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.

A quick programing note: This newsletter has traditionally arrived on the 1st and 15th of each month. Moving forward, it will arrive on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. Thanks for reading!

What does instant runoff voting do?

Here we talk a lot about instant runoff voting. It's kind of our thing. But why? Today we continue our series on the benefits of instant runoff/ranked choice voting, continuing with ensures majority winners. Looking for news and events? Scroll down. They're still here.

IRV/RCV Ensures Majority Winners

Last Bulletin we talked about saving taxpayers time and money by eliminating runoffs. We talked about how runoffs are the current option for ensuring majority support, but do they actually produce a winner that the majority of voters prefer?

Sure, the winner of the runoff receives a majority of votes from those who come to vote in the runoff, but is that representative of the population? Voter participation usually drops by about half in a runoff.

That isn't majority rule. It's rule by those who have the time and energy to show up for an election twice. Instead we propose the best of both worlds.

Say goodbye to the nonmajority winners produced by plurality voting and the costly, low attended runoffs. Say hello to instant runoff voting. By ranking your candidates when you cast your ballot the first time, we can have an "instant runoff" that ensures majority support with more input from voters. Plus, we won't have to wait two weeks!

We need instant runoff/ranked choice voting now. Donate today to help make this necessary change in our elections.

Social Media!

Do you follow us on your favorite platform? Please do! And remember to like, comment, and share. Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, Blue Sky, and TikTok

Are you interested in contributing to our social media presence? We'd love to hear from you! Funny or poignant memes? Let's see 'em! Something graphics-focused on a relevant news item? Send 'em our way! Let's get creative! This easy to use form has everything you need.

Great events to get plugged in!

Intro to IRV/RCV: October 15, 7pm. TONIGHT! Whether you're new to the instant runoff voting movement or you've been around since the beginning, join us to pick up new knowledge. Plus, you can learn the basics of outreach including best practices for the elevator pitch, social media interactions, and letter to the editors.

No Kings, South Carolina Unites: October 18, 1:30pm. This is a great opportunity to spread the word to politically active people. Join fellow supporters in showing future supporters how they can have greater voice in how our government functions.

Majority Rules Screening: October 17, 6:30pm. Check out the true story of how changing the way we vote changes everything. Join us at the UUCC for the viewing followed by a Q&A.

Statewide Strategy Call: October 28, 6:30pm. 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.

Letter to the Editor Training: every 1st Monday of the month, 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.

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.

The Importance of an Executive Director

Better Ballot SC is an all volunteer organization that has worked to educate and advocate, but to be more effective, to effect real change in our communities, we need to take our next big step, and we need your help to do it.

This leader will drive our outreach, expand our coalition, and push IRV over the finish line in the Statehouse. The truth is, without this dedicated leadership, our progress could stall and South Carolina can’t afford to wait.

Your donation today to will help make this imperative step a reality. Please consider a recurring donation so that we can better budget for the future.

(https://www.thestate.com/opinion/article312358989.html)

Plus: Andrew Yang launches mobile network to combat phone addiction, talks shutdown, 2028 Dem primary: ABC7 News

Expanding Representation: Reinventing Congress for the 21st Century: American Academy of Arts & Sciences

Empirical Analysis of Ranked Choice Voting Method: Institute for Mathematics and Democracy

The 2025 Elections Using Ranked Choice Voting: FairVote

Fun uses of IRV: Donuts in Colorado, 'I Voted" Sticker in New Mexico, and Pizza in Chicago

H.3589 Municipal Option Bill

This bill will give municipalities the option of using instant runoff voting in elections. Last session we got a hearing, this year we want to go even further, but we need your help.

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.

Postcards

We'll be hand delivering postcards from constituents. Do you want your legislator to know you support IRV or have a group of friends who would like to submit them? Great! Let us know and we'll send them to you.

Municipal Resolutions

Municipalities are directly impacted by our bill, which would give towns and cities the option of using instant runoff voting. We want to show the legislature that this is something that they want. Municipalities can do this by passing resolutions in support of IRV. To learn how, please fill out this interest form.

Speaking Opportunities

When people hear about instant runoff voting, they like it. If you are a part of a group that hosts speakers, please consider a Better Ballot SC speaker. We'd love to spread the word among your network.

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, Better Ballot SC