San Francisco
Ethics Commission Resolution
Resolution Passed by the San
Francisco Ethics Commission Calling for Immediate Implementation
of Instant Runoff Voting in Time for the
November 2003 Election. -- Adopted Unanimously on June 23, 2003
WHEREAS, the voters of San Francisco have overwhelmingly supported
encouraging candidates to reduce campaign spending, and WHEREAS, A
clear majority of the voters have consistently supported reasonable
limitations on contributions both to candidates and independent
expenditure committees to reduce the actual and perceived corrupting
influence of large contributions on public policy decisions by local
elected officials; and WHEREAS, Public testimony to the Ethics
Commission and the campaign finance reports filed with the
Commission show that historically, the amount of independent
expenditures has been considerably greater in run-off elections, as
compared to general elections; and WHEREAS, the Commission's
records indicate that the amount of independent expenditures made to
support or oppose candidates for the Board of Supervisors in the
November 2002 general election amounted to $59,357, and that amount
increased almost four-fold to $202,548 in the run-off election; and
WHEREAS, the historical experience is that voter turnout is usually
considerably smaller in run-off elections as compared to general
elections; and WHEREAS, the implementation of Instant Run-Off
Voting as required by Proposition A passed by the voters in March
2002 would eliminate a run-off election for each of the local City
offices to be elected in the fall of 2003: the offices of the Mayor,
Sheriff and District Attorney; and WHEREAS, the Ethics Commission
finds that implementation of Instant Run-off Voting would
dramatically reduce the amount of large independent expenditures in
this fall's election; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the
Ethics Commission urges the Board of Supervisors to take all steps
necessary to implement immediately the Instant Run-Off Voting system
as required by the voters by passage of Proposition A for the
November 2003 general election. |