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4. Senator-Elect Liz Krueger and Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh

Senator-Elect Liz Krueger and Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh

 

We are honoring New York state legislators Liz Krueger and Brian Kavanagh as Democracy Champions for their leadership as state reformers. Both have shown steadfast commitment to supporting and elevating ranked choice voting (“instant runoff voting”), along with other FairVote-backed plans like the National Popular Vote and voter pre-registration for teenagers. Their continued work to pass ranked choice voting and commitment fair elections to New York will increase voter turnout, increase campaign civility, reduce the influence of money in politics and give voters a stronger voice and more powerful vote.

Ranked choice voting makes sense in many New York elections, but most obviously for what Sen. Krueger and Assemblyman Kavanagh have supported in the state legislature: replacing New York City’s costly, low-turnout primary runoffs with an efficient “instant runoff.” Sen. Krueger’s legislation has twice passed the state senate, but despite her and Assemb. Kavanagh’s efforts, not passed the assembly. Looking ahead to New York City’s expected open seat elections for Mayor, Public Advocate and Comptroller, it makes great sense for the city to finally to act. Below is important coverage

• 2017: New York City Using Ranked Choice Voting to Choose New “I Voted” Sticker

                   (NYC Campaign Finance Board contest uses online RCV ballot)

• 2016:  New York City Includes RCV in State Legislative Agenda
           (Formal support by city council)

• 2016: NYC Comptroller Calls for Electoral Reform, Includes Instant Runoff Voting
           (Scott Stringer support)

• 2016: State Senate Bill S4586A
          (Bill on RCV for New York city passes state senate)

• 2013: Proposal for New York: Instant Runoff Voting
          (Citizens Union letter to New York Times)

• 2013:  Post-Election Report - New York City Campaign Finance Board
          (Campaign Finance Board recommends instant runoff voting)

• 2013: High Cost Runoff For Public Advocate’s Post Prompts Call for Reform
          (New York Times story features quotes from Kavanagh, Citizens Union)

• 2013: City Council Tries For Runoff Reform In Final Stretch
          (Gotham Gazette features quotes from Common Cause, Kavanagh)

• 2010: Instant Runoff in New York?
          (Article on state senate passage of Sen. Krueger legislation passing senate)

• 2010: Instant Runoff Voting is Under Review
          (Wall Street Journal on charter commission staff report recommending RCV /
           final report suggested it as well)

• 2008: Roadmap to Ranked Choice Voting in New York
          (FairVote report)