HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/6/2023 Item 3, Schmidt
Richard Schmidt <
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Subject:Comment special Weds meeting Item 3
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Re: Special meeting Dec. 6 Item 3 (Shenkman)
I would urge the council to do one of two things to settle this:
1. Offer ranked choice voting as a better alternative to diverse representation since there is no contiguous geographical
district that would benefit any minority. I should think the city could convince Mr. Shenkman of this fact. (I grew up in a
ranked choice city, and in our highly prejudiced 1950s elections, ranked choice almost always facilitated election of one
Black – less than 10% of population – and one labor rep – on a council of 9. When Republicans got ranked choice
repealed and replaced with “9 X” voting, that diverse representation ended. Ranked choice results in elected bodies that
look a lot more like a cross-section of the general population than ours does. It’s a good solution for all.)
Or
2. Agree to district elections. They would have benefits beyond minority representation.
Richard Schmidt
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