Ranked Choice Voting Helps, Hurts Some Bay Area Races

The instant runoff system, also known as ranked-choice voting (RCV), is used by Berkeley voters to elect the Mayor, members of the City Council, and the City Auditor. Oakland elects its Mayor, City Council members, City Attorney, and City Auditor using RCV. San Leandro uses RCV to elect its Mayor and City Council members.


The Bay City News recently covered a federal hearing challenging the system. Six citizens, led by former Sunset District supervisorial candidate Ron Dudum, sued the San Francisco in February. They claim the system is unconstitutional because some voters are denied the ability to have their vote counted in later rounds of ballot counting. A federal judge said at a court hearing today he is inclined to reject a citizens' challenge to San Francisco's instant runoff voting system, but made no final decision.

San Leandro Councilwoman Diana Souza, who had voted for RCV in January, switched her vote, explaining that she needed to further understand the matter. She explained that she was swayed by the audience, which overwhelmingly spoke in support of switching to the new system. But afterward, she felt that the audience had been stacked with "special interests."
Oakland mayoral candidate, Rebecca Kaplan can certainly benefit from this year’s new voting format. In her time on the Oakland City Council, she created alliances with numerous differing groups, which sets her up nicely for a lot of second-place votes in the election. In crowded races, a second-place vote goes a long way.

But according to Dudum, “I don’t think it’s a fair system.” Is it sour grapes or does he have a point?