Colorado Expands Options For Local Ranked Voting

Maine became the first state to use the ranked voting system statewide starting only in 2018. Since then, a flurry of states and localities have been considering a switch to the unique system. A change to ranked voting and away from the universally used plurality voting system is beginning to be seen by many in both parties as a potential gamechanger. Colorado seems to have taken the bet as it has now expanded options for local ranked voting. This article published by The Denver Post is written by Alex Burness. Here is an excerpt:

More Colorado cities and towns are likely to begin experimenting with ranked-choice voting, following the passage of HB21-1071 on Tuesday morning.

The Democratic bill now only needs the signature of Gov. Jared Polis to become law.

It would allow local governments to conduct ranked-choice elections — also known as instant runoff — through their county clerk’s offices. Under the bill, the secretary of state’s office also would need to develop statewide rules to establish consistent voting systems and auditing practices for any town or city that opts in.

Read the full article here.

For more information on election methods, Democracy Chronicles conducted an exclusive interview series with an international group of election method proponents including prominent signers of the Declaration of Election-Method Reform Advocates. The best place to start off is the Democracy Chronicles introduction and then take a look at each of these interviews:

• Richard Fobes – Election Method Reformer Speaks With DC
• Aaron Hamlin – Interview With President of Center for Election Science
• Andrew Jennings – Redistricting, Vote Splitting and Honest Voting
• augustin – Writer Discusses Election Reform and New Website
• Michael Allen – Election Method Reformer Seeks Radical Changes
• Jameson Quinn – Election Expert Discusses Reform in US and Guatemala
• Michael Ossipoff – Democracy Chronicles Author Discusses Approval Voting
• Robert Bristow-Johnson – Expert Demands Reducing Money in Elections

Also see related Democracy Chronicles articles like those on Voting Methods, Direct Democracy, and definitely check out our main Voting Methods section.