Legislative Action
H.4022
Introduced by Neal Collins (R-5) and Dr. Jermaine Johnson (D-70)
The current goal is to get this bill a hearing before the Judiciary Committee.
To do this, we need you to contact the leaders of the Judiciary Committee:
Committee Chair
Representative Wm. Weston J. Newton (R-120)
Phone: (803) 734-3120
First Vice Chair
Representative Wallace H. "Jay" Jordan, Jr (R-63)
Phone: (803) 734-3114
Second Vice Chair
Representative John Richard C. King (D-49)
Phone: (803) 212-6873
When contacting, please include this message:
"
Thank you for taking the time to review my request today. I am a part of a coalition of 12 organizations representing thousands of South Carolinians. Runoff elections are costly and under attended. There is a bipartisan bill that has been introduced to the House (H.4022) that would give the option to municipalities to implement a better process to run their elections. Instant runoff voting would streamline the runoff system and it’s already how uniformed and overseas South Carolinians can vote (Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voters Act). I am requesting that you give H.4022 a hearing.
Not only would results be determined sooner, but it would improve our elections. It would protect against vote splitting by allowing voters to support all candidates who align with their views. This would also allow parties to build their bench without fear of splitting the vote. This would also minimize strategic voting and allow voters to express their will without compromising their values.
It would also curb negative campaigning, allowing legislators/candidates to focus on their policies rather than on defense. This would help grow your base by bringing more people together over the issues.
It would also give winners a more secure mandate to govern since majority support is determined from a larger pool of voters than a traditional runoff. When more voters are satisfied with the winner, there’s more confidence in elections.
For all of the above reasons and more, please give H.4022 a hearing.
Thank you again for your time
"
We encourage you to include any personal stories that emphasize the need for instant runoff voting in municipalities.
If you would like to call, here is a sample message:
"
My name is _____ and I would like you to give H.4022 a hearing. I am a part of a coalition of 12 organizations representing thousands of South Carolinians. Giving municipalities the option to use instant runoff voting in their elections will benefit both the voters and the government. It will save time and money. It minimizes strategic voting and allows voters to express their will without compromising their values. It also protects against vote splitting by allowing voters to support all candidates who align with their views, and because of that, allows parties to build their bench. Additionally, it discourages negative campaigning, allowing candidates to focus on policy and not defense. Finally, it’s how our overseas absentee voters can vote. All South Carolinians should have this option for their municipalities.
For all of these reasons and more, please give H.4022 a hearing.
"
If you would like to also contact your own legislator (click here to find out who that is and for contact information):
Message:
"
As one of your constituents who supports instant runoff voting, I urge you to support H.4022. I am a part of a coalition of 12 organizations representing thousands of South Carolinians. Runoff elections are costly and under attended. There is a bipartisan bill that has been introduced to the House (H.4022) that would give the option to municipalities to implement a better process to run their elections. Instant runoff voting would streamline the runoff system and it’s already how uniformed and overseas South Carolinians can vote (Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voters Act).
Not only would results be determined sooner, but it would improve our elections. It would protect against vote splitting by allowing voters to support all candidates who align with their views. This would also allow parties to build their bench without fear of splitting the vote. This would also minimize strategic voting and allow voters to express their will without compromising their values.
It would also curb negative campaigning, allowing legislators/candidates to focus on their policies rather than on defense. This would help grow your base by bringing more people together over the issues.
It would also give winners a more secure mandate to govern since majority support is determined from a larger pool of voters than a traditional runoff. When more voters are satisfied with the winner, there’s more confidence in elections.
"
Phone:
"
My name is _____ and as one of your constituents, I would like you to give H.4022 a hearing. Giving municipalities the option to use instant runoff voting in their elections will benefit both the voters and the government. It will save time and money. It’s already an option for our overseas absentee voters. All South Carolinians should have this option for their municipalities.
It minimizes strategic voting and allows voters to express their will without compromising their values. It also protects against vote splitting by allowing voters to support all candidates who align with their views, and because of that, allows parties to build their bench. Additionally, it discourages negative campaigning, allowing candidates to focus on policy and not defense. For all of these reasons and more, please give H.4022 a hearing.
"
