[LWVNM Action] Ranked choice voting in Georgia's November 2020 election RE: Convention item

[George Richmond]

My interest in Ranked Choice Voting is for the election in Albuquerque 
and other NM local elections.  As we know, in local elections, 
candidates run as Candidates, and NOT as a representative of a party.

In the past elections for Mayor in the cities of Santa Fe and Las 
Cruces, five or more candidates ran and by using Ranked Choice Voting, 
New Mexico voters saved their time in NOT having a run off election and 
the cities saved TAX PAYER money by not paying for something that was 
not necessary.

If you want to compare the Georgia Senate Race, where voters do elect 
candidates by party, as far as I am concerned you are just not thinking 
about Albuquerque.  Your point may be valid for Georgia...but in the 
case of elections in Albuquerque, or even Rio Rancho. NO. There is NO 
mention of Top Five in this issue.  And keep in mind, that the State of 
Maine has adopted Ranked Choice Voting.

I look forward to discussing this more with you, Ed, at the next in 
person League of Women Voters meeting.

George Richmond


On 4/11/2021 2:12 PM, Ed Santiago wrote:
> I'm a little disconcerted by the use of cherry-picked results to
> justify a position against (or for) RCV.
>
> Yes, all things being equal, the Georgia senate race may have gone
> differently. But all things are not equal: it is possible that primary
> voters may have chosen differently had they known the election would
> be Ranked Choice. (And, had the primary been Top Five or Top N, the
> candidates themselves would've been different). It is also possible
> that Georgia would've gone one way, but other states differently.
>
> Finally, I feel deeply uncomfortable about justifying electoral
> procedures with "it's good for our guys/gals". We are above that.
>
> There is compelling evidence that Top Five primaries, with Ranked
> Choice Voting, leads to better outcomes more representative of
> the will of the people. I do hope the League will do responsible
> analysis of the big picture.
>
> E

-- 
George M. Richmond
152 Juniper Hill Road, NE
Albuquerque, NM 87122-1913

C: 505-280-2105
E: geomrich1 at comcast.net


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