Hallandale Beach Charter Review Yury Konnikov President Florida Initiative for Electoral Reform

Mission To build a vibrant democracy with accessibility for the average person, a competitive political environment, pluralism in policy and decision making, and fair representation, within the state and its localities.

Multiple areas of focus Electoral methods Campaign finance Ballot access – An amount equal to 1% of the annual salary of position sought qualifying fee to the State plus a $50 City filing fee ( ID=228). Charter says, “must pay to the city clerk a qualifying fee of fifty dollars ($50.00), accompanied by a signed notice of candidacy in the form specified by ordinance”. ID=228

Electoral Methods Voting methods – presently single NON- transferable, plurality vote, no majority winner requirement Election methods – presently at large However, several alternatives can yield more accessibility, pluralism, and representation

Residential Districting Keep the electorate at large Candidates, however, would run in districts within which they reside City of West Palm Beach and Sarasota County, among others use this method Key lies in the objectivity of criteria used to draw districts

Objective Criteria Contiguous, compact Equal in population Slight allowance for variation by population 5- 10% Meets relevant civil rights legislation No consideration for incumbent residency, political affiliation proportions, or previous boundary locations Must be inclusive towards public, do not put on public hearings AFTER criteria is decided, only BEFORE

Who draws and approves? City GIS department in collaboration with planning and zoning if necessary and strictly according to objective guidelines Up or down vote by commission, no amendments

Ranked Choice Voting Can be coupled with residential districting Works for SINGLE WINNER elections Used in Australia’s lower house since 1918, Ireland presidency Used in San Francisco, Oakland, Minnieapolis, St. Paul, Louisiana uses it for overseas, out of state military voters, etc. Compatible with optical scan machines Can post ballot images online for public review City of Sarasota adopted but waiting for certification

Benefits Majority winners without need for runoffs No wasted votes Less need for money Less vote strategizing on the part of voters Greater power for voters Discourages negative campaigning, encourages positive differentiation Ends the “spoiler effect”

Single Transferable Vote Like Ranked Choice but meant for proportional representation for multiple seat elections that may have multiple winners Used for Australian Senate (since 1948, Irish Parliament (since 1921), Northern Ireland Assembly, Cambridge, MA (since 1941), Minneapolis. Notable achievements in building better representative democracy around the US in early 1900s

Campaign Finance Fair Elections model still constitutional Candidates foregoing private funding receive a lump sum after meeting qualification requirements i.e. certain number of small $ donations raised from a certain amount of people If privately funded candidates outspend, allow Fair Elections candidate to raise more small dollars donations and match $1 for $1 to a certain cap

Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet Since 1903 allows candidates and ballot measure efforts (for and against) to purchase (or provide signatures) one column of space for a 325 word statement and photograph One copy of Voters’ Pamphlet mailed to each household, more copies available in government buildings Includes federal, state, and local offices City can sell space to county, state, and federal candidates as well

Ballot Access Should not be used as a means to stifle pluralistic competition Must be reasonable and accessible for the average person without requiring much money For example, filing fee, rather than simple expenditure can be a deposit returned if candidate wins 5% of the vote or greater

Opportunities Build a better representative democracy An example for other jurisdictions No need to shy away from innovative, yet tested reforms Improving democracy for the benefit of all residents History shows localities have always led the way