Instant Run-off Voting (or IRV), also called "ranked choice voting", is a means of running an election that avoids the costs of a primary but ensures that the winner has the support of the majority of voters. It is already in use in a number of cities and towns across the nation, typically in single seat races. It is seen as a means of saving money (by eliminating the need for a primary election) and making sure that every vote counts.
The voter is presented with a ballot and has the option of ranking the candidates in order of preference. When the votes are tabulated, if any candidate has more than 50% of the vote they win the election. If no candidate has a clear majority, then the candidate with the fewest votes is "eliminated", and votes cast for that candidate are transferred to the voters' second choices. This process is continued until one candidate has a clear majority.
IRV is typically done with a reasonable number of candidates, but we here at mainstreetoshkosh.com just couldn't limit your choices so early! So we have created an Instant Run-off Voting election to hypothetically fill the "Seventh Seat" on the Oshkosh Common Council that includes almost two dozen candidates. We picked these candidates from comments left on a previous post, and by no means has any of these individuals expressed any interest in seeking the dreaded "Seventh Seat". We have put together a mix of former candidates, former Mayors & Councilors, and other colorful characters for you to vote for.
But the best part is you get to rank them from 1 to whatever! In the first round, your vote counts toward your first choice. Until one candidate has a majority of the votes, the lowest vote getter is eliminated and their vote transferred to your next choice that is still in the running. This continues until one candidate has a majority of votes cast.
Click on the link below, and then rank the candidates in the order of who you would most prefer be appointed to the seventh seat on the Common Council. Hint: use the arrows to click on your first choice first, then second choice, etc, and then modify your ballot as you change your mind. Click on "Vote" when you are satisfied with your ballot. Then "Confirm" your ballot by clicking "confirm". The next screen will show you your ballot, then below tell you who your ballot actually counted for, and then give you options to see how your vote counted, or see the results so far.
After casting your ballot, I would recommend clicking on "See the results so far" which will then show you the distribution of votes in the first round, which candidate was "eliminated", and to whom their vote(s) were re-allocated to. Clicking on "Next Round" will then progress you through each round of voting, where votes are instantly re-allocated to the next best choice as candidates are eliminated for having the fewest votes.
Please don't over react and spaz out about this - it is just for fun! Try it out, cast a vote, heck - do it a few times if you want (the program makes you wait a while before you can cast another ballot). And make a statement about the direction you want the Common Council to go in while you have fun learning about IRV!
We've included the following candidates:
Melanie Bloechl, Michael Burayidi, Christie Charbonneau-Wells, Bob Cornell, Warren Craft, Steve Cummings, John Daggett, Ron Hardy, Cheryl Hentz, John Hinz, Megan Hoopman, Alex Hummel, Joe Jungworth, Lois Lipke, Mark Madison, Kevin McGee, Ron Montgomery, Brian Poeschl, Meredith Scheuermann, Jim Simmons, Frank Tower, Gregg Underheim, Amy Weinshiem, and Dick Wollangk.
If you would suggest a different candidate than those listed, mention her/him in the comments and we might add them to the poll.
15 comments:
When is the last day to vote?
Good question!
It ends on May 1, so you can vote up through April 30.
Your candidates are heavy on the establishment side. You need more white trash to better reflect the city make-up.
Will the city be posting names of applicants as they are received?
If not, this should be shared on the website and at city hall. The public should still have an opportunity to review and comment, even if their opinions aren't binding like an actual vote.
This is just good public relations. If the city is already doing this, awesome, and great job.
How about including Mike Norton,Jef Hall, or Brian Bain as possible candidates ??
Norton wasn't included based on his poor performance when he ran a few years back. There are 15 other past candidates that were also left out.
Bain would have been strange - quit an elected position only to apply to be appointed.
Hall... well.. he was probably left out because he hasn't really been a local politics player. Does he want to be?
This is awesome, we should totally use this!
I think you forgot Carol Owens.
zzzzzzzzzzzzz.zzzzzzzz.zzzzzz
(kidding)
How about adding Maureen Strauss--
serious this time.
Great idea!
I added:
Maureen Strauss
Jef Hall
Mike Norton
based on comments. I didn't add Bryan Bain because he chose not to seek re-election. I didn't add Carol Owens because she doesn't live in Oshkosh.
"I didn't add Carol Owens because she doesn't live in Oshkosh."
Oh sure. Now we're getting technical. ;o)
It was a better answer than the others that popped into my mind...
Start giving Maureen Strauss some votes!
April 28 update:
Michael Burayidi coming out of no where and currently in 3rd
Ron Hardy has stopped voting for himself and has slipped down a few slots
Hummel holds onto his top spot, and is proving a tough challenger to knock down
The duo of Blechl and Hentz are still showing a strong performance
We're seeing that 1 or 2 votes can really mix things up based on who gets knocked off first.
~ jut
You guys need to bump this post back up to the top on Main Street.
Gotta go.....and vote again.
it is linked on the top right of the page - can't really miss it.
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