Program Links
IRV in Los Angeles
Labor Legend Dolores Huerta Endorses IRV
Legendary union leader Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers Union with Cesar Chavez, has endorsed IRV. In a few short months, IRV has been gaining strong support from all corners of Los Angeles. Earlier, former Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce President Charlie Woo and the Los Angeles College Faculty Guild (American Federation of Teachers 1521) announced their support for IRV.
Among candidates and elected officials, supporters include: Former Los Angeles Mayor of Los Angeles Richard J. Riordan, City Council President Eric Garcetti, Councilmember Jose Huizar, Councilmember Wendy Greuel, Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, Councilmember Ed Reyes, former Councilmember Richard Alatorre, State Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas, State Sen. Jack Scott, Assemblymember Warren Furutani, Los Angeles Community College Board President Sylvia Scott-Hayes, Los Angeles Community College Trustee Georgia Mercer, Los Angeles Community College Trustee Mona Field, Los Angeles Community College Trustee Nancy Pearlman, and LA City Attorney candidate Carmen Trutanich.
Click here, for a full list of endorsements by elected officials, organizations and individuals.
For additional IRV updates, please see below.
Articles
| Article | Date |
|---|---|
| How Ed Jew Got Elected | June 24, 2007 |
| No Way to Run an Election | May 17, 2007 |
| France's Election Flaw | April 25, 2007 |
| Catching on to Instant Runoff Voting | January 14, 2007 |
Policy Papers
| Title | Date |
|---|---|
| Voter Education and Outreach in San Francisco to Implement IRV | June 2007 |
| Instant Runoff Voting for the City of Los Angeles | April 2007 |
| Instant Runoff Voting | February 2007 |
| Instant Runoff Voting: Making Your Vote Count | July 2006 |
Events
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CA Event: Instant Runoff Voting and Minorities in L.A. | April 19, 2008 |
| California Event: Alternative Voting Systems | April 26, 2007 |
| Ten Big Ideas for a New America | January 31, 2007 |
Press
| Headline | Date |
|---|---|
| L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce Endorses Key Election Reform | May 13, 2008 |
| Los Angeles Times Quotes Lynne Serpe on Instant Runoff Voting | June 11, 2007 |
| New Study Highlights Problems with Runoff Elections in Los Angeles | April 11, 2007 |
| Voice of America Reports on New America's Ten Big Ideas Event | February 3, 2007 |
| NY Times Profiles New America's Ten Big Ideas Event with Sen. Clinton | January 31, 2007 |
| New America Foundation in the Sacramento Bee on Growing Political Middle | December 3, 2006 |
| Steven Hill on Instant Runoff Voting in Minneapolis Star Tribune | November 15, 2006 |
| Election Proves New Voting Method to Improve Democracy Is Catching On | November 11, 2006 |
| David Lesher Discusses Redistricting in San Jose Mercury News | November 10, 2006 |
Study: Communities of Color Benefit from IRV
On May 5th, New America Foundation released a study on Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) and Its Impact on Communities of Color. The study analyzes IRV elections from other American cities, based on previous reports from FairVote, San Francisco State University, Asian Law Caucus and others.
The study shows that racial and ethnic minorities overwhelmingly understand IRV and use ranked ballots effectively. In San Francisco, voter turnout in socio-economically diverse neighborhoods has increased dramatically. The study also analyzes the effectiveness of past IRV educational campaigns and provides pointers for the City of Los Angeles to conduct its own voter outreach.
"Our study shows that communities of color take full advantage of
IRV. They not only use ranked ballots effectively, but also turn out in
record numbers -- giving them a greater voice in the political
process," said Monika Kulma of the New America Foundation "The study
shows that IRV will benefit all residents of Los Angeles," she added.
IRV Gaining Momentum in Los Angeles
On June 13, 2007, the Los Angeles City Council Rules & Elections committee held a hearing on instant runoff voting and other reforms with the potential for increasing voter turnout. IRV enjoyed strong support from several members of the City Council as well as numerous voting rights, good government and community groups. IRV has gained media attention from the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News and Daily Breeze.
New America Releases Report on Two-Round Runoff Elections in Los Angeles
A report by the New America Foundation analyzes the impact of runoff elections on the city of Los Angeles in terms of the cost to taxpayers, voter turnout, campaign finance expenditures, and environmental impacts. The report shows that two-round runoff elections in Los Angeles are expensive, wasteful and contribute to low voter turnout. Read the full report or download a the 2-page version.
San Diego Elections Task Force
The San Diego Elections Task Force, a volunteer committee created by the City of San Diego in order to research various elections reforms, began discussing IRV on Friday, September 29, 2006. Lynne Serpe, Deputy Director of the Political Reform Program, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the possibility of using IRV in San Diego elections. Read the final report from the Task Force, presented to the City of San Diego Rules Committee on June 27, 2007
Four for Four: IRV Prevails in All Four 2006 Ballot Measures
In November 2006, voters in Oakland (CA) overwhelmingly passed IRV with 69% of the vote, and Minneapolis (MN) voters passed their ballot measure with 65%. In Pierce County (WA) voters supported the move to IRV for their partisan county elections with 54% of the vote. And an advisory measure in Davis (CA) passed with 55% support. New America played key roles in these victories.
Political Reform Director Gives Keynote on IRV Equipment
On October 19, 2006, Steven Hill, Director of New America's political reform program, gave the keynote presentation at a forum hosted by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters about the roadmap to implementing instant runoff voting in Alameda County. Representatives from various charter cities were present, as were representatives from the county's chosen vendor, Sequoia Voting Systems, to hear about modifications that must be made to voting equipment, software and procedures.
Latino Congreso Supports IRV, Other Reforms
On September 6, 2006, the National Latino Congreso passed Resolution 1.3 in support of instant runoff voting (IRV), proportional representation and public financing, bringing a strong Latino voice to the movement to improve the way Americans vote and how they are represented. Lynne Serpe, Deputy Director of New America's Political Reform Program, spoke on a morning panel about voter mobilization and empowerment thru instant runoff voting.
Instant Runoff Voting Passes NC Senate
H1024 has been signed into law. This marks the first statewide use of IRV, for judicial office vacancies. Additionally, 10 cities and 10 counties will be chosen to try IRV starting in 2007. Voter turnout in North Carolina was less than 3% in the runoff last year for the Democratic nomination for Superintendent of Public Instruction. That election cost counties $3.5 million dollars.
For more on these developments, please see this recent AP article.
