Ranked Choice Voting: Updates

[in...@betterballotkc.org]

Friends --

Our April 2 election leafletting of the polls went especially well since there was such a high turnout. Welcome to all the new people who just signed up for this updates list!

Update on The Year of Building Yes

Because the next two elections in 2024 are large ones where any issue can be drowned out, we're aiming for April of 2025 to be the election in which we encourage people to vote yes on having ranked choice voting. It requires an election vote because it's a city charter amendment. Passing is likely, since the last 27 cities to vote on it have passed it. Once that happens, this still gives election officials two years, ample time to prepare to use ranking in the mayor and city council races. 

We're on track for networking, leafleting, and tabling. We especially like leafleting people coming out of election polls, since we know we're concentrating on KCMO voters, the very people that will be voting yes once RCV is on the ballot. Our next times are August 6 and November 5 - if you can help out a little or a lot, please mark your calendars. 

Meanwhile, we need:

* to speak to groups. Do you know of any groups that we can be invited to, to give either a short or a longer presentation, where people can ask questions? Whether in person or by Zoom, this gives a chance to go into greater depth. 

* to table or leaflet at events. Please let us know of good events. If you can help table or leaflet, that's even better. Also, if you're with another organization already tabling an event and would be willing to put up a pile of our cards there, that would be great. 

* to get endorsements from neighborhood organizations and civic organizations

* to have individuals get just a few cards to pass out to their friends. The personal touch is more effective than mailers, and early communication is better than later for getting those yes votes. 

Update on the Missouri legislature:

* HJR 104, which includes a provision to ban ranked choice voting to be put before state-wide voters, is progressing but not on the House calendar yet. 

* SJR 78 is the same. It's been voted out of committee but not yet scheduled for a floor vote. 

We're still hopeful that they don't get to this by the end of the session in mid-May. They have plenty of higher priorities. We certainly want to spend our time on elections to vote yes on RCV, not on confusing elections to vote no on banning it. 

-- Rachel MacNair

Voice and text; 816-753-2057