In this issue: 

Could a Non-Majority Winner Take the Governor's Office -- Again? | U.K. and U.S. Voters Demanding More Read Choices and Fairer Representation | Support for RCV Strong at Party Conventions | RCV Empowering Communities of Color | Poll: Ranked Your Favorite Reform | Duluth City Council Discusses RCV | Mpls Releases Cost Report of Successful RCV Rollout | Sweet Reform | Your Contribution Makes a Difference

Could a Non-Majority Winner Take the Governor’s Office -- Again?

As the 2010 gubernatorial election draws near, the prospect of non-majority winners in both the three-way DFL primary and the three-way general election looks increasingly likely. It wouldn’t be the first time: Minnesota hasn’t seen a governor take office with even 50 percent of the popular vote since Arne Carlson won in 1994. Costly recounts in either the DFL primary, the general election, or both are entirely in the realm of possibility.

The GOP’s endorsed candidate is Tom Emmer, while the Independence Party has endorsed Tom Horner. Margaret Anderson Kelliher is the DFL’s endorsee; Matt Entenza and Mark Dayton are also running in the DFL primary. A KSTP/Survey USA poll released May 7 showed Emmer beating the IP’s Horner and any of the three DFLers; in all three hypothetical scenarios, Emmer comes out with a plurality (41 or 42 percent). Another poll, conducted by Minnesota Public Radio and the Humphrey Institute, shows Dayton leading the other two DFL candidates, and gives him a narrow 4 percent lead over Emmer in the general election. The same poll projects that Emmer would defeat either Kelliher or Entenza by a paper-thin margin.  

Elections that produce winners who lack majority support – or worse, who are actually opposed by a majority of voters – do not tend to yield the kind of constructive political dialogue and thoughtful, cross-partisan policymaking for which many Minnesotans yearn. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Ranked Choice Voting could move us away from political extremism and stridency, giving voters more choices and boosting candidates who are more broadly representative of the electorate.

 While we can’t implement it statewide in time to affect this year’s gubernatorial election, we can and must work for it in the months and years ahead to break free of the disappointing pattern of recent years. FairVote Minnesota urgently needs your support to help make statewide reform a reality in the coming years – PLEASE DONATE TODAY!

 Follow updates on RCV the 2010 election on Facebook and Twitter.

U.K. and U.S. Voters Demanding More Real Choices and Fairer Representation

The failings of a “winner-takes-all” electoral system were on display in Great Britain earlier this month, when voters inclined to support a third party – the Liberal Democrats, led by the popular Nicholas Clegg – were cowed into “tactical voting” for major-party candidates by fears of wasted votes. Those fears have become so accepted, so institutionalized that the Independent newspaper even published a pre-election tactical voting guide. Voting has become a cynical harm-reduction exercise in the UK and voters in Minnesota are on the same treadmill.

A recent UK poll shows that nearly 60 percent of voters there support RCV (called Alternative Vote in the UK) to eliminate the "spoiler" problem, provide more choice to voters and deliver majority winners.

On this side of the pond, a new poll shows that 31 percent of Americans believe the U.S.needs a viable third party. And here in Minnesota, voters have demonstrated a desire for third-party options – from the Farmer-Labor Party, before it merged with the Democratic Party, to the Independence and Green parties of today. In the aforementioned KSTP/Survey USA poll, 24 percent of Minnesota respondents self-identified as Independent.

RCV is an achievable path to reform, a way to eliminate the “spoiler effect” and allow other parties – addressing issues of real concern to voters – to truly be a part of the process.

Follow updates on RCV and the 2010 election on Facebook and Twitter. Help us continue our work to enhance democracy by making a donation and volunteeringfor FairVote Minnesota.

Support for RCV Strong at Party Conventions

Momentum for reform continues to grow in Minnesota. With help from our amazing volunteers and donors, FairVote Minnesota made Ranked Choice Voting a key part of the discussions at state party conventions this spring. We connected with thousands of civic-minded Minnesotans, earned more than 2,000 new supporters, and attracted more than 300 new followers on Facebook. A hearty welcome to all our new supporters, including DFL-endorsed Congressional candidates Dan Powers (CD2) and Jim Meffert (CD3). Check our current list of candidates seeking federal, state, and local office who support RCV.

