All posts in the topic TRUTH TO TELL Weds 11AM KFAI: INSTANT RUNOFFS AND THE CITIES: Constitutional? (Short link)

Jul 01 01:41 UTC

WEDNESDAY, JULY 2  11:00AM: INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING AND THE CITIES:
Horns of a State Constitutional Dilemma

KFAI Radio, 90.3 Minneapolis /106.7 St. Paul / <email obscured>
A CivicMedia/Minnesota production

The St. Paul City Council finds itself in a pickle with proponents of
Instant Runoff Voting  better known as the Better Ballot Campaign  having
filed the necessary 5,000-plus signatures to present the prospect of
installing a system of Ranked Choice Voting for general elections (and
eliminating the city primary) before St. Paul voters in November - only to
be faced with their own City Attorneys opinion
("http://www.stpaul.gov/DocumentView.asp?DID=5214") that the entire idea may
be unconstitutional based on a 1915 Supreme Court ruling striking down a
similar voting scheme.
But is that enough to keep the question away from voters?

Minneapolis has already passed it but is in court over IRVs 2009
implementation.

What will/can/should the Council do? Heed the City Attorneys opinion that
it should not go on the ballot on Constitutional grounds? Or ignore him and
heed the will of the voters who signed the petition to place the city
charter amendment before the people this November? Either way, it is sure to
go to a courtroom.

TTTs ANDY DRISCOLL and LYNNELL MICKELSEN talk with as many of the
principals in this political and legal debate as are willing to appear. And
make fun of those who dont. Seriously, its a real dilemma IRV supporters
nevertheless insist is a legal slam dunk. Should be a fascinating discussion
with Better Ballot Campaign lawyers, supporters and city officials.

GUESTS:

 JAY BENANAV, Better Ballot Campaign attorney and former St. Paul City
Councilmember

 JOHN HOTTINGER, attorney and former State Senate Majority Leader

 ELLEN BROWN, St. Paul Better Ballot Campaign Coordinator, and President,
The Brown Partners, Inc.

 INVITED: Council President KATHY LANTRY, St. Paul City Attorney JOHN CHOI

 AND YOU: CALL IN and comment/ask a question. 612-341-0980.

A CivicMedia/Minnesota production
Creating Communications & Public Policy Content for Public Engagement
835 Linwood Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105

All posts in the topic TRUTH TO TELL Weds 11AM KFAI: INSTANT RUNOFFS AND THE CITIES: Constitutional? (Short link)

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