20130131_Presentation_CVRCV_Kimball 1
January 31, 2013
RCV and CV election systems
Anaheim, California
Prepared for the Citizens Advisory Committee
University of Missouri, St. Louis
David Kimball
Choice Voting
Cumulative Voting and Ranked
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RCV and CV election systems
the candidates in order of preference.
Instead of choosing one candidate, voters are asked to rank
RCV is typically used when electing a single candidate.
RCV is used in more than 10 cities and in several states.
RCV is also called Instant Runoff Voting (IRV).
How Ranked Choice Voting Works
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RCV and CV election systems
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RCV and CV election systems
votes against the remaining candidates.
This process continues until a candidate has a majority of the
second preference.
candidate are now allocated to the candidate indicated as their
place candidate is eliminated. Ballots cast for the last place
the last choice votes, -majority of firstIf no candidate receives a
she is elected.
choice votes, he or -If one candidate receives a majority of first
Ballots
RCV: Iterative Ballot Counting
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RCV and CV election systems
2006. BlashSource: Neely, Cook, and
Data from an exit poll of voters in the 2005 San Francisco election.
59% 32% 51% 47% RCV to former system Prefer
51% 72% 65%67% Ranked three candidates
95% 92% 96% 92% Satisfied with ranking
88% 84% 86%90% Understood RCV
White American PI Latino Measure
African Asian/ Hispanic/ Evaluation
Voter Use of RCV in San Francisco
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RCV and CV election systems
cities.
RCV has been used in several large and diverse American
their usual base of supporters.
RCV encourages candidates to appeal to voters outside of
election.
RCV can reduce the cost of an extra runoff or primary
RCV allows voters to express a fuller set of preferences.
Advantages of RCV
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RCV and CV election systems
RCV.Voting technology may not be configured to handle
Vote counting will take more time.
A voter education effort will be needed.
complex than traditional systems.
The ballot, voting decisions, and vote counting are more
system.
known about how voters and candidates handle the RCV
Since it is relatively new in the United States, not a lot is
Disadvantages of RCV
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RCV and CV election systems
Candidates receiving the most votes are elected to the seats.
Example: Voters may give all of their votes to one candidate
Voters are not limited to giving one vote per candidate.
Voters are given as many votes as there are seats to fill.
large systems.-CV is typically adopted to replace at
Used in multimember elections (several seats to fill).
How Cumulative Voting (CV) Works
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RCV and CV election systems
Cumulative Voting Ballot Example
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RCV and CV election systems
Cumulative Voting Ballot Example
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RCV and CV election systems
CV and Minority Groups
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RCV and CV election systems
Number of Seats Elected with CV
108642
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1010
11
12.5
14
15
17
2020
2525
30
33
35
Threshold by Number of Seats in CV
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RCV and CV election systems
all six seats chosen. First election with CV in June 2010
federal court.
The village adopted CV in a consent decree with the
Court ruled against Port Chester in 2008.
Hispanics comprise about half the population.
No Hispanic individual ever elected to Board, yet
Latino representation on Board of Trustees.
large voting system reduced opportunities for -The at
against Port Chester in 2006.
The Department of Justice filed a voting rights lawsuit
Port Chester, NY Case with CV
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RCV and CV election systems
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RCV and CV election systems
http://portchestervotes.comWeb site:
Usability testing of materials
Training for poll workers
Newsletters to school parents
Sample ballots and instructions
PSAs (radio, TV, newspapers) and news coverage
Community presentations
FairVoteCoordinated with -All bilingual
Voter Education Program
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RCV and CV election systems
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RCV and CV election systems
2011. KropfSource: Kimball and
Data from an exit poll of voters in the 2010 Port Chester election.
27% 47%51% all 6 votes Plumped
93% 92% 94% Excellent or good voting experience
81% 88%92% CV handout Saw
helpful
46% 51%66%Community presentations very
70% 75%77% very easy Voting instructions
45% 53%74% with cumulative voting Familiar
White American Latino Measure
Hispanic -Non African Hispanic/ Evaluation
Exit Poll of Port Chester Voters
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RCV and CV election systems
to the Board of Trustees.
For the first time, an African American candidate was elected
Board of Trustees.
For the first time, a Latino candidate was elected to the
Turnout was 25% higher than recent local elections.
votes.they used all 6 voters said 97% of
Port Chester 2010 Voting Results
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RCV and CV election systems
CV does not require drawing district lines.
exclusion.
the minority voting population exceeds the threshold of
government comparable to district systems, provided that
CV elections produce minority representation in local
large or district systems.-than elections with at
Local elections with CV tend to have higher voter turnout
shown they can properly use the CV system.
Campaigns and voters (especially minority groups) have
mobilize candidates and voters.
CV elections tend to be more competitive and tend to
Advantages of Cumulative Voting
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RCV and CV election systems
needed.
For a smooth election, a substantial voter education effort is
Voting technology may not be configured to handle CV.
CV has mostly been used in small communities.
Disadvantages of CV
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RCV and CV election systems
.State UniversityPublic Research Institute, San Francisco
. San Francisco 2005 Election: Final Reportin the Choice Voting -Ranked
An Assessment of . 2006. Blash LiselNeely, Francis, Corey Cook, and
554.-36:530American Politics Research
Runoff -Overvotes, Undervotes
.kimballd/PCExitPollFinalReport.pdf://www.umsl.edu/~http
. March 24, 2011, Educational Program Exit Poll Report, Port Chester, NY
Voting Cumulative . 2010. KropfDavid C. Kimball and Martha
University Press.
. Columbus, OH: Ohio State Reform and Minority Representation
Electoral . 2003. BrockingtonShaun Bowler, Todd Donovan, and David
Additional Sources