Testimony for Instant Runoff voting

[Your First & Last Name]
Regarding H.4022: Instant Runoff Voting
[Date]

[Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself and the issue you want to testify about]

• Thank the Constitutional Law Subcommittee for holding a hearing about 4022 and for the opportunity to write them.
• Give your first and last name and identify yourself. Ex. “My name is William Johnson and I am a concerned SC resident/SC voter/etc.” If you are a constituent of one of the members of the committee, work that in.
• Tell them what you’re testifying about. Ex. “I am writing in support of H.4022, instant runoff voting."

[Paragraph 2: Make you case]

• Our vetted talking points:
  
  • H.4022 would give municipalities the option to use instant runoff voting. This is more choice for municipalities, not less
  • Municipalities spend thousands of dollars on runoffs that could be better spent. Check out these numbers: Municipal runoff costs. With instant runoff voting, that cost is eliminated.
  • Returning to the polls two weeks later for a runoff is inconvenient for voters and a burden to election officials. Instant runoff voting allows voters to rank their candidates. With that information, an instant runoff can be conducted instead of a traditional runoff. This ensures a majority consensus winner.
• Personal stories are impactful. If you have one related to your argument and are comfortable sharing, use it.
• Instant runoff voting is used by millions of Americans across the United States already. It's even used by our military and absentee overseas voters.
  • Where it's currently in use: RCV Resource Center
    • Utah municipalities have been using it successfully for years
    • VA GOP used it in 2021 to take back the Governor, Lt Governor, and Attorney General for the first time in over a decade

[Paragraph 3: Explain how instant runoff voting would fix this]

• Feel free to use data from our Why IRV page or FairVote's RCV in Practice page

[Paragraph 4: Refute H.4591]

• There is a RCV ban bill being considered at the same time. Please include information on how this bill would be counter to the interests of South Carolinians.
  • Also, as instant runoff voting is already not permitted under South Carolina law (hence the introduction of H.4022), this bill is unnecessary and takes up the valuable time of our legislators

[Paragraph 5: Thank the subcommittee members]

• Thank the sub committee members for reading your testimony.
• Tell them you hope they consider your testimony. Ex. “Your consideration of improving the South Carolina voting experience with instant runoff voting is very much appreciated.”