Better Ballot Bulletin: July 1, 2024

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.

Runoff Round Up

63% of possible legislative races that could have gone to a runoff did. The trends remain the same. Voter participation dropped (by up to 58% in Republican Senate 26 and 46% in Republican Senate 12) and it cost too much money. We're still waiting on how much this cost counties this time around, but as an example, in 2022, Greenville spent a total of $111, 068 with $65,911 being reimbursed by the state (but that's still tax payer money).

Here are the results of the SC Congressional and Legislative runoffs:

Race

   

Winner

CD 3: R

Mark Burns

Sheri Biggs

Sheri Biggs

State Senate 6: R

Jason Elliott

Ben Carper

Jason Elliott

State Senate 10: R

Billy Garrett

Charles Bumgardner

Billy Garrett

State Senate 12: R

Lee Bright

Roger Allen Nutt

Roger Allen nutt

State Senate 22: D

Ivory Thigpen

Overture Walker

Overture Walker

State Senate 23: R

Katrina Shealy

Carlisle Kennedy

Carlisle Kennedy

State Senate 26: R

Chris Smith

Jason Guerry

Jason Guerry

State Senate 35: D

Jeffery Graham

Austin Floyd

Jeffery Graham

State Senate 35: R

Mike Jones

Lindsay Agostini

Mike Jones

State House 9: R

Blake Sanders

James Galyean

Blake Sanders

State House 28: R

Chris Huff

Kerri J Smith

Chris Huff

State House 34: R

Sarita Edgerton

JoAnne LaBounty

Sarita Edgerton

State House 93: D

Jerry Govan

Johnny Felder

Jerry Govan

Great events to get plugged in!

Letter to the Editor Training: July 1, 8pm. Join other IRV enthusiasts in crafting letters for your local newsletters. Best practices and strategies will be discussed. All questions answered. By dedicating focused time to writing LTEs on a regular basis, you can help boost the IRV signal in your community and across the country.

Canvassing at the Soda City Market: July 13, 10am. Join us for canvassing at the Soda City Market in Columbia. We'll bring the clipboard and pens, you bring the enthusiasm and smiles! In addition to talking to future supporters.

IRV Pitch Training: Thursdays at 8pm. Learn how to pitch Instant Runoff Voting when canvassing on the street or at an event from a Rank the Vote National Organizer! We'll talk about best practices, and have opportunities for you to practice in a friendly environment. All questions welcome.

Statewide Strategy Call: July 23, 7pm. Our monthly meeting are the 4th Tuesday of the month! Join us to recap the month and discuss the future, locally. Join us in Columbia, Charleston, or virtually. Everyone will meet on the call and have a quick recap of what the state of the movement in South Carolina is and then we'll break into local groups.

(https://www.gazetteleader.com/arlington/news/how-ranked-choice-vote-went-down-round-by-round-in-arlington-9126183)

Plus:

They loved it!

Exit Poll: 88% of Arlington Voters Say Ranked Choice Voting is Easy, 67% Would Like to Use It in Future Elections: FairVote

Want to be more connected? Join our Slack channel!

 

A move to instant runoff voting would reduce costs and end state's 'archaic' system: The State

Spoiler alert: It's time for ranked choice voting for presidential elections: Democracy SOS

Georgia had runoffs too! Democracy Digest: It's Runoff Election Day: Atlantic Civic Circle

We want to hear from you!

Please fill out this quick demographic survey. It will help us in our grant seeking efforts.

 

Municipal Option Bill

To be introduced again 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 2024 legislative is over, but that does NOT mean the effort is. The bill will be reintroduced and 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.

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!

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, {{broadcaster.name}}
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