Sunday, June 15, 2008

(Fort Collins) Hailing the passage of a new state law encouraging local governments to use Instant Runoff Voting, Colorado Green Party members have called on cities and counties around the state to implement ranked voting methods in upcoming elections.

On May 27, Governor Ritter signed into law HB08-1378, sponsored by Senator Ken Gordon (D-Arapahoe) and Representative John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins). Known as the “Voter Choice Act,” the new law permits cities and counties to use voting methods in which electors rank candidates for office in order of preference. The law requires the Secretary of State to create rules for conducting such local elections and to submit a report to the legislature that assesses the experience of local governments.

“If politics is the art of the next step, than Rep. John Kefalas’ election reform measure is a Picasso,” said Art Goodtimes, San Miguel County Commissioner and Green Party member. “Instant Runoff Voting will save taxpayer money, guarantee majority wins, and allow citizens to vote for multiple candidates of their choosing – in effect, prioritizing who they think will do the best job out of a wide field. That means more candidates, more choice, and more democracy. It’s darn exciting.”

“It is long past time to extend this form of voting to all elections held in Colorado,” according to Bob Kinsey, Green Party candidate for Colorado’s US Senate seat. “Money, name recognition and image will become less significant. Voters will feel more empowered and become more active.”

Dr. Ron Forthofer, former Green Party candidate for Governor and a member of the 2007 Voter Choice Task Force whose work led to HB08-1378, points out that Senators John McCain and Barack Obama have both supported Instant Runoff Voting, and says the momentum for voting reform is growing.

Ranked voting methods have been used in dozens of American cities over the years. In Colorado, Basalt and Aspen have already adopted ranked voting, while cities like Grand Junction and Boulder have used these methods in the past. Minneapolis (MN), Oakland (CA) and Burlington (VT) are among cities that recently switched to ranked voting like instant runoff voting. Ranked voting is also used for major elections in Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Support for Instant Runoff Voting has long been a plank in the Green Party’s platform.

The nonpartisan 2007 Voter Choice Task Force, chaired by Rep. Kefalas and co-chaired by Rep. Jim Kerr (R-Jefferson County), included representatives of the Colorado Democratic, Republican, Libertarian and Green parties, independent voters, county clerks and the Secretary of State’s office.

Contact:
Art Goodtimes, San Miguel County Commissioner
commish3@sanmiguelcounty.org, 650-968-2095

Bob Kinsey, Candidate, U.S. Senate, www.kinseyforsenate.org, 303-949-4073

Ron Forthofer, member, 2007 Voter Choice Task Force, rforthofer@comcast.net, 303-786-8921

Eric Fried, Secretary, Green Party of Colorado, eric@pvgreens.org, 970-214-4548

More at: www.MetroDenverGreens.org