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The Debate Continues Over MEGA

Important Dates to Remember

Texas primary runoff elections - those pesky runoff elections we are trying to make go away.

April 27:  Last day to register to vote in these elections

May 18-22:  Early Voting

May 26:  Election Day

• If you voted in the Republican Party Primary, you must vote in the Republican Party Runoff.
• If you voted in the Democratic Party Primary, you must vote in the Democratic Party Runoff.
• If you did not vote in either Party Primary, you may vote in either Party Runoff.
  
  

RCV Myths EXPOSED

In a paper titled "Shaky political "science" misses mark on ranked choice voting", the quality and credibility of scholarly research about ranked choice voting (RCV) is assessed.  Forty-one studies are reviewed, many of which have been cited in public debates over RCV reforms. The authors found that the most reliable studies were grounded in real-world election data, while many studies critiquing RCV have relied on flawed survey methods and abstract mathematical models that failed to accurately simulate what happens in real-world elections.  Despite the availability of data from over a thousand RCV elections since 2004 - spanning 14 million voters across 50+ jurisdictions - many studies eschewed empirical election data in favor of speculative or unrealistic simulations.

Since the paper is 38 pages long, we are going to break it into separate studies and present some of them individually in this section of the newsletter over the next few months.

The first is called "Beyond the Spoiler Effect: Can Ranked Choice Voting Solve the Problem of Political Polarization?"  This non-peer-reviewed research paper by three university academics used mathematical modeling methods to assess the impact of RCV on political polarization. The bottom line is that the authors used computer simulations and modeling rather than easily available real world data and came to conclusions that are contradicted dramatically by actual real world elections as well as the results from their own study.

For more information on this particular study or the complete paper, click on the links above in this article.

Common Questions About
Ranked Choice Voting

Is it possible to audit elections held with instant runoffs?

First - what is a risk-limiting audit?

A risk-limiting audit (RLA) checks a random sample of voter-verifiable paper ballots, giving strong evidence to support the reported election results (or triggering a recount).

Here is short video.

Answer:  Yes. Risk-limiting audits of elections run with instant runoff voting have been successfully performed by the Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center.

How Would You Rather Your
Taxpayer Dollars Be Spent?

On May 26, Texans will return to the polls to vote in the primary runoffs for those races in March that were not decided with one candidate receiving 50% or more of the vote.

It is estimated that the races will cost Texas taxpayers millions of dollars and subject Texans to almost three more months of exposure to the negative campaigning of which we are already weary. And all that for the prospect of a significantly lower turnout, averaging around 48% of the original voters. Not much of a return on our investment!

Instant runoff voting is a better, faster, cheaper alternative that would ensure nominees have majority support, without the cost or diminished turnout of runoffs.

From: Fair Vote article

Find Your Voice!

Primary Runoffs Provide an Opportunity
to Explain the Benefits of IRV in Real Time

Primary runoff elections will be held on May 26, and early voting will be May 18-22. As voters show up at the polls, the opportunity arises to educate these voters about our proposal to improve our election processes with Instant Runoff Voting.  Let them know that IRV can eliminate the need for runoff elections, saving them time and taxpayer dollars.

We can make ourselves known at the polls to inform voters about the benefits of IRV and how they can help IRV for Texas achieve those benefits. If you would like to join us, please click the link below.

Please join us in our efforts to educate voters about Instant Runoff Voting. Play your part and persuade your legislature to make it a reality.

We Need Social Media Volunteers!

Social media provides the best way to get in touch with most voters and potential voters today. This is a resource we have barely tapped into and really need someone who is proficient here. Young voters are an untapped constituency and are plugged into all social media platforms. Help us get the word out about all things instant runoff voting.

• If you are a social media user, we need you. IRVforTexas is looking for volunteers to post to and/or manage our social media accounts.

                 If you are interested, please contact Mary Beth Gilbert.

• If you are an experienced Canva user, we need you.

                 If you are interested, please contact Mary Beth Gilbert.

IRVforTexas Relies on Donations
to Spread the Word about IRV

There are so many people who either haven't heard about IRV or have received misinformation about it. Reaching those people takes resources and time, but it is definitely something worth pursuing.

Please consider making a one-time or recurring monthly donation to help ensure that our work to improve Texas elections can continue.

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