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Marcus Harcus for Minneapolis City Council - 4th Ward, November 3rd, 2009!
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*For ImmediateRelease*
*"Full Speed" Ahead for Instant Runoff Voting in Minneapolis*
MINNEAPOLIS (Feb. 6) Yesterday's overwhelming endorsement of Instant
Runoff Voting (IRV) by the Minneapolis City Council puts implementation of
the voting method "on the fast track to election day" according to Jeanne
Massey, executive director of FairVote Minnesota, the non-partisan advocacy
group working in support of IRV and other measures to improve elections.
"On Thursday, the Minneapolis Council spoke loudly, overwhelmingly and
unambiguously in support of IRV," Massey said. "Their affirmation keeps IRV
on track for 2009 and respects the intent of the city's voters, who approved
IRV by a 2 to 1 margin in 2006."
The council voted 12 to 1 on a motion by 8th Ward Council Member and
Elections Committee Chair Elizabeth Glidden to direct staff to proceed "full
speed" ahead to implement IRV after hearing from Elections Director Cindy
Reichert that her department is prepared to do. The only dissenting vote
came from 1st Ward Council Member Paul Ostrow, who supports IRV, but doesn't
think the city can be ready to implement it in the current election cycle.
The council's vote comes less than a month after Hennepin County District
Court Judge McGunnigle resoundingly rejected a lawsuit brought by the
Minnesota Voters Alliance that argued that IRV is unconstitutional and is
not permitted by state law. The ruling unequivocally upheld Minneapolis'
right to use IRV for its municipal elections.
Minnesota Voters Alliance has appealed its loss and the City of Minneapolis
has filed a motion with the Minnesota Supreme Court for an expedited and
accelerated review. City Attorney Susan Segal told the council yesterday
that there is a good possibility that the Supreme Court will accept the
review because of the urgency of the case and the importance the Court gives
elections issues. Segal estimated that the Court could issue a ruling in as
early as three months. Staff was directed to prepare a contingency plan for
a traditional election in the unlikely outcome that the Supreme Court
overturned the District Court decision.
11th Ward Council Member Scott Benson strongly urged the council to keep IRV
on track, "The voters have voted for this, the court has ruled strongly in
our favor, we are moving ahead."
Similarly, Senior Policy Aide/Council Liaison Peter Wagenius, speaking on
behalf of Mayor R.T. Rybak, urged the council to move forward expeditiously
in implementing IRV, saying, "To do otherwise would be disrespecting the
will of the voters." On behalf of the Mayor, Wagenius called upon the
council, staff and advocates to collaborate to accomplish the critical work
ahead.
"We're looking forward to working with the city to implement IRV this year,"
Massey said in conclusion. "Minneapolis is at the forefront within the
State in taking real, tangible steps to improve the quality of our electoral
process and to strengthen our democracy."
*About FairVote Minnesota*
FairVote Minnesota works for better democracy through public education and
advocacy. Our focus is on Instant Runoff Voting and other progressive voting
systems that lead to greater competitiveness, better representation and more
participation in elections.
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Note to editors: For more information, please contact Jeanne Massey at 763-807-2550.
Dakotah Johnson
Saint Anthony East, Minneapolis
Info about Dakotah Johnson: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/5GissMSSk7dE6qIH58kIQK
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