News

RCV Used Throughout California

The 2022 Midterm Election is over, and although the results are still coming in, Ranked Choice Voting was used and voted to be implemented throughout the state.  

- The Alameda County Registrar of Voters fulfilled their promises of promptly posting RCV results on the web, and continuing eliminations until two candidates remain.

- Albany had a multi-winner RCV election, also known as Proportional Ranked Choice Voting (PRCV). The final winners were determined by surplus transfers.  The candidates leading in the first round won.

- Berkeley city council district 1, San Leandro mayor, and San Leandro council district 1 also went to multiple rounds, where the first-round leader won.  All other contests in San Francisco and the East Bay were settled in the first round.

- Although Eureka approved RCV via a ballot measure in 2020, they did not use RCV in this election because the Secretary of State would not certify their voting machines for an RCV election. However, this did not make a difference because every election was a race between two or fewer candidates.

- The Oakland mayoral race still has mail-in ballots being counted the latest results are here on the Official Election Site of Alameda County. As of Friday, November 11th, the race has gone 9 rounds, with 5 of the 10 candidates eliminated. Three candidates were above 10% in the first round. Also, in Oakland, the school board district 4 race had the first-round second-place candidate pull ahead and win in the second round.

- Ranked choice voting had a big win in Ojai with 56% of the voters saying yes to Measure M. The Ojai Valley Democratic Club led an army of volunteers to spread the word about RCV, putting door hangers on every single household.  The Ojai City Council now has the authority from the voters to adopt RCV at their discretion, and RCV could be used for their 2024 election for the first time. 

- Palm Desert used RCV for their election for the FIRST time!  Voters used multi-winner PRCV to elect at-large city council members. Just like in Albany, the two first-round leaders are also leading in the final-round count. Full details here. RCV was enacted in 2020 via a lawsuit settlement regarding the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and the dilution of the Latino population. 

- The Redondo  Beach City Council unanimously approved a motion for city staff to put together language for an RCV ballot measure. Two more key votes must occur for RCV to be adopted in Redondo Beach: 

  • In December 2022, the City Council must approve the language and refer the measure to the ballot
  • The voters of Redondo Beach must approve the measure at their upcoming March 2023 election

 

If you're interested in getting involved with Ranked Choice Voting in California, sign up to volunteer here or consider making a donation. 

Warren Lee

Written by
November 11, 2022

  • RCV Used Throughout California

    The 2022 Midterm Election is over, and although the results are still coming in, Ranked Choice Voting was used and voted to be implemented throughout the state.  

    - The Alameda County Registrar of Voters fulfilled their promises of promptly posting RCV results on the web, and continuing eliminations until two candidates remain.

    - Albany had a multi-winner RCV election, also known as Proportional Ranked Choice Voting (PRCV). The final winners were determined by surplus transfers.  The candidates leading in the first round won.

    - Berkeley city council district 1, San Leandro mayor, and San Leandro council district 1 also went to multiple rounds, where the first-round leader won.  All other contests in San Francisco and the East Bay were settled in the first round.

    - Although Eureka approved RCV via a ballot measure in 2020, they did not use RCV in this election because the Secretary of State would not certify their voting machines for an RCV election. However, this did not make a difference because every election was a race between two or fewer candidates.

    - The Oakland mayoral race still has mail-in ballots being counted the latest results are here on the Official Election Site of Alameda County. As of Friday, November 11th, the race has gone 9 rounds, with 5 of the 10 candidates eliminated. Three candidates were above 10% in the first round. Also, in Oakland, the school board district 4 race had the first-round second-place candidate pull ahead and win in the second round.

    - Ranked choice voting had a big win in Ojai with 56% of the voters saying yes to Measure M. The Ojai Valley Democratic Club led an army of volunteers to spread the word about RCV, putting door hangers on every single household.  The Ojai City Council now has the authority from the voters to adopt RCV at their discretion, and RCV could be used for their 2024 election for the first time. 

    - Palm Desert used RCV for their election for the FIRST time!  Voters used multi-winner PRCV to elect at-large city council members. Just like in Albany, the two first-round leaders are also leading in the final-round count. Full details here. RCV was enacted in 2020 via a lawsuit settlement regarding the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and the dilution of the Latino population. 

    - The Redondo  Beach City Council unanimously approved a motion for city staff to put together language for an RCV ballot measure. Two more key votes must occur for RCV to be adopted in Redondo Beach: 

    • In December 2022, the City Council must approve the language and refer the measure to the ballot
    • The voters of Redondo Beach must approve the measure at their upcoming March 2023 election

     

    If you're interested in getting involved with Ranked Choice Voting in California, sign up to volunteer here or consider making a donation. 

    Warren Lee

    Written by
    November 11, 2022

  • VOLUNTEER VOICES: From Politically Homeless To Proud Volunteer

    Recently, a candidate in Louisiana posted viral campaign ads which included smoking cannabis and burning a Confederate flag. Despite the incredible imagery in each short video, it’s one line delivered by the candidate, Gary Chambers, that I haven’t been able to shake.

    ”Our system isn’t broken. It’s designed to do exactly what it’s doing.”

    My interest in politics extends back into my teenage years. Yet, for most of my life, I’ve felt politically homeless. I know I’m not the only one.

    Rajani Maiatico

    Written by
    September 01, 2022

  • VOLUNTEER VOICES: Let's Be One Nation Again

    I volunteered for Cal RCV because I’m tired!

    I am utterly exhausted of the hostility and hatred where Americans view each other as enemies trying to destroy the country we share. I’m tired of the countless troubles plaguing our cities, suburbs, and countrysides with nothing getting done because politicians brag more about bills they kill than ones they compromise to achieve.

    Luke Georgette

    Written by
    July 22, 2022

  • VOLUNTEER VOICES: Because Your Vote Matters

    Growing up, I'm sure you were asked, "What do you want to be when you get older." A lot of the time, children will answer with "astronaut" because they love space, "veterinarian" because they love animals, or "teacher" because they love people.

    Amari Mcgaha

    Written by
    April 01, 2022

  • VOLUNTEER VOICES: How I Joined Cal RCV

    I stared at the screen in disbelief and wonder. This was all so much more than I could have ever expected or hoped for! It was so plainly obvious to me now what I had to do. But, let me back up for a moment…

    Felix Ling

    Written by
    March 07, 2022

  • Let's Try RCV! Vote Now for MAYOR of ANIMAL CITY.

    Ranked Choice Voting is simple and easy to use. Unlike our current method, Ranked Choice Voting allows voters the option to vote for all candidates in order of preference. Cast your vote by clicking the link below.

    CLICK HERE to Vote for MAYOR of ANIMAL CITY!

    Paul Copley

    Written by
    February 18, 2022

  • Cal RCV & Level Up California to Co-Host Panel Discussion with Andrew Yang, Rob Richie, and Maria Perez

    Cal RCV & its coalition partner, Level Up California, are excited to announce a panel discussion featuring Andrew Yang, Rob Richie, and Maria Perez entitled, "Is RCV the One Reform to Save America?"

    Paul Copley

    Written by
    January 06, 2022

  • Cal RCV In The News: Tom Charron Interview with The Fulcrum

    California RCV Coalition cofounder Tom Charron recently sat down with Shawn Griffiths of the Independent Voter Project to talk about ranked choice voting and the September launch of Cal RCV. The following is an excerpt of that interview with was posted to the IVP website, and later published on The Fulcrum. To read the entire interview, click on the link below the excerpt.

    Paul Copley

    Written by
    September 25, 2021