Partisan Elections and Alternative Election Systems (Ranked Choice Voting)

Published 2005

VOTING RIGHTS

Statement of Position: PARTISAN ELECTIONS

The League of Women Voters of Salt Lake believes that the present non-partisan status of Salt Lake City is in keeping with good government. The Salt Lake League is opposed to any efforts to institute partisan municipal elections in Salt Lake City.

Statement of Position: ALTERNATIVE ELECTION SYSTEMS

(In 2004-2005 The League of Women Voters of Utah undertook a study of alternative elections systems. The Salt Lake League began identifying faults in the current political process: the dominance of big money, poor media coverage, voter apathy, inadequate public debate, non-competitive voting districts, and voter frustration with candidates and parties. We agreed that any changes in election systems should address these issues.)

The League of Women Voters of Salt Lake believes a majority vote should be required to elect a candidate to a single seat position. We think that using an instant run-off system to select a majority candidate would support League goals of a more robust political debate, higher voter turn-out, and fewer wasted votes (However, this preference does not preclude the League from supporting other means of achieving a majority where appropriate.)

The League of Women Voters of Salt Lake supports experimentation with proportional representational systems to achieve League goals of improved depth and tenor of political debate, accountable election officials, competitive elections, legislative bodies that reasonably mirror the electorate, and a higher level of citizen participation.

October 2005