Minnesota Supreme Court Unanimously Approves IRV as More Cities Debate It
The Minnesota Supreme Court on June 11 unanimously rejected legal arguments against Minneapolis's elections moving forward this November with instant runoff voting for mayor and city council and choice voting for park board. FairVote Minnesota, an intervenor in the case, said the Court has "blazed a path that every community in our state can follow toward better elections and a stronger democracy." Saint Paul and Duluth are also debating adoption of IRV.
Meanwhile top political leaders in San Jose (CA) participated in the New America Foundation's June 11th forum on adopting IRV, the city council in Hoboken (NJ) passed a pro-IRV measure this month and three political scientists in Washington issued a report analyzing the November 2008 IRV elections in Pierce County. The latter report found that IRV "does an effective job of simulating both a primary and general in one election," while making it less costly to run - only three of the six biggest spenders won.
Other Resources:
FairVote Minnesota statement on Court victory
Minnesota Supreme Court ruling
Coverage of IRV forum in San Jose
New America Foundation report on IRV in San Jose
Column on case for IRV in Torrance (CA)
Coverage of pro-IRV resolution in Hoboken
Pierce County analysis by political scientist
FairVote blog on recent IRV successes