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.

Primary Season has Begun!

Filing closed last week and my feed is full of ads, how about you?

The primaries are all about picking the candidates who will run in November. Some of the people who filed have no competition within their party. Those people are now the nominees for their party and will go on to compete in November. 

Then there are the people who have a challenger on their side of the aisle. Those contests will be decided on June 9th, or possibly on June 23rd, runoff day. When an election has 3 or more candidates, there is a chance that there will be a runoff. A runoff happens when someone doesn't get a majority of votes (50% of votes +1 vote). The more candidates, the greater the chance of a runoff.

There are 22 races that could go to a runoff: Governor, Senate, Treasurer, Congressional District 1, 2, and 4, Commissioner of Agriculture, the Attorney General, and several State House races. Whew. It's going to be a crazy primary season. Follow us on social media as we cover these races and talk about how the runoffs are unnecessary with instant runoff voting. Plus, there are lots of other benefits like decreasing polarization, increasing voter turnout, and decreasing mudslinging.

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, TikTok, and YouTube.

Are you interested in contributing to our social media presence? We'd love to hear from you! A video about your favorite things about IRV? 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!

Tabling at Second Chance Day: April 15, 9:30am. We'll be registering voters and talking to them about how their votes could be more impactful. 

Intro to IRV/RCV: April 15, 7pm. 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.

Statewide Strategy Call: April 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.

Join our finance committee!

Better Ballot SC is expanding our finance committee! Join us to discuss ways to fund BBSC so that we can continue the good work to improve the way that our state votes. We are an all volunteer organization, but we still have bills. Experience writing grants a bonus, but no experience is required. Just send us an email with your interest.

(https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/election/article315253860.html)

Plus: Watch: RCV is coming to DC: Opportunity DC

County Board extends ranked-choice voting but declines to make it permanent: ARLnow

Designing Democracy for Women: Lessons From RepresentWomen's 2026 Solutions Summit: Ms. Magazine

Addressing Our K-Shaped Democracy: The Fulcrum

Cast a ballot and wait for the plane. In Alaska, a grace period for ballots is seen as necessary: AP

'No Kings' protesters at SC State House on Saturday aim for biggest crowd yet: The State

Listen: The Illusion of Choice: Inside the Closed Loop with John Goodwin: We Need a Revolution

Stop Fighting, Start Fixing: This is How We Rebuild Democracy: Democracy SOS

The Primary problem No One Talks About: Expand Democracy

Watch: Libby Schaaf, Mayor of Oakland, on RCV: FairVote

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