By Gautam Dutta

October 13, 2008--We have great news! Councilmembers Rosendahl, Huizar, and Reyes just introduced a motion that would make Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) a permanent reform for Los Angeles elections. The IRV motion may be accessed here.

We sincerely thank Councilmembers Rosendahl, Huizar, and Reyes for responding to the community’s input and crafting an excellent motion on IRV.

However, the campaign to bring IRV to Los Angeles has only begun. The IRV motion will be heard by the City Council’s Rules and Government Committee on October 22, 3 pm, in City Hall Room 1070. If the motion clears the Rules Committee, the full City Council will only have until October 29 to approve the motion so that it can qualify for the March 2009 ballot (as a City Charter amendment).

To get IRV on the March 2009 ballot, we need your immediate help for three things:

1. Get as many people as possible (including yourself) to attend the Rules Committee hearing on IRV (Oct 22, 3 pm, City Hall Rm. 1070). We need the Committee to see how strongly the community feels about IRV.

2. Contact Councilmembers Weiss and Zine. We have included a sample letter (below). The councilmembers can be reached at 213.473.7005 (Chief of Staff to CM Weiss: Denise.Sample@lacity.org) and at 213.473.7003 (Chief of Staff to CM Zine: Cliff.Ruff@lacity.org).

It is imperative that we let Rules Committee know how much we want IRV on the ballot in March. If the motion doesn’t get past the Rules Committee, the full Council will not even be able to vote on it.

3. Contact your own Councilmember and Mayor Villaraigosa. Once IRV clears the Rules Committee, it will go to a vote by the full City Council. We are under a tight deadline and need as many letters and phone calls as possible! Contact information for all City Councilmembers can be found at http://www.lacity.org/council.htm. Mayor Villaraigosa may be reached at 213.978.0600 (Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Villaraigosa: Jimmy.Blackman@lacity.org). Please feel free to contact us at 213.480.0994 if we may be of any assistance. Thanks again for your support.

Sample Letter

Dear Councilmember,

Recently, Councilmembers Rosendahl, Huizar, and Reyes introduced a critical motion to adopt Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) for Los Angeles municipal elections. Once IRV is fully implemented, it will save Los Angeles taxpayers $8 to $9 million per election cycle.

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

IRV will bring valuable reform to our political system. Please approve this motion so that voters can decide if IRV is right for Los Angeles.

Sincerely,

_________

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

Last revised October 13, 2008