IRV Press Conference in SF, Noon, Wed 19th - Attend for Election Reform!

IRV Press Conference
Wednesday, 03/19/03
12:00PM-1:00PM As you may know, the city is dragging it's feet on getting IRV implemented in time for this November election. An ad hoc coalition of political activists are working to move the process of implementing IRV along and we are asking you to help the push for IRV in the following ways:

1) Attend an IRV Press Conference at City Hall on March 19 at noon; 2) Write a letter to the City Attorney and cc the Department of Elections, Elections Commission and the Board of Supervisors (talking points and sample letter are below )

If you are affiliated with a political group, club or organization: 1) Write a letter from your organization on organization letter head to the City Atty 2) Ask other members of your group to send letters as well; 3) Ask your membership to attend the Press conference on March 19

Here are points folks can make in their letters:

1. The voters passed Proposition A to increase participation, save tax dollars, and eliminate the need for costly, low turnout December runoff elections.

2. The public, especially candidates and organizations that participate in elections, are not well served by uncertainly about the system that is going to be used. We urge you to make it clear that to the public that the voters have spoken, the law is clear, and the Department of Elections can and will implement instant runoff voting this November.

3. We also urge you to facilitate the signing of the contract between the Department of Elections and the voting equipment vendor as soon as possible.

4. We also ask you to make sure that the Department of Elections conducts an adequate voter education program as required by the charter.

For reference, contact information is below.

Dear City Atty:

The voters adopted instant runoff voting because it saves millions of tax dollars, significantly increases voter turnout and eliminates the need for costly and inconvenient December runoff elections.

Please ensure that the City signs the contract with the vendor, Elections Systems and Software (ES&S) as soon as possible, and then let the public know that we are going to use instant runoff voting and exactly how it is going to work.

Please also see that the Department complies with the charter mandates to conduct adequate voter education.

Sincerely,

Cc: Director of Elections Elections Commission Board of Supervisors

City Attorney Dennis Herrera City Hall, Room 234 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 554-4700 (415) 554-4745 fax mailto:cityattorney [at] sfgov.org

John Arntz, Director Department of Elections, Room 48 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place San Francisco CA 94102 (415) 554-4348 (415) 554-7344 fax mailto:John.Arntz [at] sfgov.org

Board of Supervisors City Hall, Room 244 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place San Francisco, CA 94102-4689 (415) 554-5184 (415) 554-5163 fax mailto:board.of.supervisors [at] sfgov.org

Elections Commission City Hall, Room 48 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 554-4305 (415) 554-7457 fax mailto:elections.commission [at] sfgov.org