<[link removed]>
Hi Friend,
You may have noticed that Tuesday was Election Day! While 2023 might be an
“off year” for some because it’s not a midterm or presidential election year,
there wereimportant state and local races
<[link removed]> on the ballot
across the country.
When it comes to the Voters First Movement, instant runoffs (ranked choice
voting) carried the day — and has now won 27 city ballot measures in a row.
Some highlights:
* Three cities in Michigan — Kalamazoo
<[link removed]>
,East Lansing
<[link removed]>
, andRoyal Oak
<[link removed]>
— voted to adopt instant runoff voting.
* Easthampton, Mass. <[link removed]> voted to expand
instant runoffs.
* An effort to repeal instant runoff voting in Minnetonka, Minn.
<[link removed]>
was resoundingly rejected for the second time in three years.
* 21 cities used instant runoff voting across seven states.
* Boulder, Colo.
<[link removed]>
successfully used it for the first time to elect its mayor.
What % of voters elected their state houses this year?
While instant runoffs were a bright spot for voters this week, the Primary
Problem loomed large elsewhere. Three states — Mississippi, New Jersey, and
Virginia — elected new state legislatures. The numbers are shocking, and not in
a good way. Because of restrictive partisan primary rules and uncompetitive
general elections, just 8.3% of eligible voters in those states on average
elected their entire state house. Let that sink in.
On November 18, Louisiana will hold runoff elections for its state
legislature. Because Louisiana abolished partisan primaries and all voters are
able to participate, it’s likely that a higher percentage of Louisiana voters
will cast “Meaningful Votes” this year to elect their state house. If you’re
interested in learning more about the benefits of Louisiana’s election system,
check outresearch we published last year
<[link removed]>
. We’ll report back on results in the next newsletter.
<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>
Partner Spotlight: Democracy Maine
<[link removed]>
My colleague Alana Persson interviewed Anna Kellar, executive director of
Democracy Maine, forour latest Partner Spotlight
<[link removed]>. Maine has been a
national leader when it comes to democracy reform, perhaps most notably as the
first state to use instant runoffs for federal elections. Most recently, the
Maine Legislature passed semi-open primaries, which will allow independent
voters to participate in the primary of their choosing next year.
As Anna says about communicating this news to independent voters, “I'm excited
about going to voters and saying, ‘You can actually participate in these
upcoming elections’!”
You can find all of our Partner Spotlights and other Storytelling on our
website <[link removed]>.
<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>
Types of primaries, explained
<[link removed]>
I think we all know that election reform can be a wonky topic. Every state has
different rules and procedures, and it can get real complicated, real fast.
That’s why we’ve launched a new series on our website called “Explainers.” The
goal is to simplify the most important election reform concepts, and give
supporters like you the knowledge you need to feel confident explaining it to
your friends and family.
Our first Explainer is on the different types of primaries
<[link removed]>.
You’ll get up to speed on which states use which primary system, the benefits
and limitations of each, and more.
<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>
Before I sign off, this Saturday is Veterans Day. If you’re a veteran reading
this newsletter, thank you for your service to our country and for being on the
front lines of protecting America’s democracy.
Veterans have also been on the front lines of making sure that every voter
has the right to vote in primary elections. About half of veterans identify as
either independent or unaffiliated voters. But in 15 states, they’re not
guaranteed the right to participate in primaries. On Saturday, we’ll be
publishing our next Partner Spotlight onVeterans for All Voters
<[link removed]> and the work they’re doing to ensure
all veterans — and all Americans — have a meaningful voice in our democracy.
Head to ourwebsite <[link removed]> and “X” account
<[link removed]> on Saturday for more information, and be
sure to check out theirVeterans Day Message
<[link removed]>.
Ross
P.S. — Our partner Open Primaries is hosting their next Virtual Discussion
next week:Young Voters Stand Up for Open Primaries. You can sign up to attend he
re <[link removed]>.
__
Ross Sherman
Press Director, Unite America
DONATE <[link removed]>
Want to stop receiving our weekly Three Things Thursday emails? Unsubscribe
<[link removed]>
from Three Things Thursday, orUnsubscribe
<[link removed]>
from all Unite America communications.
Unite America | 1580 Lincoln St Suite #520 Denver, CO 80203
Paid for by Unite America PAC INC.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
www.uniteamerica.org <[link removed]>
