FLVCS and Rank My Vote Florida need your help to make ranked-choice voting (RCV) a reality in Florida! The Sarasota City Commission is holding a Ranked-Choice Voting hearing at Sarasota City Hall on September 20th at 6:00 PM, and we’d like you to be there! This is our best opportunity to advance RCV, not just in Sarasota but anywhere in Florida. We need to fill the city council meeting room with supporters, so that the Commissioners see how strong the support is for RCV.
What’s the issue?
The city of Sarasota approved RCV in 2007, and finally obtained voting equipment capable of running a ranked-choice election in 2015, pending final certification of tabulation software by the Secretary of State. However, implementation has been in limbo for 5+ years based on a clear misreading of the law governing city elections. We have asked the Secretary of State for a review of the legal issue so that implementation can move forward, but they have continued to delay that process for one reason or another, which we believe is an excuse to prevent RCV from happening.
It’s Time to Act
We have been patient, but the time has come to act. That is why we are asking the City of Sarasota to seek a declaration that ranked-choice voting is allowed under Florida law. In the eyes of the law, the City is the best (and maybe only) party that can take action.
We’ve been waiting almost 15 years for RCV in Sarasota, and two other Florida cities are also awaiting a resolution of the legal questions so they can move forward with RCV. Many others may follow once this barrier is removed.
We need to send a clear message to the Sarasota commissioners that there is widespread support for this action, and that it is a priority for their constituents as well as for Florida citizens beyond Sarasota.So, we need to Fill The Room on September 20th!
We also need 4 or 5 people willing to speak at this event — just 2 to 3 minutes on why you want RCV for city elections. We can help with a script.
Many of you have invested a lot of time and energy into seeing RCV advance. This one hour of your time will go a long way toward making all of our combined efforts pay off.
Please email John Severini at john@rankmyvoteflorida.org if you will make it, or if you would like to speak on behalf of RCV. Also, bring a friend! If everyone on this email list attends with one or two friends we will Fill the Room!
– Gene Jones, President, Florida Veterans for Common Senese
– John Severini, Executive Director, Rank My Vote Florida
Thanks Richard This looks great.