[EL] RCV in Minneapolis/clearing up misconceptions

[Schultz, David A.]

Happy summer all:

Recently a few blogs and posts have commented on the use of Ranked Choice
Voting in Minneapolis, especially during the 2009 election, and made
reference to my study.  Let me offer just a few thoughts and to dispel some
falsehoods here.

 I was contacted by Pat O’Connor, then acting elections commissioner, to
evaluate  implementation of RCV.  One of my graduates students and I were
given full access to any documents and city officials and others involved
with election administration needed in the preparation of the report.  The
report “Evaluating Ranked Choice Voting in the 2009 Minneapolis Elections:
A report for the Minneapolis Elections Department,” was completed in June
2010.

In my final report I concluded that it was too soon to tell whether the use
of RCV in Minneapolis would transform city politics.

More importantly, while the report did note a spoke in spoiled ballots and
an appearance in voter errors, there is no evidence that the use of RCV
disenfranchised anyone.  In total, there was only one ballot in the entire
election not counted and that was for reasons not associated with RCV.  The
report noted a spatial-geographic distribution regarding where spoiled
ballots and those with voter errors occurred, but after intense review and
study, we concluded that there was no evidence that would rise to the level
of Equal Protection concerns.  We suggested that the City examine the
spoiled ballots and voter error issue more fully, but the report also
suggested that better voter education would be able to address these
problems.

Overall, I caution both supporters and opponents of RCV that generalizing
from one election in Minneapolis regarding its efficacy is foolish.
Second, I urge anyone who wishes to invoke my study to read it carefully.
There is a difference between advocacy and serious policy analysis and that
too should be remembered, especially on this listserv.
-- 
David Schultz, Professor
Editor, Journal of Public Affairs Education (JPAE)
Hamline University
School of Business
570 Asbury Street
Suite 308
St. Paul, Minnesota 55104
651.523.2858 (voice)
651.523.3098 (fax)
http://davidschultz.efoliomn.com/
http://works.bepress.com/david_schultz/
http://schultzstake.blogspot.com/
Twitter:  @ProfDSchultz
FacultyRow SuperProfessor, 2012, 2013
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