Show your support for the necessary work FairVote does with a generous donation
today as the team looks to build, win, and sustain RCV in 2025 Dear
John,

Three decades of battling for better elections teaches you to take the long view
– and to keep in mind how far we’ve come and the progress we make every year.

I’ve long been inspired by the demand for marriage equality – which lost 31
times on the ballot before its first win – and the deeply moral opposition to
apartheid and Soviet domination of Eastern Europe. Those efforts at times seemed
doomed. Then, almost suddenly, everyone leapt to the right side of history.

With the proper foundation, big change can happen fast. Barriers that seemed
immovable suddenly crumble. What’s possible transforms before our eyes. Future
generations can’t envision life any other way.

This November proved a challenging environment for election reform at the state
level, but FairVote’s road forward – and our vision of change – remains clear.
The momentum remains on our side.

Donate Today Just consider these results amid a difficult year:

* Alaska voted to maintain ranked choice voting and open primaries despite
opposition from Sarah Palin and powerful interests wanting to dominate state
politics. We have not seen a voter repeal of RCV for almost 15 years.
* Washington, D.C. moved overwhelmingly to adopt ranked choice voting for
federal and city elections. More than 70% of residents in the nation’s
capital voted for RCV – including large majorities in every neighborhood and
every precinct. In addition to Washington, RCV won majority support in every
city where it was on the ballot.
* Voters in Alaska and Maine both used ranked choice voting for president,
freeing voters from fear of “spoilers.”
* Voters in cities across the country used RCV. In Oregon’s largest city of
Portland, a fresh face earned a sweeping mayoral win, and proportional RCV
resulted in the city’s most diverse council ever.

We also saw real generational change: Supermajorities of young people backed RCV
everywhere it was on the ballot – a promising sign for the future.

There will be victories and defeats along the way, but change will come. One
cycle will not alter this movement’s path. I’ve seen it before: Fifteen years
ago, we suffered a handful of repeals – but we came back stronger, blocked every
voter repeal since, and even reversed one of the losses. Since then, the number
of places using RCV has grown more than tenfold. We’ve seen the status quo
battle back at nearly every juncture, including in Maine and now Alaska – and
voters have fought them off every time.

I’m thrilled with FairVote’s progress and the leadership of Meredith Sumpter
since I stepped down as CEO. My new role as an advisor to the movement has
enabled me to focus on where I can make the most difference, including advising
FairVote on its exciting new four-year strategy to build, win, and sustain RCV.
Since the election, I’ve had chances to connect with allies nationwide as we
chart a way forward that gives me great hope – including potential big
legislative wins in 2025 and new progress in cities.


Each passing year brings more support for ranked choice voting – and new chances
to win. FairVote is poised for greater impact than ever. But doing so requires
your help. Would you please show your support for the necessary work FairVote
does for American democracy with agenerous donationtoday?

As we approach Thanksgiving, let me say how grateful I am to you, and our
countless friends and supporters, who have done so much for so long to place us
in this strong position. Together, we will create a better democracy for all.
Thank you once again for your confidence and support.

Best wishes,

Rob Richie
FairVote Founder and Senior Advisor


Support FairVote's Work Share Post Website Copyright © 2024 FairVote, All rights
reserved.

Our mailing address is:
8484 Georgia Ave, Suite 240, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can unsubscribe from this list.