Instant Runoff Voting
Campaign for the Local Option

Alliance for Democracy - Portland Chapter
www.afd-pdx.org

Because Americans are not knowledgeable about Instant Runoff Voting, increasing the use of IRV at the local level has been the preferred method for gaining voter acceptance of IRV.

Around the nation, voters have been giving the green light to the use of Instant Runoff Voting in local elections and other more limited situations like for overseas military voting. In 13 of 14 instances where voters have been asked if they want to use IRV, they have said Yes. Starting in 2002 in San Francisco (55% Yes) to Takoma Park MD (84% yes vote), to Sarasota FL (78% yes), and on to Pierce County WA (Tacoma) (67% yes), voters keep saying they want to use IRV in their elections.

In each of these, cities and counties have said they want the local option of using Instant Runoff Voting.

The citizens of Oregon approved an initiative early in the 1900s which put preference voting (IRV by another name) in the state constitution. So, here in Oregon we have constitutional authority to use IRV.

However, the State of Oregon has argued that cities and counties cannot use IRV because enabling legislation has not been enacted. They point to specific provisions in Oregon law (ORS 254.065 ) which state that “the person receiving the highest number of votes shall be nominated or elected” in making this claim.

Therefore, our campaign for Instant Runoff Voting is focused on enacting enabling legislation. During the 2007 legislative sessions, HB2761 was introduced. The House Elections, Ethics and Rules Committee held hearings but it never reached the full House for a votet.

HB2761 would have allowed cities, counties and special service districts like METRO to use IRV if they so choose. Hence, we are promoting the local option.

Our efforts now are to contact as many state senators and representatives, as well as many city and country councilpersons and mayors, to educate them on the merits of Instant Runoff Voting and get ask their support during the next legislative session.

You can help.