A smarter way to vote

Long Beach council wisely is taking a look at instant-runoff system. Looking forward to the fourth election in less than a year? Surely not, unless your name's on the ballot.

[Niki Tennant]

The City Council's next Elections Oversight Committee is scheduled for July 22nd at 1 pm. Anyone who is interested in learning more about this proposal or would like to make a public comment, is encouraged to attend.

[June]

Thanks you so much for your editorial supporting instant run-off voting. They only thing I can add is that San Franciscan's also discovered that IRV makes for a more polite election as well. Since candidates are looking for second place votes as well as first it also discourages negative campaigning.

It is very appropriate to be talking about this issue now while Republicans are already pointing fingers at Bob Barr for being a McCain spoiler. Which reminds me, why do so few Republicans in CA support IRV? The only ones I can think of are Tom McClintock and Ton Campbell. If Republicans truly are worried about spoilers they should be jumping aboard the IRV bandwagon right now because, as you pointed out, that problem completely disappears with IRV.

[Bob Richard]

Add former L.A. mayor Richard Riordan to June's list of Republicans. And the Chamber of Commerce is also on board in Los Angeles -- right along side the labor federation.

Thanks to the Press Telegram for this very well done editorial.

[Leon0112]

Good for Long Beach.

Adopting IRV in Long Beach would help with voter fatigue and several other issues as you mention.

In Pierce County, Washington (county seat:Tacoma), we have eliminated the primary for county level elections. All candidates go directly to the general election ballot. Voters get the opportunity to list their first, second and third choices.

2008 promises to have some of the most competitive elections in Pierce County we have had in decades. We hope that Long Beach joins us in this improvement in democracy.