Can Iowa improve its voting?
Ben Allen
Executive Director, Better Ballot Iowa
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Friday, July 17, 2026 | 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Plymouth Congregational Church, Waveland Hall
4126 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines
** in-person event **
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.
You may make your reservation to attend in-person (no lunch) by clicking on the "Register Now" button. There is no cost to attend, but your reservation is necessary to ensure enough seating.
If you have any issues registering, please email info@interfaithallianceiowa.org or call 515.279.8715.
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.
Crossroads is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Des Moines.