Monday, August 09, 2004
S.F. Takes the Lead in New Voting Method
I've been a proponent of this for a long time, posting about it on many a message board and talking to many a friend about it. I endorse run-off voting because I am a proponent of trying to open our electoral system to other parties besides just republican and democrat. Run-off means that you can vote your preferred candidate from any party as #1 and not have your vote wasted if that candidate does not score highly since your #2 and posssibly #3 vote will come into play. Anyway, without further ado, here is the article:
- Chanur
Los Angeles Times
August 9, 2004
S.F. Takes the Lead in New Voting Method
By Lee Romney, Times Staff Writer
S.F. Takes the Lead in New Voting Method
- In November, voters will select their first, second and third choices for candidates in city races.
SAN FRANCISCO — The city that brought the nation beat poetry, free love and sourdough bread now is taking on election reform. With a quiet nod from the secretary of state, San Francisco will soon let voters rank multiple candidates in citywide elections, a system that proponents say would eliminate the "spoiler" problem if used nationwide.
In November, San Francisco will become the first U.S. city to adopt the voting method since a short-lived experiment three decades ago in Michigan.
Under the system, voters will rank their top three candidates in order of preference. If no one wins 50% of the votes when first choices are tallied, the candidate with the least number of votes is eliminated. The second choice of those voters is then added to the remaining candidates' tallies. The process — which some call an instant runoff — continues until a majority winner emerges.
The voting method has been touted recently by former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, among others.
All articles in this archive are used under "fair use" as they are important to the national discussion of whether or not the people of this country are being deceived by their government. These articles are used as evidence in that discussion.
