Choice voting is the form of proportional representation most commonly used for student elections in the United States. While the winner-take-all systems currently found at most schools allow dominant groups to sweep the vast majority of seats, choice voting/STV lets smaller student groups consolidate their support and win representation. When implemented at colleges and universities, choice voting has typically resulted in more diverse legislative bodies, greater student engagement and increased turnout.

You may find yourself asking: Who wouldn’t want to implement a more democratic electoral system? It’s a good question. If campuses are not bastions of political expression, how can the young voters of today believe that their voices will be heard elsewhere? Early voter mobilization and the realization that each vote can and will count are essential elements in well-functioning democratic countries.

 

October 19th 2009
A better election system
Lowell Sun

Election expert Doug Amy explains how choice voting can "inject new blood" into the elections of Lowell (MA), and give voters a greater incentive to participate.

October 16th 2009
Haven't Detroit voters spoken enough?
Livingston Daily

In Detroit, there have been three mayors in the past two years and the current one has come under scrutiny. Perhaps a system like instant runoff voting will help bring political stability to motor city.

August 21st 2009
Black candidate for Euclid school board to test new voting system
Cleveland Plain Dealer

Limited voting, a form of proportional voting, will be used in Euclid (OH), in the hopes of allowing better representation of minorities.

July 2nd 2009
Reforming Albany
New York Times

FairVote's Rob Richie responds in a letter to the editor making the case for proportional voting systems to bring substantive reform to New York's legislature.