On Thursday, Senator Kent Eken (DFL- Twin Valley), Senator Lindsey Port (DFL- Burnsville), Senator Mary Kunesh (DFL-New Brighton), Senator Putnam (DFL-Saint Cloud), Senator Johnson Stewart (DFL-Minnetonka), Senator Carlson (DFL-Eagan), Senator McEwen (DFL-Duluth), Senator Clausen (DFL-Apple Valley), and advocates from Fair Vote MN to discuss the need to enact Ranked Choice Voting in federal, state, and local elections. This press conference comes as Senate Republicans continue to work to take away local communities right to enact Rank Choice Voting.
“Instant runoff elections work to better ensure that our elected leaders are chosen by a true majority of voters. In our current process, candidates can win even if a majority of the people voted against them. This is counter to the core principles of democracy, said Senator Eken. “The instant runoff system will ensure that the will of the people prevails.”
“RCV encourages coalition building and positive, issue-based campaigning,” said Senator Port. “It opens the door to grassroots candidates who can build strong community support but may not have as much money as traditional candidates which will help our elected officials to more closely reflect the demographics of our state.”
“Ranked Choice Voting reduces the partisan divide that has plagued our nation for decades,” said Senator Kunesh. “It gives voters more power and choice in our electoral process. This simple and practical concept is the most cost-effective way to ensure that those who win elections are actually supported by the people. Ranked Choice Voting makes voting more aligned with the natural way we chose candidates and makes politics more sensical overall. This is a bipartisan solution that is possible.”
St. Paul, Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Minnetonka, and Bloomington have already enacted Ranked Choice Voting for their local elections. Senate Republicans have introduced legislation to eliminate Ranked Choice Voting in these communities and preempt other cities from doing so as well. Senate DFLers oppose this harmful policy and are committed to expanding Ranked Choice Voting as an option in Minnesota.
Link to press conference: https://fb.watch/4U4OFswhHE/
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