Latest News for IRV in LA
Long Beach Schools Hear IRV Presentation
Today Long Beach City Clerk Larry Herrera made a presentation on Instant Runoff Voting to the Long Beach Unified School Board. Mr. Herrera covered the basics of IRV: its cost savings, potential increase in voter turnout, along with cities where IRV is currently used. Afterwards, Gautam Dutta of New America Foundation provided an update on the progress IRV has made in Los Angeles.
Hollywood Seniors Welcome IRV
A vibrant group of Hollywood seniors welcomed Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) with open arms. Gautam Dutta, Amanda Fowler and Priya Kumar of New American Foundation led a wide-ranging discussion of how best to reform our political system.
Why Instant Runoff Voting for Los Angeles?
Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) elects officeholders with a majority of the vote in a single election. It does this by allowing voters to rank a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice. If your first choice can't win, your vote goes to your second (i.e. runoff) choice. The runoff rankings are used to elect majority winners in one election. No more separate May runoffs!
* Taxpayers save millions. IRV will save millions in taxpayer dollars currently spent on an unncessary second election. Last May, $5 million was spent on a runoff where only 6 percent of voters showed up -- a cost of $40 per voter. Each local election, we spend over $8 to $9 million to administer runoff elections for the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Unified School District, and Los Angeles Community College District.
* Boost voter turnout. 6 PERCENT. That was the turnout for May 2007's runoff election (LA Community College District). With IRV, voters can focus on one election -- without having to return to the polls a second time for a separate runoff. Organizations can maximize their resources by mobilizing their supporters one time.
* Better supports campaign finance reform. Candidates only have to raise money for one election, instead of two. The City's fund for public financing of campaigns only has to pay for one election, not two.
* Prevent spoilers and vote-splitting. With the current system, like-minded candidates can "split" the vote, and cancel each other out. IRV's ranked ballots allow voters to avoid this problem by ranking their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices.
* Reduced mudslinging. Candidates may need the second or third rankings from the supporters of other candidates to win, so they have incentive to build coalitions and find common ground, instead of tearing down opponents.
* Build for the future. IRV will make our democracy stronger -- and will ensure that the collective voice of our communities is heard.
The Path to IRV
To bring IRV to Los Angeles, voters need to approve an amendment to the City Charter. First, a majority of the LA City Council needs to approve a bill to put IRV on the ballot. After the Mayor signs the bill, it will go on the ballot.
Right now, the City Council is studying IRV and how it will benefit our city and community. If the Council and the Mayor sign off on an IRV bill by October, IRV will be on the ballot in March 2009.
Here are three ways you can help IRV:
1. Call or write your Councilmember, Council President Eric Garcetti, and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Tell our leaders to do their part to bring IRV to LA.
2. Spread the word. Tell your friends, family, and colleagues about IRV. When people understand how IRV works, they tend to support it. Other effective means are to get organizations you are a part of to support IRV, or write letters to the editor to local papers and newsletters.
3. Volunteer your time. We would love your help. Please feel free to contact us at 213.480.0994 or Gautam Dutta at dutta@newamerica.net.
