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.

Redistricting Update

Yesterday the SC House adjourned after nearly 10 hours of debate. Hundreds of amendments were introduced and some were debated. One by Representative Hamilton Grant was to increase transparency around the process. We learned that as of Monday morning, over 10,000 absentee ballots had been mailed out and over 1,000 had already been returned. In this state, you can't just request an absentee ballot all willy nilly. These are people with legitimate excuses for why the cannot come to the polls, including serving in our military, seniors, and those too ill to make it to the polls.

Representative Nathan Ballentine also introduced an amendment to keep his (and my) community whole. The new maps sever the Irmo, Chapin, Ballentine area into two different districts. It also had the benefit of fixing some split areas in the northern parts of our state as well. When drawing maps, communities are supposed to be kept together.

Both of these amendments were defeated, along with several others.

Then Republicans changed the rules in the middle of the debate. The rules committee met and voted on new rules. Only one amendment per representative can now be introduced (basically eliminating hundreds of amendments) and debate is limited to three minutes, stifling voices. Once again, we're seeing a monthslong process condensed into a short period of time. Democracy takes time to get it right.

This process lacks the time necessary for deliberative thought. Without it, voters will suffer.

Updates on redistricting from the SC Daily Gazette and the Post and Courier.

We need your vote

Early voting starts one week from today. Please vote early and get your voice in for the primary. One of the actions we can take to combat redistricting is voting early. The more people who vote, the harder it is for them to decouple the election and cancel votes for Congress.

But we want you to participate in something a little more fun too. We're revamping our logo! Please vote in this quick ranked choice voting poll to help us determine what our logo will look like! Scroll down on the page to see the full size options. We'll announce the winner in our next Bulletin.

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 the SCDP Convention: May 30, 7:30am. This is a fantastic opportunity to talk to people who have the power to change things in our state. Plus, delegates will be voting on a resolution related to RCV. 

Intro to IRV/RCV: May 20, 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: May 26, 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.

Tabling at the Abbeville/Laurens Stump: May 31, 2pm. Join us to talk to politically minded people about the benefits of instant runoff/ranked choice voting in a new area.

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://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/5864273-proportional-representation-democracy/)

Plus: How Ranked Choice Voting is Impacting the Maine Primary: FairVote

From Peltola to Begich, Ranked Choice Voting Delivered What Alaskans Wanted: Sightline

Our Elections are Broken: The New York Times

Maryland Passes First State Law including Ranked Choice Voting: FairVote

Listen: Democracy 2.0, with Lee Drutman: Strength in Numbers Deep Dive

Mixed-Member Proportional Representation and the House of Representatives: New America

We Aren't Paying Enough Attention to What the SCOTUS VRA Decision Means for State Legislatures: TPM

Redistricting without Partisanship: Christian Science Monitor

Berwyn Heights Votes to Explore Ranked Choice Voting: FairVote

Municipal Option Bill

The Legislative Session is essentially over (except for the budget and redistricting). This bill is expected to be reintroduced next session. It would give municipalities more choice and more voice in their elections.

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

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