David, thanks for the clarification on resolutions at ward conventions. This was my understanding, but I was hearing conflicting messages as well.
Circulation of the Minneapolis Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) resolution was started at the caucuses, but it reached only a few precincts. There will be an effort to get it introduced at the ward conventions. The Ward 1 convention is the first coming up next Saturday, with wards 4 and 13 following on April 2nd. Below is the resolution for anyone interested in introducing it. My suggestion with the resolution is that if the convention delegates are unsure of their support for the resolution and feel the need for more time to study the possibility of IRV, then amend the resolution asking the party to study and consider it. The IRV resolution is city specific and a municipal election year is a good one to seek party support for this initiative. Please contact me if you want additional information. I would appreciate anyone who plans to introduce the resolution to let me know. Thanks, Jeanne Massey Kingfield _________________ RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE USE OF INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING (IRV) FOR THE ELECTION OF MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL IN MINNEAPOLIS WHEREAS: Average voter turnout for municipal primary elections was just 18% in 1997 and 27% in 2001; and average turnout for the general election in those years was less than half at 47% and 41%, respectively; WHEREAS: Primary elections are an additional cost to the City; WHEREAS: Instant Runoff Voting combines the primary and general election in nonpartisan races, allowing voters to elect a majority winner in just one election, avoiding the added cost and low voter turnout, typical of municipal primary elections; WHEREAS: Instant Runoff Voting is a constitutional alternative voting method that assures a majority winner in single-seat districts and offices; ends the "spoiler candidate" problem, increases voter convenience and decreases negative campaigning; WHEREAS: Instant Runoff Voting expands the democratic process by allowing a voter to vote for his or her true preferred candidate, encouraging a wider diversity of political opinion on the ballot and demonstrating the level of support for minority platforms; WHEREAS: Instant Runoff Voting elects a winner approved by a majority of the voters in one election. The voting method is simple and straight forward: Voters rank their choice of candidates by preference as 1, 2, 3. If a candidate receives a majority of first choices, that candidate wins. If not, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and the second round of counting occurs. The votes cast for the eliminated candidate are then transferred to the second choice listed on each ballot. Rounds of counting occur until there is a winner with a majority of the votes; WHEREAS: Instant Runoff Voting was successfully implemented in San Francisco for the election of its Board of Supervisors in 2004 and has been approved or is being considered for municipal and statewide elections across the country; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Our party support efforts to seek a charter amendment for the use of Instant Runoff Voting for the election of mayor and city council in Minneapolis. REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
