CR 2004-130 Alternative Voting Task Force
"ugust 17, 2004 Council Report 2004-130
ALTERNATIVE VOTING TASK FORCE
Proposed Action
The Chmier Commission recommends that the Council approve the following motion: Approve Resolution
2004-059. endorsing the creation of an "Alternative Voting Task Force."
Overview
The Hopkins Charier Commission is aware that there are other voting systems besides winner takes all. The
purpose of these voting systems is to ensure that the winning candidate receives a majority of the votes. One
alternative is Instant Run Off Voting or ranked ballot voting. This method allows voters to rank candidates,
The City of Hopkins actually had a similar voting system when it first adopted its Charter in 1947.
The Hopkins Charter Commission is recommending that the City Council endorse the creation of a task force
to examine alternative voting systems. The task force would review studies that have been done and examine
the use of alternative voting systems in other jurisdictions. The task force would also study the feasibility of
.sing an alternative voting system in local municipal and school board elections, Finally, the task force would
repare a report that would be delivered to the Hopkins Charter Commission no later than April of 2005.
Primarv Issues to Consider
. Does this action change the way voting is done in Hopkins?
. Who would serve on the Task Force?
. How does Instant Run Off V oting or ranked ballot voting work?
. What are the advantages of Alternative Voting systems?
Supporting Information
. Resolution 2004-059
. Charter Commission Resolution 2004-02
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dneS A. Genellie
/' Assistant City Manager
.
.oulleil Report 2004-130
Page 2
Analvsis of the Issues
. Does this action chimge the way voting is done in Hopkins?
This action has no affect on how voting is cUlTently done in Hopkins. It simply examines alternative methods
of voting.
. Who would serve on the Task Force'!
The Task Force would be made up of representatives from the Charter Commission, City Council, City Staff,
Hopkins School District, and interested individuals from Hopkins and other cities affected by changes in
Hopkins school board elections (i.e. Milmetonka, St. Louis Park, and Golden Valley.)
. How does Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) or ranked ballot voting work?
fR V is a ranked bal10t met110d of voting that results in a winner chosen by a majority of the voters. The voters
rank the candidates in order of preference. Each voter has one vote which counts for the highcst prefelTed
candidate that can use it. The term "Instant Runoff V oting" was coined because the method of transferring
votes from defeated candidates to continuing candidates is just like a runoff election except that it is
accomplished on one ballot.
_he ballot might look like the example below. Voters would be asked to rank the candidates in order of
reference their first choice and their runoff choices
1 st 2nd 3rd
choice choice choice
John D 0 D
Bill D D 0
Frank D D D
How are the votes counted in IR V?
First choices arc counted. If no candidate receives a majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is defeated,
and those votes are transferred to the next ranked candidate on each ballot. The votes are recounted. The
process continues until one candidate has a majority of the votes and is declared the winner.
In the example below Bill is dropped and the second choice votes on all of the ballots that voted for Bill are
distributed to the other candidates. In this case 16 voters had Bill as their first choice and John as their second
choice while four voters had Bill as their first choice and Frank as their second choice, This process continues
until someone wins a majority.
1 st Choices Instant Runoff Final Results
John 35 +16 51 Winner
Bill 20 -20
Frank 45 +4 49
Total 100
Winning Threshold: 50%+1= 51
.ouncil Report 2004-130
Page 3
. What are the advantages of Alternative Voting systems?
Advocates for Alternative Voting systems, especially Instant runoff voting (TRV) , make the following
arguments for this method of voting:
. Ensures majority rule, in contrast to plurality voting.
. Saves money compared to costly two-round runoff elections, which often have low voter turnout.
. Increases voter turnout by giving voters better choices.
. Promotes positive, issue-based campaigns because candidates will seek 2nd and 3rd choice votes.
. Creates a clearer mandate for a winning candidate's agenda, giving better direction for policy-making.
. Solves the problem of groupings of voters splitting their votes among similar candidates, which allows a
candidate with only minority support to win.
. Minimizes "wasted" votes, votes that don't help elect a wilmer. To the fullest extent possible, your vote
will contribute to electing a candidate that you like.
Altern atives
.. Approve Resolution 2004-059.
2. Do not approve Resolution 2004-059.
The Charter Commission recommends Alternative #1.
.
. CITY OF HOPKINS
Hennepin County, Minnesota
RESOLUTION 2004-059
Whereas, the Hopkins City Council recognizes that there are altemative voting systems such as
ranked ballot voting; and
Whereas, these altemative voting systems may improve voter tumout and reduce negative
campaigning; and
Whereas, the Hopkins Charter Commission has recommended that a Task Force be established to
consider altemative voting systems;
Now Therefore be it resolved that the Hopkins City Council endorses the fonnation of an
"Altemative Voting Task Force." The Council furthers encourages citizens to serve on
and support the Task Force.
. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 17th day of August 2004.
By
Gene Maxwell, Mayor
ATTEST:
Terry Obemlaier, City Clerk
.
. Resolution for Alternative Voting Study
Whereas, the Hopkins Charter Commission places a high value on the Mayor being elected with
a majority of the votes; and
WJlereas, the Hopkins Charter Commission places a high value on fair representation for council
member seats; and
Whereas, the City of Hopkins used an alternative voting system from 1948 to 1959; and
Whereas, the State of MN legislature passed legislation in 2003 regarding school board elections
that when the number of candidates was more than double the number of available seats
that a primary must be held; and
Whereas, the City of Hopkins is responsible for conducting all school board elections, including
additional primaries; and
Whereas, the City of Hopkins works in close partnership with the Hopkins School District to
make best use of all resources; and
Whereas, the Hopkins Charter Commission recognizes that there are altemative voting systems
used elsewhere in the United States, such as ranked-order and cumulative voting that
. could eliminate the need for a school board primary and ensure more fair representation
for Mayor, Council Members and School Board Members; and
Therefore be it resolved that the Hopkins Chmiel' Commission f01111 an "Alternative Voting Task
Force" made up ofrepresentation from the Chmier Commission, City Council, City Staff,
Hopkins School District, and interested individuals from Hopkins and other cities
affected by changes in Hopkins school board elections (i.e. Milmetonka, St. Louis Park,
and Golden Valley.)
And be it also resolved that the Hopkins Charter Commission recommends that this task force:
. Obtain, study and evaluate data on alternative voting methods for use in Hopkins
. Present its findings to the Charter Commission no later than the 2005 annual
meeting of the Commission.
And be it also resolved that the Charter Commission recommends that the Hopkins City Council
passes a resolution endorsing the formation of the "Altemative Voting Task Force."
Adopted by the Charter Commission this 22lld day of June 2004.
By:
ChaiqJerson
. ATTEST