The following Cities Passed RCV this week:
Ann Arbor, Michagan:
Ann Arbor Voters Passed to Switch to a Ranked-Choice-Voting (RCV) System for the City’s Mayoral and Council Elections. The Ann Arbor City Council, Voted 10-1 to put the RCV Question on the Nov. 2nd Ballot.
Ann Arbor previously used RCV for a Period of time, in the 1970s, during which the City Elected its First Black Mayor, Albert Wheeler. Now, Voters have the Opportunity to Revert to the System that has already proved to be Beneficial, for Diversifying Candidate Pools and Preventing Vote Splitting.
According to Council Member Julie Grand, a Sponsor of the RCV Proposal, the Goals behind switching back to an RCV System includes: Expanding Voter Participation, Increasing Candidate Diversity, and Reducing Negative Campaigning.
Ann Arbor Proposal B was Approved, 72.83% to 27.17%.
Broomfield, Colorado:
The RCV Voting Method would First be Implemented in the Nov. 7th, 2023 Municipal Election, and All Elections thereafter.
“Broomfield voters chose to replace a tired, broken election process with a system that empowers voters, encourages more issue-driven positive campaigns, and creates better government,” Political Director for RCV Colorado, Emma Donahue, said in a News Release Tuesday evening. “By choosing to implement Rank Choice Voting for all municipal elections in the city and county of Broomfield, voters are changing politics as usual.”
According to Unofficial Results, 52% of Voters Endorsed RCV, while 48% Voted Against it.
Westbrook, Maine:
Westbrook will be the Second City in the State with a Municipal Ranked-Choice-Voting (RCV) System in place.
The Voting System will be used in Contested Races with Three or More Candidates for: City Council, School Committee, and Mayoral Races, when No Candidate has won more than 50% of the Vote.
Westbrook joins Portland in using the System for Local Elections.
Voters will have the Option of Ranking the Candidates in the Order they Prefer. If No Candidate receives more than 50% of the Popular Vote, the Candidate with the Fewest Votes is Eliminated, and that Candidate’s Supporters’ Second Choices are then Counted. The Process continues until One Candidate receives more than 50%. A Candidate in Westbrook Wins when they hit 50% plus One.
About 63% of Voters were in Favor of Municipal RCV, which will be used in Mayoral, City Council, and School Committee Races. Voters Approved it 2,819 to 1,660.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
