Last week, we told you about FairVote Minnesota’s plans to intervene in the lawsuit against IRV. The lawsuit opposes IRV’s implementation in Minneapolis, slated for 2009, and was brought by a small group of activists who oppose more open elections and more choices for voters. In St. Paul, the lawsuit is being used as justification for blocking a citizen petition -- signed by more than 7,000 voters -- to put an IRV charter amendment question on the ballot this November.

Similar challenges to IRV in other states have been unsuccessful, and we expect that to be the case in Minnesota as well. Nonetheless, FairVote Minnesota will be working to ensure the rights of voters, who overwhelmingly adopted IRV in Minneapolis with 65 percent of the vote, are not impeded.

All parties involved in the lawsuit have indicated their support for FairVote’s intervention request. Since last week, an October 8 hearing has been scheduled.

FairVote is pleased to have top legal counsel working on this matter, including lead co-counselors James Dorsey of the Fredrikson & Byron law firm and Keith Hallelandof the Halleland, Lewis, Nilan and Johnson law firm. Many others will be of assistance, including former city and state government officials and top legal and political minds at the University of Minnesota and
Hamline University.

FairVote Minnesota must raise $25,000 in August to defend IRV in court and to continue its mission of working for better democracy through election reform.

IRV will bring more choices, diverse voices and independent thinking into elections. But until the Minneapolis lawsuit is settled, progress implementing IRV in Minneapolis and adopting IRV in St. Paul and elsewhere will be impeded.

While FairVote Minnesota’s legal counsel will be donating their services for the Minneapolis lawsuit, other expenses will be incurred in the course of winning this crucial battle. Your gift at any level you can - $25, $50, $100, $500 or $1,000 - to our Legal Fund will help us decisively defeat the court challenge
and continue the progressive momentum for IRV in Minnesota. Please contribute today at www.fairvotemn.org/contribute/online.