Implications of RCV

[K.P. Pelleran]

Since Nate felt the message was getting jumbled on the back and forth regarding RCV and, in essence, accused me of saying voters were stupid, attached please find my research brief AND the resolution from the Clerk’s Association which voters may feel inclined to read for themselves. Incidentally, I’ve never believed voters to be stupid and have been a life-long advocate in the fight for voter rights. I believe that our franchise is the most important piece of our great democracy.

Let me end by saying that Rank MI Vote paid staffers have chosen to attack my views and those of the Clerks Association by besmirching our character and research. I see that others in the Party are now touting the campaign’s talking points. The Clerks all take the Oath of Office to uphold both the Michigan and the U.S. Constitution. As a former clerk I took that same oath and administered it to all employees and elected officials. The Clerks Association rarely takes any position on ballot questions. They are all about following the law to ensure integrity in the process and that each vote is counted accurately. By law, they employ a bi-partisan staff for election administration to ensure the integrity of the process. In the Presidential Election, they send the list of those inspectors to each Party chairperson in their county. It’s a transparent process with a written record chain of documents to be able to easily pinpoint any irregularities. It was that very process that was the reason that lawsuit after lawsuit was rejected by the courts when the Trump campaign tried to make the public believe that the 2020 election was rigged.

As a candidate for state office last year I was on the ballot in Manistee County; by law I am a member of the Manistee County Democratic Party’s County Committee. I’ve asked the Party to stay neutral and get back to the business of its mission—recruit, nominate, and elect Democrats to office.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Best regards,
K.P.

Kathy Pelleran-Mahoney
Cell: 517-887-0580
Sent from my iPhone

[Nate Markham]

Hey KP take your own advice and stay neutral on ballot proposals nobody agrees with you.

Nate Markham

natem...@gmail.com

810-853-2490

[Mark Ward]

That’s very uncalled for Nate, KP is  not wrong. The electorate is highly UNEDUCATED, when it comes to alternative ways of voting. I’ll be very surprised if it passes. As of right now my mind is not made up, I’ve seen very little unbiased information on it.  

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 13, 2025, at 12:35 PM, Nate Markham <natem...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Nate Markham]

God forbid I speak my mind.

Nate Markham

natem...@gmail.com

810-853-2490

[Judith Minton]

I agree with her.

Judith Kay Minton 

Downtown  Brethren 

I too have mixed feelings about Rank IMV vote.

I applaud Pellerin, whom  I do not know ,for sticking to her guns.

The voters, including me, need more and ,not,  less information.

 and certainly not just one point of view

On Nov 13, 2025, at 12:51, Mark Ward <wmic...@gmail.com> wrote:

That’s very uncalled for Nate, KP is  not wrong. The electorate is highly UNEDUCATED, when it comes to alternative ways of voting. I’ll be very surprised if it passes. As of right now my mind is not made up, I’ve seen very little unbiased information on it.  

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/manisteedems/A64FBCBF-2116-4F76-AD12-C1A3236DCCA3%40gmail.com.

[Margaret Batzer]

One of the beautiful things about the Democratic Party is that we have a big tent. We make space for people from a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints. We are able to disagree about policy and strategy and come together when it counts. Moving forward, I hope that we are able to return to a respectful dialogue. 

Ranked choice voting has both benefits and drawbacks. Information about this issue is essential for each of us to make an informed decision. 

Over the years, our local party has supported a number of important ballot measures. Party recommendations are important for helping voters to make informed decisions about candidates and issues that are less widely discussed. I hope that the Manistee Dems will host a public forum in the near future to discuss the benefits and concerns of ranked choice voting. 

Margaret Batzer

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On Nov 13, 2025, at 1:09 PM, 'Judith Minton' via Manistee Dems <manist...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



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[John Helge]

Thanks, Meg for the perfect setup!  Experts from RankMIVote.Org will be at the West Shore Community College building on River Street in downtown Manistee at 6pm on Wednesday November 19, 2025 to provide information and answer questions from Manistee County voters on the ranked choice voting ballot initiative. 

