Hi AfDers and friends,
Three items of interest:
1.  Third party presidential candidate debate slated for Sunday, Oct 19. See pdf file attached.
2.  Third party candidate Ralph Nader (Independent) will be in Portland on Monday.  Bagdad Theater at about 36th and SE Hawthorne starting at 7:30.  Donations accepted.
3.  FairVote has a rally planned in Vancouver to support Instant Runoff Voting.  See details below.

David e. Delk, Alliance for Democracy - Portland Chapter 503 232 5495 www.afd-pdx.org

Saturday, Oct 25th, 7 -9 PM, Academy Ballroon, 400 E. Evergreen St, Vancouver
 
FairVote Rally for IRV
 
Remember the primary debacle this past spring? Remember all the times that qualified, worthy candidates were shut out of an election because they stood outside the boundaries of the two major political parties? Remember your frustration after Florida in 2000 or Ohio in 2004?
 
Our current system of elections is on the brink of turmoil. Voters are forced to choose between the ʽlesser of two evils,ʼ instead of being able to rank their actual choices. 
 
Instant Runoff Voting is the best chance to move past the problems weʼve seen and take back our democracy. The best chance to institute IRV is at the grassroots, with us.
 
Thatʼs why Iʼm inviting you to join us at the FairVote Rally on October 25th, from 7:00-9:00 pm at the Academy Ballroom, 400 E. Evergreen St., Vancouver. There will be plenty of live music, from solo artists Alison Zopel and Justin Klump, and bluegrass band Fadinʼ by 9. There will also be featured speakers who will talk about the benefits of IRV, and the kind of legislative push that will be needed to make it happen. 
 
Most importantly, there will be IRV mock elections, where participants will be able to try it out. Voters will be able to rank candidates from the presidential primary. They will also be able to rank the issues most important to them, from debt and taxes to health care and housing. The results of the elections will be announced at the end of the show. All proceeds will be donated to a local charity. 
 
Our vote is often the only chance most citizens have to influence politics. IRV will give those citizens the power to support candidates or issues that would not otherwise have a voice under the current electoral system.
 
Check out the website for the rally, where there is more information on the artists and IRV. Tickets will be available online for $10 in advance and $12 at the door. 
 
(This note was forwarded by me by David Carrier, candidate for Wash State Senate in the 17th District.).