Why 50% Matters
Under the 40% voting rule being proposed by Ballot Question #5, a candidate could be elected with as little as 40% of the vote, meaning a candidate could win even if 60% of the voters agreed he or she was the worst choice. This violates the fundamental principle of majority rule.
Requiring candidates to earn a majority of more than 50% is essential for holding our mayor accountable. If Question Five passes, an incumbent could win despite 60% of voters wanting change change. “Spoilers” would return to our politics. Just think of the 2000 election where Gore and Nader split the majority vote, allowing Bush to win the White House with less than 48%.
By voting NO on Question Five, we also avoid expensive, low turnout runoffs for mayor. In 2009, delayed runoff in a city council race had turnout drop nearly in half — and the candidates with more campaign money get a big edge. That’s why leaders as diverse as Barack Obama, John McCain, Howard Dean and Bernie Sanders support instant runoff voting and why Robert’s Rules of Order recommends it for electing leaders.
