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What Is RCV Anyway?

ALTERNATIVE VOTING METHODS TASK FORCE

Purpose: to promote the collective actions necessary to advance equity and justice in Colorado’s systems and policies in the area of alternative voting methods as aligned with League positions.

The Alternative Voting Methods Task Force exists to inform and engage members across the state and to promote collective actions around alternative voting methods as aligned with stated League positions. By increasing the understanding and importance of alternative voting methods through education, the Alternative Voting Methods Task Force may influence public policy and legislation at all levels through advocacy in partnership with LWVCO’s Legislative Action Committee, while speaking with one League voice. 

The Alternative Voting Methods Task Force coordinates with local Leagues and other organizations advocating for policies in alternative voting methods. The Task Force organizes webinars, workshops and presentations on major topics of interest in alternative voting methods and promotes justice and equity in the issue area. The Alternative Voting Methods Task Force is closely aligned with the efforts of the LWVCO Legislative Action Committee and the LWVUS to ensure cohesion.

LWVUS POSITION

Whether for single or multiple winner contests, the League supports electoral methods that:

• Encourage voter participation and voter engagement

• Encourage those with minority opinions to participate, including under-represented

communities

• Are verifiable and auditable

• Promote access to voting

• Maximize effective votes/minimize wasted votes

• Promote sincere voting over strategic voting

Implement alternatives to plurality voting

• Are compatible with acceptable ballot-casting methods, including vote-by-mail

The LWVUS believes in representative government. The LWVUS supports enabling legislation to allow local jurisdictions to explore alternative electoral methods, as well as supporting state election laws allowing for more options at both the state and local levels. With the adoption of any electoral system, the League believes that education of the voting public is important and funding for startup and voter education should be available. We encourage a concerted voter education process. Impact on Issues 2020-2022 pp 47- 48

LWVCO POSITION

Adopted by LWVCO in 2017 by Concurrence with LWV Boulder County position

Support authorizing and implementing alternatives to plurality voting that allow people to express their preferences more effectively. The League supports gaining on-the-ground experience with alternative voting methods to ascertain whether a voting method results in outcomes that match voters’ preferences as recorded on their ballots. The League supports voting methods that improve the election experience, that encourage honest rather than tactical voting*, and that considers ease of implementation.

Considerations:

Some voting methods are intended for single-winner elections, others for multi-winner elections. It is important that the intended use of a voting method match its actual application. Multi-winner voting methods can promote proportional representation which fosters diversity of our elected officials. Election officials should conduct post-election analysis to evaluate the voters’ usage of the voting method and the election’s reflection of voters’ stated preferences. There should be enough data transparency—for example, access to ballot records in anonymous form—for an independent analysis to be conducted by other interested groups.