photo-heavy informational and instructional books within the home improvement, home design, decorating, and gardening subject areas. Ben's stint at Meredith Corporation saw him help create more than 100 books for the Better Homes and Gardens, Ortho, The Home Depot, Stanley, Miracle-Gro, and Scotts brands, among others.

Ben has long served with non-profit organizations to help improve the community in which he lives with terms on the boards of the ACLU of Iowa,  Metro Arts Alliance, and Master Gardeners of Polk County. He also volunteers with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement.

With a Master's degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas (go Jayhawks!), an MBA from Iowa State University (go Cyclones!), and part of his childhood spent in Columbia, Missouri (go Tigers!), Ben is often confused on who to root for at sporting events. He lives in Des Moines with his wife, Marguerite “Peggy” Fitch, and two spoiled cats named Chester and Lily.

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CROSSROADS is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Des Moines.