Resolution to prevent the spoiling of California elections

WHEREAS, the combination of third party candidates and plurality
election rules (most votes wins, even if it isn't a majority) can spoil
and has spoiled the election of Democrats, as Ralph Nader spoiled both
the New Hampshire vote and the Florida vote for Al Gore, and threatens
to spoil California's presidential vote in 2004; and

WHEREAS, a majority vote requirement with instant runoff voting
eliminates the spoiler effect without the need for an expensive
second election; and

WHEREAS, the punch-card equipment used by many counties cannot
accommodate the ranked ballot needed for instant runoff voting, but both
optical-scan and touch-screen technologies can;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Santa Clara Democratic Party
supports the use of instant runoff voting in all single-winner elections, including
the Presidential election; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Santa Clara California Democratic Party
supports legislation that aids counties in upgrading their voting equipment to
handle ranked ballots.

Approved by SCCDCC, March 1, 2001