By By Lenora Chu
Published February 6th 2004 in Pioneer Press
The Senate Elections Committee passed on a 5-2 vote Thursday a bill that would allow Minnesota cities the option of using alternative voting methods in municipal elections.
Supporters in Roseville hope the Legislature will quickly pass the bill so the city can adopt instant runoff voting — whereby voters rank candidates in order of preference — for an April 20 special City Council election.
"It's very tough to get a bill passed here very quickly, especially something new like this," said Sen. John Marty, a Roseville DFLer and sponsor of the bill. "But I'm hopeful."
In early January, the Roseville City Council unanimously passed a resolution asking the Legislature to allow them the instant-runoff option.
In a race with more than two candidates, instant-runoff voting ensures that the winner takes office with more than 50 percent of the vote.
It can save money by eliminating the need for a primary in nonpartisan elections such as those for mayor and City Council.
The measure, which also requires electronic voting systems purchased after July 1 to support alternative voting methods, could be taken up on the Senate floor as early as next week, Marty said.
Rep. Jim Rhodes, who chairs the committee that will be the companion bill's first stop in the House, has said he recognizes the need for a speedy hearing.
Election Day '09 was a roller-coaster for election reformers. Instant runoff voting had a great night in Minnesota, where St. Paul voters chose to implement IRV for its city elections, and Minneapolis voters used IRV for the first time—with local media touting it as a big success. As the Star-Tribune noted in endorsing IRV for St. Paul, Tuesday’s elections give the Twin Cities a chance to show the whole state of Minnesota the benefits of adopting IRV. There were disappointments in Lowell and Pierce County too, but high-profile multi-candidate races in New Jersey and New York keep policymakers focused on ways to reform elections; the Baltimore Sun and Miami Herald were among many newspapers publishing commentary from FairVote board member and former presidential candidate John Anderson on how IRV can mitigate the problems of plurality elections.