John --
On Monday, in honor of Ranked-Choice Voting Day, Forward founder Andrew Yang joined Better Ballot SC and local supporters of ranked-choice voting for a rally at the South Carolina <[link removed]> Statehouse. Andrew spoke about how RCV is the solution to the extreme polarization created by the broken two-party system. “This is the only way to improve our politics, change the incentives, and make it so our leaders have to answer to us,” he said. “Half the time your vote doesn’t matter, and most Americans know that because they’ve been set up in a district where their vote doesn’t count.”
Another speaker at the rally, State Rep. Jermaine Johnson <[link removed]>, plans to introduce a ranked-choice voting bill soon. He emphasized the practical value of RCV. "Ranked-choice voting will allow us to get rid of those dreaded runoffs we all deal with and allow us to save millions of dollars that we can put towards something else, like roads and infrastructure," said Johnson. Costs associated with conducting runoff elections can be substantial—in South Carolina, the price tag is about $1.5 million.
Another red state is taking a look at RCV as well. Like Rep. Johnson, Texas State Rep. Vicki Goodwin <[link removed]> has proposed ranked-choice voting legislation in Austin. The voting system, if approved, would be used in municipal elections throughout the Lone Star State, if municipalities choose to use it. "If we start with our municipal elections, people may see how it works and realize it has a lot of benefits," Goodwin said. A similar municipal effort is underway in New Jersey <[link removed]>, as well.
Reps. Johnson and Goodwin are both Democrats, but ranked-choice voting is a nonpartisan reform that improves the electoral system for all voters, whether they are Republicans, Democrats, another party affiliation, or independents. Forwardists are proud to stand alongside anyone of any party—or none—who believes that voters deserve more choices in elections and that every voter’s voice should be heard. Unfortunately, like so many other issues in American society, from big things like healthcare, immigration, and climate to the hopelessly trivial <[link removed]>, ranked-choice voting has become a victim of partisan warfare…
- Signature drive begins to rid Alaska of ranked-choice voting —Alaska Public Media <[link removed]>
- <[link removed]>Tshibaka joins Palin in effort to end ranked-choice voting —Anchorage Daily News <[link removed]>
- <[link removed]>Committee kills ranked-choice voting for Wyoming —Cowboy State Daily <[link removed]>
OTHER NEWS & VIEWS
Classified documents everywhere
One area of cross-partisan unity <[link removed]> so to speak is in the mishandling of classified documents by former federal officials. The discovery of documents with classified markings at Republican former Vice President Mike Pence's Indiana home follows the revelation of classified materials at Democratic President Joe Biden's Delaware home and former office and the seizure last year of hundreds of classified documents from Republican former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Though there are clear differences among the three, the Justice Department is carefully reviewing each case. —U.S. News & World Report <[link removed]>
Vinnakota & Dubé: Gen Z deserves better
“We have an opportunity and an obligation to turn this around for Gen Z. From an early age, they have been on the frontlines of urgent issues, including climate change, community violence, mental health, economic uncertainty, and immigration. They are laser-focused on the future and embody a spirit of self-empowerment that big change is possible. However, they are also losing faith in institutions, from the government to the media to corporate America. They are skeptical of elected officials on both sides of the aisle. For many of them, the verdict is out on whether democracy works for all. Investments in civics can increase their interest in engaging in civic life and help them learn ways to do so productively.” —Rajiv Vinnakota & Louise Dubé in The Hill <[link removed]>
Haass: Saving democracy is up to us
“What will matter most for America’s future is what ordinary citizens do. Calls for political reforms—even sensible ones—will largely fail if voters are not prepared to first get informed and then get involved in the political process, rewarding those candidates who are prepared to make necessary compromises, reject violence, work across party lines, and put the country first. We get the government and the country we deserve. Getting the one we need, though, is up to us.” —Richard Haass in The Boston Globe <[link removed]>
One of the most damaging effects of extreme partisanship is how it cuts off potentially advantageous innovations from discussion (much less execution) once they’re “tarnished” by one or the other party’s brand. The detrimental but entirely expected result is no progress. On anything. Ranked-choice voting can change all of that and has a real shot at widespread adoption—as long as we don’t let polarization kill the very reform meant to resolve it.
All the best,
The Forward Party Team
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Forward Party - PO Box 9172, Fredericksburg, VA 22403, United States
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