By Gautam Dutta

September 29, 2008--We have good news and bad news. First, the good news: Councilmember José Huizar just introduced a motion to put Instant Runoff Voting on the March 2009 Los Angeles ballot. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bill Rosendahl. We welcome this long awaited development.

Building on this momentum, the Sunday Los Angeles Times just published this letter to the editor about IRV, from California Common Cause Executive Director Kathay Feng.

Now the bad news: the motion does not go far enough. Instead of requiring IRV, the motion only gives City Councilmembers the OPTION of using IRV—whenever they please. The last thing City Hall should be given is an "on/off" switch over political reform.

What’s more, the motion calls for an IRV "pilot" program, letting the city "try out" IRV in a special election before actually committing to it fully. While this may seem understandable, the reality is that a pilot program will not work. Typically, special elections are called only 60 days before the election. With such a tight time fuse, there would not be enough time to bring in IRV-ready voting equipment, much less to conduct voter education and outreach.

In March, Los Angeles voters must be given a clear choice: fully adopt IRV, or keep a status quo that fatigues voters and wastes millions of tax dollars.

The Huizar-Rosendahl motion must be amended, so that it would REQUIRE that IRV be used for all LA City, LA Unified School District, and LA Community College District elections.

IRV must not be left to the whim of City Hall. Please ask Councilmembers Huizar and Rosendahl to improve their motion – and require IRV for all Los Angeles elections.

We have provided a sample letter below. Councilmember Huizar can be reached at 213.473.7014 (Chief of Staff: Peter.Hidalgo@lacity.org). Councilmember Rosendahl can be reached at 213.473.7011 (Chief of Staff: Mike.Bonin@lacity.org).

Sample Letter

Dear Councilmember,

Thank you for introducing a motion on Instant Runoff Voting (IRV).

I am writing to express my strong support for fully adopting IRV for all elections involving the City of Los Angeles, the LA Community College District, and the LA Unified School District.

IRV is a necessity, not an “option.” Please amend your motion to make IRV a permanent reform.

Sincerely,

_________

Gautam Dutta is Deputy Director of the Political Reform Program at the New America Foundation

Last updated September 29, 2008