My, my, what a wonderful thing we have in St. Paul!  Ranked-choice voting a hold on—a Success?  If a “success” means a system that favors the re-election of the incumbency, then ranked-choice is it!

Unfortunately, this writer lives in Ward 2, where the 2011 city election was not a success.  The incumbent trailed the votes of his two major challengers, but no one had a majority, so I believe the count went on to four ranks before the incumbent edged up and won.  Had there been a primary, there was a chance that the incumbent could have been defeated and at least, you had a real choice between two candidates.

Now, if we really want to make it simple, just have Choice 1—let the Mayor pick the council members.

Question:  Who is paying for the lobbyists, and the literature promoting this ranked system?

And please let us know what politicians would put in a voting method that could diminish their re-election chances.

Bob Smith, 3rd
www.GopherStatePolitics.com
St. Paul, MN