Watch this clip of DFL gubernatorial candidates voicing robust support for RCV “This is about including more people in the process . . . . We can do this and it works well,” said Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher, who went on to win the DFL’s endorsement at the convention.

And check out this video of FairVote’s Jeanne Massey and Independence Party Chair Jack Uldrich discussing RCV at the IP convention, where the party endorsed Tom Horner for the governor’s race. “We are now a three-party – or more – state, and we need a voting system that can accommodate that political competitiveness,” Massey said. She touted the unqualified success of Minneapolis’ first RCV election in 2009, with 95 percent of voters calling it easy to use and only one single spoiled ballot.

Uldrich called Ranked Choice Voting “the single greatest reform” voters could achieve. “It will guarantee not only the viability of the Independence Party, but the growth of the Independence Party – and other political voices.” He urged citizens to push for RCV and put an end to the need for tactical voting. “What an awful way to have to vote – to have to vote strategically, as opposed to voting with your heart. [RCV] is a much better way.”

Empowering Communities of Color in CA

As the California cities of Oakland, Berkeley, and San Leandro prepare to transition to Ranked Choice Voting, their efforts are bolstered by the way RCV has led to more inclusive, broadly representative government in San Francisco.

A May 13 panel discussion organized by the Political Reform Program of the New America Foundation and a coalition called Oakland Rising brought together voters, activists, candidates, officeholders and journalists to discuss how RCV is making San Francisco politics more responsive to underrepresented communities. RCV has increased voter participation, they noted, and is compelling candidates to reach out to constituents – particularly communities of color and low-income voters – they might historically have written off. It’s also fostering more civil, issue-based campaigns.

“You do have a lot less negative campaigning,” said Phil Ting, San Francisco’s elected Assessor Recorder. And the improved voting system helps keep “communities enfranchised,” he added, noting how RCV has allowed Chinese-American candidates in San Francisco to compete against each other without fearing that Chinese-American voters would split their votes and lose representation.

Opponents' claims that the system could prove unwieldy or overly complex have been shown to be unfounded, Ting said, pointing to an exit poll conducted by San Francisco State University that showed “zero confusion” on the part of voters. One panelist, political consultant Jim Stearns, had originally opposed IRV but said San Francisco's experience had converted him. Read analysis of the discussion here.

Poll: Rank Your Favorite RCV Reform

Ranked Choice Voting offers a host of much-needed reforms. We’ve included, in a new poll on our website, three popular benefits of RCV, and we’d like you to rank them in order of preference. Which aspect of RCV are you most excited about: more choices for voters, an end to “spoiler” elections and wasted votes, or more civil and issue-oriented campaigns? Results will tabulated July 1 and posted on our website. Cast your ballot at the top of the FairVote MN website, and remember to tell your friends and family members to vote as well.

Duluth City Council Discusses RCV; Foes Repeat Discredited Claims

The Duluth City Council received its first formal presentation May 10 on Ranked Choice Voting. Thanks to Bob Wahman, co-chair of the Duluth RCV Steering Committee, for his comprehensive presentation on how RCV works and why it’s a better way to hold local elections. Wahman urged the council to support RCV and the community initiative to place RCV on the ballot. FairVote Minnesota Executive Director Jeanne Massey was on hand to answer questions from the council.

Opponent Andy Cilek with the Minnesota Voters Alliance (the organization that led the lawsuit against RCV in Minneapolis and is now leading the effort to require voter photo identification) was also invited to make his case. Cilek argued that RCV is "unconstitutional,” despite last year's unanimous Minnesota Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of RCV. Unfortunately, due in part to MVA’s anti-reform efforts, this contention continues to gain traction in some quarters. 

If you live in Duluth, please contact your councilors and let them know this argument is false (read FairVote MN press release on court ruling and Duluth resident David Vose's response to Cilek's arguments in the Duluth News Tribune). Claims by opponents that RCV is not constitutional are deceptive efforts to mislead and confuse public officials and voters. The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that RCV upholds the constitutional principle of one-person, one vote. Moreover, RCV increases voter participation, makes voting simpler for voters, is fairer to all candidates, and more accurately reflects the will of the voters.

A straw poll among the councilors to assess support for putting RCV on the ballot this fall showed split support: Just four of the nine councilors -- Anderson, Gardner, Boyle and Hartman -- indicated support; councilors Gauthier, Fedora, Fosle and Stauber indicated opposition. Tony Cuneo, an RCV supporter, was absent. Also worth noting is that while Boyle and Hartman favor putting RCV on the ballot, they have some concerns about how the process works in the two-seat at-large races.