 

John M. Helge

johnm...@gmail.com

616-915-2403

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From: manist...@googlegroups.com <manist...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Margaret Batzer <margare...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2025 4:53 PM
To: manist...@googlegroups.com <manist...@googlegroups.com>
Cc: Mark Ward <wmic...@gmail.com>; Nate Markham <natem...@gmail.com>; Pelleran K.P. <kppel...@yahoo.com>; manist...@googlegroups.com <manist...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [ManisteeDems 9681] Re: Implications of RC

 

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[Tim Joseph]

I'll keep an open mind about rank choice voting and learn what I can.  I'm not all that impressed with KP's arguments.  Of course clerks will oppose this, out of plain conservatism.  By that I do not mean "right wing";  I mean "stick with what is familiar, and with what I already know how to do" conservatism.  And the assertion that people are content with our plurality system.  Really?  A big share of eligible voters are completely alienated from the idea and practice of voting.  My own feeling about our present system is that it does not serve us well. My "representatives" are chosen in the Republican primary, often based on who takes the most reactionary positions to please the most reactionary people who form the majority of Republican primary voters.  Then they go on to be elected in the general elections because they have an R by their name, despite the fact that they represent the views of an often small minority of people.  I don't know if RCV will be an improvement over this dysfunctional status quo. Maybe, maybe not.    Tim Joseph

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[Manistee Dems]

I have a good friend who has been involved in politics in Australia for many years.  In fact, at one point he was a candidate to be a member of Parliament.  Australia has used Rank Choice Voting for decades.  It seems to have a track record of success in that country. Their clerks to seem to be able to handle the process without problems. My first impression is positive.  I plan to attend the seminar and learn more on November 19 at 6pm at West Shore on River Street. 

Rick Schrock

[William Allen]

I want to further clarify my statements regarding rank choice voting. I was not speaking for nor against it in an earlier post. What I'm cautious though of is County parties endorsing things like ballot proposals, initiatives or particular candidates. In our discussion at a recent Wexford County Democratic Party business meeting, it was pointed out that by doing so it can put party members in a difficult position when having to defend something to somebody outside the group as it could very well be that our member does not support the endorsement or may have confusion on why the endorsement was given. So it seems to me that rather than endorse I feel at the local level we should educate and invigorate.

Bill Allen

Wexford County Democratic Party Chair 

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[Rebecca Amidon]

REPUBLICANS & RCV

In August 2025 the MI House of Representative passed House Bill 4707 which would prohibit ranked-choice voting in the state of Michigan. The bill was introduced by Rep. Rachelle Smit (R) and several other Republicans.

If the Republicans are so vehemently against it, that is a sign to Democrats that Republicans believe it to be a threat to them. For some Republicans, stopping RCV may align with preserving existing electoral power structures (since RCV could change how races play out, potentially empowering third-party or nontraditional candidates).

Both Democrats and Republicans fear a third-party emerging or non-traditional candidates. Party loyalists want the same old power structures that have infuriated younger generations and caused them lose all hope of any change or an opportunity for a new and more exciting candidate. 

DEMS LOSING YOUNG VOTERS

According to the American Bar Association, in more recent national surveys (among people “who have an opinion on RCV”), 75–78% of young people (ages 18–29) support ranked-choice voting.

According to the Independent Center, many Millennials and Gen Zers are increasingly identifying as independents, rather than strongly aligning with either major party.

WHY

Issue Disconnect: Some young voters feel that the Democratic Party isn’t focused enough on the issues they care about (economic inequality, student debt, climate, etc.).

Party Structure: The traditional two-party system feels less appealing; many younger voters prefer independent identity over strict party labels.

CONCLUSION

The fear of RCV boils down to traditional Dems being afraid of losing an ounce of power they may have in our currently crumbling system and would rather ride this broken horse into the ground rather than make changes while we still can. 

Younger generations are screaming for change and more control over who wins elections. If traditional Dems do not wake up to what is happening in front of them, all will be lost for the Democratic Party. Gen Z and Millennials are THE MOST educated generations in all of history, and would have zero issue with a RCV ballot. 

Taking a stance against RCV would drive more young people away. Look around at our county party meetings. THERE ARE NO YOUNG PEOPLE, because we disenfranchise them at every turn if we mean to or not. 

RCV should be supported in order to be put on the ballot to let the people decide.

Rebecca Amidon

Candidate for Michigan’s 32nd State Senate District

www.rebeccaamidon.com

765-702-9003

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<Why Ranked Choice Voting May Be Adverse to the Democratic Party.docx><CLERKS RESOLUTION ON RCV.pdf>

[ltr...@jackpine.com]

Right on…..

 

Lee Trucks

 

Jackpine.com
Jackpine Internet Service

 

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[pj meyers]

I totally agree w/Bill, KP and others that WE need to exercise prudence in this matter.  To enhance this stance, I would challenge us to take a survey of the general population of our counties regarding their knowledge of RCV.  The "fear factor" of the unknown with voters/supporters has been detrimental in the past and to endorse such a major proposal, I believe, would challenge the integrity of our leadership.

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