Welcome to the Better Ballot Bulletin. Here you will find important updates in the world of instant runoff voting and events to attend that help spread the word of IRV/RCV in SC.

IRV Presidential Primary Polls

Columbia News19 Segment

We're half way through our first month of our Republican Primary and Democratic Primary Polls! 

Our winners so far:

Nikki Haley

Marianne Williamson

Share, SHARE, SHARE these polls! The more South Carolinians who vote in them the better! The polls will close at the end of August and we'll be launching a new one every month until the primaries are over.

This is a fantastic way to educate our fellow South Carolinians about instant runoff voting (aka ranked choice voting). Share, SHARE, SHARE!!!

Plus, you can still Rank Your Sauce

News in Instant Runoff Voting

Commentary: Ranked-choice primary would increase odds of Haley or Scott win: Post and Courier

Editorial: When fewer candidates actually gives voters a clearer choice: Post and Courier

Sen Lisa Murkowski: Alaska's Final Four System Gives Voters Real Choice: Independent Voter Network

Ranked Choice Voting May Help Conservatives: The John Fredericks Show

New National Deliberative Poll Shows Bipartisan Support for Polarizing Issues Affecting American Democracy: Stanford University

Other News

Commentary: SC special-election rules increase burnout, cost. Here's an easy fix: Post and Courier

Better Ballot SC Events

Pitch Training: Election Edition, Aug 29: There's a special election in North Charleston and it's a great way to find IRV supporters. Learn how to talk about this election at the canvass or with your neighbors.

Canvassing at the Polls with BBSC, Sept 5: With three Democratic candidates, we'll likely have a runoff! Talk this up with voters as they exit the polls.

Future Events to Get Excited About

IRV Lunch and Learn: Sept 26. Join President of Better Ballot SC Nicole Sanchez & Head of the Greenville County Elections Office Conway Belangia at the September 26th Lunch and Learn. These sessions are free and open to the public as a part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Furman University. Herring Center for Lifelong Learning.

Quarterly Board Meeting: Oct 19, 6pm. Join us at our quarterly board meeting where we'll discuss regular business. If you would like to contribute, please email us at [email protected].

Statewide Strategy Call: Oct 25, 7pm. Join us to recap the quarter and discuss the future. We have lots coming up. RSVP today. We're going *hybrid* again! Location TBD

Looking to get involved before then? Contact us at [email protected]

Want to be more connected? Join our Slack channel!

H.4022

Introduced by Representatives Neal Collins (R-5) and Dr Jermaine Johnson (D-70)

This bill will give municipalities the option of using instant runoff voting in elections. The regular 2023 legislative is over, but that does NOT mean the effort is. We will be doubling our efforts to find more supporters. We need to gather more support so that we can push it even further next session!

Summer Campaign

Cosponsors

We are actively looking for cosponsors for this municipal option bill. The best way to do this is to sit down with legislatures and have a conversation with them about the benefits of IRV.

We know that talking to our legislators can be intimidating. If you would like to meet with your elected officials or have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]. We can provide support and guidance.

Municipal Resolutions of Support

We have the support of the Municipal Association of South Carolina, but we want individual municipalities to show their support of this great electoral reform.

When the elected officials who will be most affected by this new option are supportive, it will go a long way to show the legislature that this should be passed.

Business Support

The South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce has joined our coalition in support of instant runoff voting/ranked choice voting.

They are actively looking for businesses to sign on and show their support. If you are a business owner or know one, please sign the petition.

Are you looking for a flyer to hang up at your local community board? Or maybe something to handout to people? Check out our Printables!

We have an easy way to get involved! Sign our petition! Show your support of instant runoff voting by signing and sharing. Remember to share it to your social media!

Did you know that there are Better Ballot SC Facebook groups for your county? Join yours today to help build the movement in your backyard

If you like what you've read here and would like us to continue our efforts, please donate. We're building momentum here in South Carolina. Help us continue to educate our fellow South Carolinians.

Consider making a monthly contribution. It helps us to better strategize our long term goals.

Thank you for reading,

Nicole Sanchez

President, BetterBallotSC
https://www.betterballotsc.org/