“Every single consideration discussed in this report favors the move from single-member plurality elections to multi-member districts with ranked choice voting. The many civic benefits [include] better proportionality, increased responsiveness to smaller constituent groups, [and] opportunities for improved economic parity.”
Memphis voted to implement ranked choice voting in 2008 with 73% approval from voters. Two referendums to repeal the measure, placed on the 2018 ballot by the city council, failed with less than 37% support. Memphis voters deserve to see ranked choice voting implemented in the 2019 City Council Races.
The allocation of $15 million for Census outreach is an impressive first victory for the newly formed Washington Census Alliance. The group, made up of over 70 organizations led by people of color, formed to make sure families and neighbors are counted, despite Trump administration efforts to weaken the 2020 Census.
“The inherent bias in the current two-stage, at-large election system not only disadvantages people of color, but also anyone who is not from a privileged, white, male background. Only nine women have served, and—up to now—none of them have been women of color.”