Green Party Celebrates Election Reform Victory

THE GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES

MEDIA ADVISORY
For immediate release:
Wednesday, March 6, 2002

Contacts:
Dean Myerson, Political Coordinator,
202-296-7755, greens [at] deanmyerson.org
Nancy Allen, Media Coordinator, 207-326-4576,
nallen [at] acadia.net
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624,
scottmclarty [at] yahoo.com


GREEN PARTY CELEBRATES ELECTION REFORM VICTORY

Instant Runoff Vote in San Francisco a major
advance for voter choice


WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Greens hailed the passage of
Proposition A in San Francisco with 56% of the
vote yesterday, saying that San Francisco voters
can now vote their hopes, not their fears. With
Instant Runoff Voting (IRV), San Franciscans will
be able to rank candidates in order of
preference, without facing the dilemma that a
vote for a favorite candidate in the Green Party
or any other party might help elect their least
favorite Democratic or Republican candidate.

"IRV gives voters the opportunity to vote for
their favorite candidate without giving in to the
fear tactics played by major party candidates,"
said Dean Myerson, Political Coordinator of the
Green Party of the United States.

IRV allows voters to indicate a second preference
on the ballot, and their votes will transfer to
that candidate if no candidate wins a majority in
the first count. Many voters have been dismayed,
when voting in at-large elections, that a vote
for a Green or other third party candidate might
help elect somebody they don't like.

"It's a victory for all voters who want greater
choice and fair elections," added Myerson.

Proposition A was placed on the ballot by a 10-1
vote of the San Francisco County Board of
Supervisors, led by Green Party Supervisor, Matt
Gonzalez. The nonpartisan Center for Voting and
Democracy spearheaded the campaign, which was
supported by many Green Party members. IRV will
replace standard delayed runoff elections, which
normally occur in December and have very low
turnout. Canceling these extra runoff elections
will save the County of San Francisco $2 million
each time.

The San Francisco initiative was supported by
many groups, including the Green Party,
Democratic Party, Sierra Club, San Francisco
Labor Council, Common Cause, and NOW. It was
opposed by Republicans who had hoped that
progressive voters would continue to split their
votes. IRV is currently used in Australia,
Ireland, and Great Britain. The momentum in the
U.S. for such voting reforms is increasing as
Vermont moves to enact IRV; Alaska will hold a
statewide referendum on IRV later this year.


MORE INFORMATION

The Green Party of the United States http:
http://www.greenpartyus.org

The Center for Voting and Democracy
http://www.fairvote.org


END