Ranked Choice Voting Changing the Way we Vote
March 8, 2021 WA State Legislative Update
HB 1156 leads to a new way of voting in which the candidate with the most votes could end up losing based on the algorithms of the tabulation machines. The bill claims to be about increasing representation and voter participation but this system has not lived up to its claims according to studies done in Maine.
The progressive funded "FairVote" is backing this bill. FairVote is a nonprofit that believes in direct democracy and promoted the same-day voter registration. Their future plans include universal voter registration and getting rid of the Electoral College. This year their goal is to change the way we vote in local elections. FairVote's funders include Open Society Foundation, Omidyar Network Fund, Tides Foundation, Soros Fund Charitable Foundation, and Rockefeller Brothers Fund - to name a few.
Pierce County is the only county in our state that practiced Ranked Choice Voting. After 2 years the voters had enough and voted this system out. In 2009 it was removed by a vote of 70.65%. Some reasons for getting rid of RCV are listed below.
1. It was too confusing - 63% of voters surveyed complained.
2. The election costs doubled.
3. Election staff had to work 24 hour shifts to process ballots.
5. The voters had to fill out two ballots - regular voting ballot and the RCV ballot. This increased postage.
6. The algorithm process was not consistent. Some races dropped one name and other races dropped two names.
RCV has NEVER been done in a state where ballots trickle in over a period of up to 21 days. In order to have an accurate result all ballots should be received before counting starts. You cannot expect any results on election night or any other date except "Certification Day" when the total number of voters is known.
How does RCV work?
Under the Ranked Choice Voting System, the candidates are listed three times. You must choose your three favorite choices and rank which one is your choice for the first run, second and third run of the ballots. The computer will determine the candidates with the lowest votes and drop them off on the next round. According to the explanation in the bill report for the 2019 HB 1722, "In this method, after voters' first-choice votes are tabulated, the candidate with the lowest number of votes is eliminated, and votes for that candidate are transferred to the next-ranked candidate on those ballots. Votes are re-tallied, and this process continues until one candidate reaches the threshold necessary to be declared the winner." Many of us are not comfortable with the current system and have concerns over the reliability of the programming. Ranked Choice Voting is completely dependent on the machines and is more complex to audit.
Many counties have eliminated the tabulation equipment in favor of the Hart or Clear Ballot system of imaging ballots. They will have to purchase new equipment that can handle the complex algorithms.
Tell your legislator to VOTE NO on HB 1156 !
Tell your friends to call their legislator!
Follow the steps below to register your official opinion!
THE HEARING IS TODAY FEBRUARY 8th at 1:30 PM
House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee
Before the hearing - by 12:30 sign up to testify.
By 12:30 - Voice your opinion under the Register to Testify portal.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/csiremote
Click on House - Select State Govt committee - date Feb 8th
Choose HB 1156 and Click on "I would like my position noted for the legislative record."
After February 8th - CALL THE HOTLINE, WRITE YOUR COMMENTS & CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS !! 1-800-562-6000
LINKS TO CONTACT LEGISLATORS:
Find your legislator House phone / email Senate phone / email
There will be a discussion on the bills that will be heard this week. Bring your questions on procedure and your thoughts on the bill.
The focus will be to go over "talking points" and how to divide up the testimony. Tuesday March 9th at 7:30 pm Register at: MyFamlyMyChoice.org
MORE INFORMATION HERE ON HOW TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD IN OLYMPIA
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