Many local, regional, state, national and international organizations support preference voting, either as instant runoff voting (IRV) for single-winner elections or choice voting (also known as single-transferable voting or STV), or proportional representation (of which choice voting is the preferred method for candidate-based, non-partisan elections). Some organizations and local affiliates of larger organizations have also taken specific positions in support of IRV implementation in Oakland.
We list some of those resolutions below, in alphabetical order by name of organization.
The following resolution was approved by the membership of the Alameda County Peace and Freedom Party at its April 17, 2005, meeting:
Whereas, the Peace and Freedom Party platform calls for "proportional representation to promote legislative representation of the wide variety of political viewpoints"; and
Whereas, "choice voting" (also known as "single transferable vote" or STV) is the only form of proportional representation applicable to formally non-partisan elections such as are required for city councils in California; and
Whereas, "instant runoff voting" or IRV is the election method that allows voters to sincerely vote their genuine preferences for single-winner offices (such as mayor of a city or governor of the state), and reduces political pressure on real left candidates to refrain from running or campaigning in order not to "split the progressive vote"; and
Whereas, both instant runoff voting and single transferable vote elections involve voters ranking candidates rather than just selecting one or more, so that overcoming the technical and bureaucratic obstacles to the implementation of IRV also overcomes almost all similar obstacles to the implementation of STV; and
Whereas, in Alameda County the city charters of Berkeley, Oakland and San Leandro all authorize the use of IRV for some or all elections, but none of those cities has yet used IRV in any elections, in part because the Alameda County Registrar of Voters has said that his office is unable to conduct such elections for them,
Therefore, be it resolved that the Alameda County Peace and Freedom Party and Movement calls on the County of Alameda and its Registrar of Voters to promptly implement IRV so that Berkeley and San Leandro can use IRV for their November 2006 municipal elections and so that Oakland can use IRV in special elections run by the county after November 2006.
Be it further resolved that the Alameda County Peace and Freedom Party and Movement calls on the cities of Berkeley, Oakland and San Leandro to use IRV in all elections for which it is authorized by their respective charters.
Be it further resolved that, if the County of Alameda is not yet ready to conduct IRV elections by the next non-consolidated special municipal election in Oakland, the Alameda County Peace and Freedom Party and Movement calls on the city of Oakland to run that election itself so as to be able to use IRV.
The following resolution was approved by the Board of California Common Cause at its May 6, 2005, meeting:
WHEREAS Instant Runoff Voting produces winners backed by a majority of voters with one election;
WHEREAS IRV saves money because separate runoff elections are eliminated;
WHEREAS IRV encourages positive, issue-based campaigns, because candidates know that they may need to obtain second or third choice votes from supporters of other candidates;
WHEREAS voters of Oakland, as well as of its neighboring cities Berkeley and San Leandro, have authorized and recommended use of IRV as a means of improving the conduct of elections;
THEREFORE be it resolved that California Common Cause, in line with its national policy of working to improve the electoral process, urges the City of Oakland to take all needed steps to see that Instant Runoff Voting is implemented for elections at the earliest possible date at which it is feasible.
Rebecca Avila, Chair, California Common Cause
Kathay Feng, Executive Director, California Common Cause
May 6, 2005
The resolution below has been approved by the membership of the MGO Democratic Club at its June 16, 2005, meeting:
WHEREAS Instant Runoff Voting, also known as Ranked Choice Voting, produces winners backed by a majority of voters with one election; and
WHEREAS IRV saves money because separate runoff elections are eliminated; and
WHEREAS IRV encourages positive, issue-based campaigns, because candidates know that they may need to obtain second or third choice votes from supporters of other candidates; and
WHEREAS the voters of Oakland, as well as of its neighboring cities Berkeley and San Leandro, have authorized and recommended the use of IRV as a means of improving the conduct of elections;
THEREFORE be it resolved that the MGO Democratic Club urge the City of Oakland to take all needed steps to ensure that Instant Runoff Voting be implemented for Oakland elections at the earliest possible date.
The resolution below was approved by the Oakland Greens on May 30, 2005:
Whereas, the Green Party of California platform supports instant runoff voting (IRV) as "an important reform for single-seat races" that "allows voters to vote their conscience without 'wasting' their vote on a candidate not likely to win, or being forced into choosing between the 'lesser of two evils'"; and
Whereas, in Alameda County, the city charters of Berkeley, Oakland and San Leandro all authorize the use of IRV for some or all elections, but none of those cities has yet used IRV in any elections, in part because the Alameda County Registrar of Voters has said that his office is unable to conduct such elections for them; and
Whereas the city of San Francisco has already successfully implemented IRV elections in its Supervisorial races of 2004, realizing the benefits of electing all candidates with a majority of voters approving them, saving time and money by avoiding poorly-attended runoff elections, and bringing cooperation and civility to a previously contentious and negative campaign process;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Oakland Greens call on the County of Alameda and its Registrar of Voters to promptly implement IRV so that Berkeley and San Leandro can use IRV for their November 2006 municipal elections, and so that Oakland can use IRV in special elections run by the county after November 2006.
Be it further resolved that the Oakland Greens call on the city of Oakland to use IRV in all elections for which it is authorized by the charter.
Be it further resolved that, if the County of Alameda is not yet ready to conduct IRV elections by the next non-consolidated special municipal election in Oakland, the Oakland Greens call on the city of Oakland to run that election itself so as to be able to use IRV.
Be it further resolved that, if the Diebold Company, Alameda's current voting machine supplier, is unable to provide suitable IRV hardware and software within reasonable price and time constraints, the Oakland Greens call on Alameda County to find another supplier, such as Olivetti Tecnost, whose SAES3000 machines, used in Venezuela, create a detailed receipt for the voter as well as a paper trail for the Registrar, to provide equipment for the above-requested IRV elections.
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This page was last updated on June 20, 2005.