FW: Rep. Kefalas Legislative Alert: HB-1378 Ranked Voting on 4/2
Jan Kok
From: "John Kefalas" <jkefal...@frii.com>
To: "John Kefalas" <jkefal...@frii.com>
Subject: Rep. Kefalas Legislative Alert: HB-1378 Ranked Voting on 4/2
Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 05:40:50 +0000
LEGISLATIVE ALERT: HB-1378 - RANKED VOTING METHODS
CONTACT STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEMBERS BY 4/2!
Sponsors: Representative John Kefalas/Senator Ken Gordon
HB08-1378, �RANKED VOTING METHODS� will be heard by the House
Committee on State, Veterans and Military Affairs this Thursday, April
3, upon adjournment. This bill creates a pilot program to promote
voting reform that strengthen majority rule and help eliminate
inequities in the current voting system. Please contact the members
of the House State Affairs Committee and urge them to pass HB-1378.
WHAT HB 08-1378 DOES:
The bill allows municipalities, special districts and counties to use
ranked voting methods in their elections.
� Directs the Secretary of State to conduct a pilot program in
which a specified number of jurisdictions elect their officers in 2009
and 2010 using ranked voting methods
� Directs the Secretary of State to adopt rules and provide
guidance to local governments on conducting elections using ranked
voting methods
� After 7/1/09 requires new voting systems certified in Colorado
to be ready for use with ranked voting methods
What are Ranked Voting Methods?
There are two basic types of ranked voting. When electing a single
winner, it is called Instant Runoff Voting (IRV). In multi-seat
elections it is called Choice or Proportional Voting. Both are proven
voting methods that help avoid the problem of "spoiler" candidates.
Just like a traditional runoff, IRV elects whichever of the top two
finishers has majority support, but in one election rather than two.
If there is no initial majority winner, an instant runoff count will
be conducted. In multi-seat elections Choice Voting assures that the
majority will elect the majority of seats but that significant
minorities can also elect a number of seats roughly proportional to
their votes.
Ranked Voting has Already Been Adopted in Colorado
Basalt and Aspen adopted ranked voting and could benefit from state
standardized procedures and certification of voting systems that are
capable of conducting elections using ranked voting.
Ranked Voting Methods are Widely Used
San Francisco, CA; Burlington, VT; Minneapolis, MN and Sarasota, FL
are cities that have switched to IRV. North Carolina has an official
pilot program and has conducted IRV elections. Washington state allows
use of IRV, which was recently adopted by Pierce County.
Jurisdictions Can Save Substantial Tax Dollars
Jurisdictions, like Denver, that currently use two-round elections
(such as a primary and general) can save a substantial amount of money
and increase voter participation by using a single round of voting
with ranked ballots.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
Representative Paul Weismann, Chair: 303-866-2920
rep...@aol.com
Representative Nancy Todd, Vice-Chair: 303-866-2919
nancy.to...@state.co.us
Representative Edward Casso: 303-866-2964
edward.ca...@state.co.us
Representative Mark Ferrandino: 303-866-2911
mferr...@yahoo.com
Representative Rafael Gallegos: 303-866-2916
rafael.gal...@state.co.us
Representative Jeanne Labuda: 303-866-2966
jeanne.la...@state.co.us
Representative Kent Lambert: 303-866-2937
rep.kent...@comcast.net
Representative Marsha Looper: 303-866-2946
marsha.lo...@state.co.us
Representative Kevin Lundberg: 303-866-2907
ke...@kevinlundberg.com
Representative Tom Massey: 303-866-2747
tom.mass...@state.co.us
Representative Karen Middleton: 303-866-3911
ka...@karenmiddleton.com
For more information contact: Rick VanWie, 303-478-1009 or
rickv...@comcast.net; Rep. John Kefalas at 303-866-4569 or
jkefal...@frii.com
Terrill Bouricius
advances for ranked voting reform around the country.
In Vermont, a bill requiring instant runoff voting for federal
congressional offices recently passed the legislature and is on its way to
the governor. The bill would implement IRV in the upcoming November
election, and the Secretary of State says she is ready and able to do
that. Along with Aspen and Basalt, CO, various other jurisdictions around
the country have recently adopted IRV, most recently, Santa Fe, NM and
Sarasota, FL. A citizens petition initiative has just been launched for
ranked choice voting with the help of the League of Women Voters in
Glendale, AZ.
You can find links to news stories and more at www.FairVote.org
Terry Bouricius