Better Ballot Bulletin: October 1, 2023

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.

September Poll Results

This month Haley maintained her top spot but Biden surpassed Williamson

IRV Presidential Primary Polls

Get your votes in now to vote for your favorite candidates!

October Republican Primary Poll

October Democratic Primary Poll

Share, SHARE, SHARE these polls! The more South Carolinians who vote in them the better! These polls will close at the end of September 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!!!

News in Instant Runoff Voting

Multiple Utah Cities set to use instant runoff voting in next election: Public News Service

Ranked Choice Voting Solves the Dropout Problem in Lehi, Utah: FairVote

Do Third Parties Have a Place in the 2024 Presidential Election? Divided We Fall

Could Republican Primaries Benefit From Ranked Choice Voting? FairVote Action

Other Democracy News

Political theorist promotes "Our Common Purpose" plan to reinvent American Democracy: PBS Newshour

Better Ballot SC Events

Canvassing at SC PrideFest: Oct 15, 11am. Join us for canvassing at South Carolina PrideFest in Columbia. We'll bring the clipboards and pens, you bring the enthusiasm and smiles! We'll be speaking to festival attendees about the benefits of instant runoff voting (also known as ranked choice voting). Scripts will be provided.

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

Have you heard what's happening in Charleston and N. Charleston?

The Charleston mayoral election has 6 candidates and will likely go to a runoff. The North Charleston mayoral election has 10 candidates and the winner will almost certainly have significantly less than 50% of the vote.

This is a great opportunity to talk up instant runoff voting and we're mobilizing. Stay tuned for more interesting events around these elections. If you would like to learn more, email 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!

We are looking for:

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.

Business 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!

Sign the Petition

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.

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