From:
Andy Driscoll
Date:
Jul 01 20:47 UTC
Short link
TRUTH TO TELL
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 Attorney¹s 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.
TTT¹s ANDY DRISCOLL and LYNNELL MICKELSEN talk with several of the
principals in this political and legal debate. It¹s a real dilemma IRV
supporters nevertheless insist is a legal slam dunk. Should be a fascinating
discussion with elected officials, city officials, Better Ballot Campaign
lawyers and supporters and YOU.
GUESTS:
KATHY LANTRY, St. Paul Council President
DAVE THUNE, Ward 2 Councilmember
JOHN CHOI, St. Paul City Attorney
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.
AND YOU: CALL IN and comment/ask a question. 612-341-0980.