Given the mixed perspectives on the council at present, the Duluth RCV Steering Committee is considering its options for moving forward with a ballot measure this year. It will meet Thursday, May 27, at noon at the Sheraton Hotel, to discuss next steps.  Please contact Bob Wahman (rwahman@duluthmn.com) or Mary Evans (mevans@d.umn.edu) if you’re interested in attending or would like more information.

Follow updates RCV in Duluth on Facebook and Twitter.

Minneapolis Releases Cost Report of Successful RCV Rollout

A new report by Minneapolis Interim Elections Director Ginny Gelms concludes that costs associated with the city’s 2009 switch to Ranked Choice Voting were approximately $365,000.  Of the total cost, slightly more than a third encompassed one-time expenditures that will not be required in subsequent elections.  

The report also noted that additional cost efficiencies are expected as voting equipment is put in place and voters and election judges become increasingly familiar with the system.
The first RCV election in Minneapolis last November proved highly successful, with 95 percent of voters polled calling it easy to use. The April 26 report noted that Minneapolis’ 2009 municipal election cost $1.47 million, an increase over the $1.13 million spent in 2005 (adjusting for inflation). The hand count in the 2009 election represented the largest portion of RCV-specific expenses. Should a hand count be needed in the next election, however, the city can consider other options for cost savings such as removing the requirement to record the names of all write-ins (as former Minneapolis Elections Director Pat O’Connor has recommended).

The report also indicated that if RCV-capable voting equipment was available in the next election to tally the ballots, costs would be reduced by more than half. RCV-ready machines will be used in Alameda County, in California's East Bay, where three ciites are preparing to move forward with electoral reform this year (see related article above).

The highly effective voter education effort leading up to the 2009 election was the other major RCV-related outlay, accounting for 30 percent of RCV costs. In the entire election, just one ballot – among 45,968 ballots cast – proved defective. These results illustrate the importance of voter outreach and education, efforts which council member Robert Lilligren says should be a priority – to improve voter familiarity with city elections and promote turnout – regardless of whether RCV is used. Read FairVote Minnesota’s statement on the cost report.

Former Interim Elections Director Patrick O'connor, who oversaw the implementation of RCV in Minneapolis, reflects on his experience and the successful introduction of RCV in Minneapolis:

"I have had the great fortune to be a small part of what could easily be considered the most significant civic exercise in the history of Minnesota government...the implementation of the first Ranked Choice Voting election in Minneapolis.  We proved that it could be well administered, quickly and accurately counted, and that voters had little problem with the concept."

Sweet Reform: RCV Demo Election to Decide Top Dessert

Supporters of Ham Lake Mayor and Senate District 49 candidate Paul Meunier will sample the sweet taste of electoral reform this Saturday, May 22, at a house party and Ranked Choice Voting demo election. Guests will use to RCV to help elect the best dessert of the evening.

“Democracy works best when the will of the people is served by someone obtaining more than 50 percent of the vote,” Meunier says. “No elected person or candidate should ever be afraid of securing the majority of votes to earn their seat. It’s that simple.” Saturday’s gathering will be hosted by Jennifer and Mark Dietz; click here for more details. Demonstration elections are a fun, easy, and effective way to educate people about how RCV works; contact FairVote Minnesota if you’d like to host an RCV demo election or conduct an online RCV election.

 Your Contribution Makes A Difference

Working toward a fairer, smarter, and ultimately more cost-effective electoral system costs money – and like many other defenders of the status quo, our opponents are well-financed. Please make a donation today -- $500, $100, $50 -- any amount you can afford -- to help us continue our work for electoral reform. Your support is deeply appreciated!

You can help promote Ranked Choice Voting in many other ways, too. Please, if you haven’t already, join our Facebook and Twitter pages. Help spread the word by using Facebook and Twitter to forward/repost RCV articles and columns and share our news with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Talk one-on-one with your friends about why the time has come for meaningful electoral reform across Minnesota.If you are a writer or a blogger, post your own messages or send a letter to the editor of  your local paper.

Volunteer at FairVote Minnesota’s information booths, join our Speakers' Bureau or help with data entry -- become involved in any way you can given your time and interests.  Help us create a better democracy in Minnesota!

THANK YOU!