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.

DNC Rejects the RCV Ban

The DNC voted on Saturday August 15 on their primary calendar (SC is first!). Lumped in with that was a ban on ranked choice voting in the 2028 Democratic Presidential Primary. DNC membership overwhelmingly rejected it, citing how RCV finds the candidates that most people support without a bruising primary. If you'd like to watch, check out the DNC livestream starting at 2 hours and 14 minutes.

Thank you to those of you who took action and helped stop the ban. This will allow states that want to use RCV in their presidential selection to do so. This is a great victory for the movement for more choice and more voice!

There were a lot of resources and statements that surfaced because of this effort. Please find some interesting ones below:

Watch: Party leaders speak on why they want to continue to use RCV

Read: How does ranked choice voting work in Democratic Presidential Primaries?

X: Maryland Democratic US House Member Jamie Raskin speaks out against the ban

Watch: Veterans for All Voters in Opposition to the Ban

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.

Ever wanted to develop RCV memes? We'd love your ideas! Send 'em our way! Let's get creative! This easy to use form has everything you need.

Great events to get plugged in!

Statewide Strategy Call: August 25, 6:30pm. Our monthly meetings 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 open up the floor.

Pack the Park. Join BBSC for Fireflies Baseball: Aug 25, 7:05pm. Pack the Park for Nonprofits is a philanthropic initiative hosted by the Columbia Fireflies at Segra Park with the help of Together SC and Central Carolina Community Foundation, offering a unique fundraising opportunity for nonprofits. $5 from every ticket will benefit Better Ballot SC, but you can also hang out with us if you'd like! We'll be in section 112 starting in row D. We'll also attend the above statewide meeting virtually for half an hour. Register if you intend to come.

Intro to IRV/RCV: August 19, 7pm (held monthly on the 3rd Wednesday). 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.

Letter to the Editor Training: every 4th Tuesday 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: every 2nd Thursday of the month, 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.

Outreach Events: Ready to put those skills to good use? We have several events coming up where you can help spread the word about instant runoff/ranked choice voting. Join us at the Chapin Labor Day Festival on September 7, the Universal Unitarian Fall Festival on September 26, the Blythewood Farmers Market on September 30, and Pawlenciaga Fashion and Dog Show on October 10. 

(https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FRO7TW74oC0)

Plus: "Zombie Votes" shape Michigan and Wisconsin primary elections and 68,000 "Zombie Votes" decide Wisconsin governor primary

Letter: Elections Costly: Post and Courier

New poll shows growing support for proportional representation: Fix Our House

Party Insiders Just Torched the Biggest Excuse Against Open Primaries: Independent Voter News

How to Run a Campaign Under Ranked Choice Voting, According to Those Who Have Done It: Sightline News

Who supports proportional representation? FairVote

Buttigieg: Ending Electoral College, Expanding Supreme Court, Proportional Representation aren't "radical:" Real Clear Politics

Roberta Flack Circle: Hillrag

Municipal Option Bill

The Legislative Session is essentially over (except for the budget). 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,

Executive Director, Better Ballot SC