HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 084-20 - Support of the Ranked Choice Voting Local Options Bill Resolution
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, all townships and school districts, 86 of 87 counties, and 85 percent of cities
fall under the statutory rule for the conduct of local elections and must ask permission of
the Legislature to make changes to these rules; and
WHEREAS, local charter (or home rule) cities that hold elections in even years along with
state and federal elections must comply with restrictive state partisan ballot design
requirements; and
WHEREAS, there are no consistent rules for the administration of Ranked Choice Voting
in local jurisdictions in Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, the Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) Local Options bill aims to remove
regulatory barriers and extend the authority to adopt Ranked Choice Voting to local
statutory jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, the RCV Local Options bill contains no mandates; and
WHEREAS, the RCV Local Options bill provides for the flexibility to efficiently include
ranked and non-ranked elections on a single ballot; and
WHEREAS, the RCV Local Options bill provides consistent standards for the
administration of RCV in cities that choose to use it; and
WHEREAS, the League of Minnesota Cities supports the need for consistent RCV rules
for use in Minnesota cities; and
WHEREAS, the RCV local options bill contain no mandates, but simply provides local
jurisdictions with the permission and tools they need to consider and implement RCV if
we wish; and
WHEREAS, a growing number of cities are exploring RCV because it provides a number
of benefits over current expensive and low-participation local elections, including:
1. Making voting simpler for voters by eliminating the need for local nonpartisan
primaries and consolidating two elections into one;
2. Saving the cost of primaries altogether in cities with odd-year local elections;
3. Demonstrably increasing voter participation;
4. Ensuring majority winners in a single election. Voters rank their preferences on the
ballot, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and so on. If no candidate receives a majority of first choices,
then the least popular candidate is defeated and their ballots are reassigned to
those voters’ second choices; and this process is repeated until one candidate
receives a majority of continuing ballots;
5. Making voting easier for deployed military members and other citizens abroad by
requiring one less election for them to receive and return their ballots on time;
6. Improving the civility of campaigning; and
7. Reducing the influence of outside money in campaigns.
WHEREAS, more than 87 percent of polled voters in the Twin Cities say that RCV is
simple to use;
WHEREAS, the Local Options measure is a significant opportunity to improve elections
in cities, counties, townships, and school districts throughout the state.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ROCHESTER CITY COUNCIL, we
support removing regulatory barriers and giving all local jurisdictions in Minnesota the
option to use Ranked Choice Voting.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this legislation be added as a priority in the Rochester
Legislative Agenda until passed.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA, THIS __________ DAY OF _______________, 2020.
___________________________________
PRESIDENT OF SAID COMMON COUNCIL
ATTEST: __________________________
CITY CLERK
APPROVED THIS _____ DAY OF ______________________, 2020.
________________________________
MAYOR OF SAID CITY
(Seal of the City of
Rochester, Minnesota)