On March 16th, Former Vermont Governor and Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean continued his support for instant runoff voting on Vermont Radio's Mark Johnson Show. Commenting on Burlington's recent IRV election, Dean said "I think the best and most democratic way to use to elect people in multiparty elections is instant runoff voting." Dean also supported the system when it was first used in Burlington in 2006.
Citizens of Burlington, Vermont went to the polls on Tuesday, March 3rd to vote for the second time in an election using instant runoff voting. At 8:25 PM, the city declared that incumbent Mayor Bob Kiss had won reelection in the third and final round of counting, narrowly edging out challenger Kurt Wright, 51.5% to 48.5%. The race was unique in that it had four candidates that had a legitimate shot at winning: Progressive Kiss, Republican Wright, Democrat Andy Montroll, and independent Dan Smith. In most other American cities, there would be fear of "spoiler" candidates, but IRV allowed all four candidates to run without having to worry about being labeled "spoilers."
On April 4, Vermont governor Jim Douglas chose to veto legislation to re-establish majority elections for Congress in his state through instant runoff voting. Vermont would have been the first state to enact IRV for Congress; legislative leaders affirmed their commitment to the bill, and it is sure to move in the state again. FairVote has worked hard to support this legislation, which likely generated more than 600 phone calls to the governor from Vermonters.
Burlington to try instant runoff voting againBy The Associated Press
Published February 19th 2009 in Rutland Herald
BURLINGTON - For a second time, voters in Burlington will choose their mayor through instant run-off voting, by ranking their choices instead of selecting a single candidate.
If none receives a majority, the lowest vote getter is eliminated and voters' second choices are added to the totals.
Last year, Mayor Bob Kiss became the first Vermont executive elected via instant runoff voting, which was approved in Burlington in 2005.
A survey conducted by University of Vermont political students in March 2006 found that most voters favored the new system.
On March 3, they will get to try it again. The ballot will have five candidates for mayor. Voters will be asked to rank them and at a minimum chose a first choice.
If none receives a majority, the lowest vote getter is eliminated and voters' second choices are added to the totals.
Last year, Mayor Bob Kiss became the first Vermont executive elected via instant runoff voting, which was approved in Burlington in 2005.
A survey conducted by University of Vermont political students in March 2006 found that most voters favored the new system.
On March 3, they will get to try it again. The ballot will have five candidates for mayor. Voters will be asked to rank them and at a minimum chose a first choice.
