The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 2, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Georgia is the only state which conducts statewide election runoffs for both general AND primary elections when no candidate receives a 50% majority. But runoff elections are time consuming, have low turnout, and cost millions of dollars to run. Ranked choice voting – also known as “instant runoff”– could solve it, BUT the Georgia Senate just voted to ban it.
The runoff in the 2022 U.S. Senate election between Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker cost Georgia an estimated $75 Million dollars to run. On average, turnout in Georgia runoffs is 30% lower than the general election.
State and party officials have discussed doing away with runoffs entirely, and allowing a winner with less than a 50% majority. Just last month, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger implored the legislature to end runoffs, but didn’t offer alternatives.
Maine and Alaska use instant runoff RCV statewide, and other states are considering it in 2024 for its wider choice of candidates and lower cost. Even Georgia allows it for its military and overseas voters, because its four-week runoff cycle doesn’t allow time to return a ballot. But on January 25th, the Georgia Senate voted to ban its use, citing voter confusion and the extra time required. Eighty percent of Alaskans found it very or somewhat easy to use.
The RCV ban has yet to pass the Georgia House. We have an explainer on how RCV works at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
The Conversation – (2022) Georgia runoff elections are exciting, but costly for voters and democracy
Facing South – Georgia officials consider changes to state’s runoff election system
Lt Gov. of Georgia – Lt. Governor Burt Jones Announces Legislation Banning Ranked-choice Voting
Georgia Recorder – State Senate panel presses ahead with bill that would ban ranked choice voting in Georgia
Georgia Secretary of State’s Office – (2023) Secretary Raffensperger Calls on General Assembly to Put Georgia Voters on Santa’s Nice List and End Georgia Runoffs
Georgia Secretary of State’s Office – Use of Instant Runoff for Military and Overseas Voting
WGXA – State Senate committee approves ban on ranked-choice voting
National Conference of State Legislatures – Primary Runoffs
Represent.Us – Ranked Choice Voting, Explained
Groups Taking Action:
Better Ballot Georgia, FairVote, Represent.US
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#Democracy #DemocracyNews #RCV #RankedChoiceVoting #InstantRunoff #RunoffElections #GeorgiaElections