We are back for this month's The Scoop on RCV - your short update about all things ranked choice voting in Texas! 
THE SCOOP: RCV FOR TEXAS UPDATES
We're making Progress! Look what happening right now...
- RCV For Texas Infographic
- Ranked Choice Voting Bills Filed
- Texas House Committee on Elections Announced
- RCV Action Alerts - The Time Is Now
- How to Track RCV Bills this Legislative Session
1. RCV For Texas Infographic
Ranked Choice Voting is a nonpartisan change in election logistics. It sometimes helps Republicans, sometimes helps Democrats, and always helps elect candidates who have broad voter support. Like so much these days, it has become a partisan issue with the side that loses claiming it favored the other side. Help us educate voters by sharing our flyer that explains how instant runoff voting works. Let us know if there is a group that would be interested in learning more and one of our volunteers would appreciate an opportunity to make a presentation.
2. Ranked Choice Voting Bills Filed
We are pleased to share that three of our priority bills have been filed in the Texas legislature.
- RCV for Military and Overseas Voters (HB1444) - Enabling these specific Texas voters to use RCV will protect their right to vote by ensuring their ballots in runoff elections are not delayed. Read our summary of this bill's provisions here.
- RCV for Special Elections (HB1792 and SB637) - This bill would adopt RCV in all special elections to fill federal, state, and municipal governing body vacancies so those positions are filled as soon as possible. Read our summary of this bill's provisions here.
- RCV for Local Elections (HB259 and SB359) - These bills provide the option for local jurisdictions to use RCV in nonpartisan elections for county, municipal, and school district elections. Read our summary of this bill's provisions here.
3. Texas House Committee on Elections Announced
The nine-member committee includes a typical split of five Republican and four Democratic representatives.
| Rep. Reggie Smith, Chair (R-Sherman) |
| Rep. John Bucy, Vice-Chair (D-Cedar Park) |
| Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) |
| Rep. Gio. Capriglione (R-Keller) |
| Rep. Mano DeAyala (R-Houston) |
| