[Durham INC] [owdna] Zoom Mtg Mon 10/12 6pm: Save local runoff election $$$? Have spoiler proofing on ballots? Join & learn re: a nonpartisan effort for NC

Tue Dec 8 18:52:10 EST 2020

Thanks, Deb!

I think I responded same-day. Listservs are acting up. 

I’ve since learned some countervailing arguments (complexity in almost any form of ranked voting as well as in the array of ranked voting “solutions”), so not sure where I am on this, but glad that discussions continue. 

Thanks for sharing that discussion, Philip

> On Dec 8, 2020, at 4:56 PM, Debra Hawkins <dhawkins913311 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> As Phil was interested to post on this earlier-autumn topic, I’ll add that I do understand both/all points of view – yet also will add the thought that this ballot approach would have saved all the difficulties, heat v. light, and every last dollar being spent on the Georgia run-off election right now. Think what else could be done with the 50+ million or so, particularly in these times.
>  
> Also, there will be another NC statewide Zoom call for people to join, learn more, ask questions, and consider supporting the new nonprofit (www.BetterBallotNC.org) working on advocacy for this nonpartisan balloting approach in North Carolina. Will post the date/time and link when available, circa late January/early February. 
> 
> Kind (& seasonal/safe) regards to all,
>  
> DH
>  
> From: Philip Azar [mailto:philip917azar at gmail.com] 
> Sent: Tuesday, December 8, 2020 4:47 PM
> To: Tom Miller <tom-miller1 at nc.rr.com>
> Cc: Debra Hawkins <dhawkins913311 at gmail.com>; npna at groups.io; Colonial Village Durham <colonial-village-durham at googlegroups.com>; stadium-heights at googlegroups.com; duke-homestead at yahoogroups.com; dukepark at groups.io; owdna at googlegroups.com; abcddurham at yahoogroups.com; inc listserv <inc-list at lists.deltaforce.net>; trinity heights neighborhood <THNA at yahoogroups.com>; trinityparkdurhamnc at groups.io; wmb at yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [Durham INC] [owdna] Zoom Mtg Mon 10/12 6pm: Save local runoff election $$$? Have spoiler proofing on ballots? Join & learn re: a nonpartisan effort for NC
>  
> 
> Please cross post -- I am not a member of all these listserves.
>  
> At a time when many are fighting to make voting easier, I am against requiring multiple trips to the ballot box.  This initiative makes it easier for people to vote their preferences without making multiple trips to the ballot box.  There is no "damage" to democracy and there is increased ease of use.
>  
> On Mon, Oct 12, 2020 at 10:24 AM Tom Miller <tom-miller1 at nc.rr.com> wrote:
> Whether this is good depends on how the primary or runoff system is conducted.  In a primary system like ours, ranked choice robs a voter’s ability to change their mind between the ballots.  If jones, smith, green, and williams are running and in the primary jones and smith get the most votes, but neither a majority and williams and green get negligible votes, Jones and smith advance to the general election.  If I voted for green in the primary, I still control my vote.  I get to decide whether to support Jones or smith in the general.  I still have my portion of political power.  In ranked choice, I must decide once what my ranking is.  I don’t get to reappraise my position after the primary.  I don’t get to change my mind.  In all elections there is a chance the winner will be someone I don’t like. RCV doesn’t protect against that.  It does stop me from being able to choose between the two high vote getters (people I might not like) which I suppose could be interpreted that by losing in RCV I am somehow spared the indignity of having to choose between two candidates who aren’t my top choices by taking away all my choice in a second ballot.  No thanks.
>  
> I do not see RCV as a democracy upgrade.
>  
> From: owdna at googlegroups.com [mailto:owdna at googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Debra Hawkins
> Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2020 6:47 PM
> To: npna at groups.io; 'Colonial Village Durham'; stadium-heights at googlegroups.com; duke-homestead at yahoogroups.com; DukePark at groups.io; owdna at googlegroups.com; ABCDdurham at yahoogroups.com; 'inc listserv'; 'trinity heights neighborhood'; trinityparkdurhamnc at groups.io; wmb at yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [owdna] Zoom Mtg Mon 10/12 6pm: Save local runoff election $$$? Have spoiler proofing on ballots? Join & learn re: a nonpartisan effort for NC
>  
> ** Please Cross Post **
> Sharing for any who may be interested, Zoom meeting about/for the Non-Partisan Better Ballot RCV initiative (adopted in Maine & NYC, initiatives in 12 other states underway) - tomorrow night 10/12, 6pm. This option offers many benefits (including saving runoff & recount taxpayer money for Durham county to allocate elsewhere)  – it’s a ballot style used by New Zealand, Australia, Canada and various global/Scandinavian/EU countries….link in tomorrow to hear more about how it works, and how it could be set up in North Carolina. More information, Zoom call sign-in details below.
>  
> Facebook page to invite/share: https://www.facebook.com/events/357614958696152
>  
> Better Ballot NC Ranked-Choice Voting Effort
> A new group, Better Ballot North Carolina, has formed in North Carolina to pursue the implementation of Ranked-Choice Voting in our state. Ranked-Choice Voting allows voters to rank their candidates in order of preference. The advantage is that it eliminates the argument that a voter’s true preference must be  sacrificed in favor of an undesirable but "lesser-evil" candidate.  With RCV, if the voter’s first choice does not win or is eliminated after the first round of vote tabulation, the voter’s second choice is counted to their alternate selection in the race.  
>  
> Better Ballot North Carolina is a nonpartisan group/endeavor. Registered in NC as a nonprofit, the group’s goal is to educate North Carolinians about the value of Ranked-Choice Voting in offering more candidates with diverse views and ideas. Visit the group at www.betterballotnc.org.
>  
> Meet great people. Empower voters. Make a difference in our country’s future. Join us as we build the strategy to win Ranked Choice Voting in North Carolina.
> 
> RCV is a democracy upgrade which allows voters to rank the candidates on the ballot in the order you prefer them, instead of choosing just one. Ranking your choices liberates you from being forced to vote for the "lesser of two evils." It allows you to vote for the candidate that best matches your views, while still allowing you to vote for one or more "backup" choices. This means your vote always stays intact, never gets wasted/spoiled, and you won't help to elect a candidate you strongly dislike.
> 
> A few years ago, Maine became the first state to reform their elections by adopting Ranked Choice Voting. Then, America's largest city, New York, passed RCV by a whopping 74% of the vote. Six states have even used RCV for this year's presidential primaries or caucuses.
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> Topic: Better Ballot NC Monthly Statewide Meeting
> Time: Oct 12, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
>  
> Join at
> https://zoom.us/j/95153818028
> Meeting ID: 951 5381 8028
> Passcode: 445047
>  
> Want to help? This meeting will also allow you to connect with established teams that are already building our foundation.
> We are organized and running, and all we are missing is you. Let's get RCV working in North Carolina!
> Please contact us with any questions - 
> info at betterballotnorthcarolina.org 
> http://www.BetterBallotNorthCarolina.org
>  
> -- 
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