As the year comes to a close, we can reflect on a year for Electoral Reform. Advances give us hope, but underscore how 2018 promises to be the another important year in the history of our drive for Elections that give Americans Greater Choice, a Stronger Voice, and truly Representative Government. I wanted to share notable News about Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) in particular.
RCV boosts Turnout and a Positive Campaign
RCV was used in Four Cities last month, including Minneapolis and St, Paul in Minnesota and Cities in Maryland and Massachusetts. All Four Cities experienced large surges in Voter Participation in their RCV Contests.
It’s been a rollercoaster ride in Maine since Voters’ Win in 2016 when RCV earned the second most Votes in Maine’s Initiative history. The Committee for Ranked Choice Voting is leading the drive for a June 2018 Referendum that would keep RCV in place for all U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and State Primary Elections. With RCV being used for large Candidate fields in Primaries for Governor and other State and Federal Office, the League of Women Voters of Maine is among groups planning a Voter Education. A local TV News Story showcased the current Volunteer-run Petition Campaign, and the Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center is ready and able to help Maine have a terrific first use of RCV.
Victory in Santa Fe, which I supported, keeps RCV on track for 2018: A decade after passing RCV by a Two-to-One Margin, Santa Fe Voters have Won their Right to Elect a New Mayor with RCV in March. FairVote New Mexico’s Maria Perez was a plaintiff in a Winning Lawsuit that last month required the City to use the Turnkey Solution it has for RCV Elections. It’s been inspiring to see big crowds turn out to Court Hearings and City Council Meetings; on Wednesday, the Council made Final Arrangements for how it will use RCV and the City published a New Website.
A Growing number of Cities and States advance RCV as a Reform that earns support from across the spectrum, which is one reason FairVote chooses to focus on it. A number of both “red” and “blue” States will have RCV Bills, 20 did so in 2017, and there are promising opportunities to win RCV in Cities in Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Utah, and Washington.
In New York City, where One of the State Election Board Co-Chairs recently testified in support of adopting RCV in the races for Mayor, Public Advocate, and Comptroller, which currently are Run-Off Elections, if no Candidate gets 40% of the Vote. I hope to work on this project with Two Members of the State Senate and a City Council Member.
Benton County (OR) plans to implement its 2016 Ballot Measure Win for RCV, while the Council of Santa Clara (CA) has unanimously placed a Measure on the June 2018 Ballot to use RCV for Mayor and other Citywide Offices and to establish the Multi-Winner, Fair Representation Form of RCV for City Council Races along the lines of the Fair Representation Act in Congress.
FairVote Supports a strong Coalition of Local Supporters heading off a Repeal attempt in Memphis (TN).
Debut of FairVote’s Voices and Choices Blog
FairVote is increasing their own Content at their New Voices and Choices Blog, and will be placing their Writings on a growing number of Media Channels. Check out regular commentary and analysis, including recent interviews by top Gerrymandering Journalist and FairVote Communications Director Dave Daley with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Congressman Rod Blum and Coverage of Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page’s New Book that calls for RCV and Fair Representation.
FairVote celebrates Democracy Champions and bids Farewell to John Anderson
I was thrilled to be invited to FairVotes 2017 Democracy Champions Awards last month in New York City, with Wonderful Speeches from the likes of Jonathan Alter, Reihan Salam, Liz Krueger, Hendrik Hertzberg, John Avlon, and Rashad Robinson. But also were saddened by the Passing of their remarkable Co-Founder and former Congressman and Presidential Candidate John B. Anderson.
CLICK HERE to read Remembrances.
FairVote is committed to their best year yet in 2018 and appreciate all of you who are chipping in for a better Democracy!
CLICK HERE to give through their Online Donation Portal.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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