Currently, each county officer is elected in two stages. In the first stage all candidates compete in an election consolidated with the Spring primary election. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, the top two vote-getters compete in a second, runoff, election which is consolidated with the November general election.
Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) allows the majority will of the voters to be determined in a single election. Instead of a voter indicating a single choice, each voter indicates his or her first choice, second choice, and so on, for up to as many choices as there are candidates. If a candidate receives a majority of first choice ballots, the candidate is elected. However, if no candidate receives a majority of first choice ballots, the candidate with the fewest first choice ballots is eliminated from contention, and the second choices of those voters whose first choice was eliminated are then counted as first choices. If a candidate now has a majority of the ballots, that candidate is elected. If not this process is repeated until one candidate achieves a majority of the ballots. IRV eliminates the need for the second, separate, runoff election.
The current Poll Star voting system used in the County cannot accommodate IRV since it is unable to distinguish between voter first and second choices. However, in the future, this system may be replaced by a voting system that can accommodate IRV. This charter measure would enable, but not require, the Board of Supervisors to consider the use of IRV for County elections consolidated with the November general election once suitable technology is available in the County. Procedural issues regarding the implementation of IRV will need to be considered by the Board of Supervisors at the time IRV becomes a feasible option.
ANN MILLER RAVEL, County Counsel
By: SUSAN G. LEVENBERG, Chief Deputy County Counsel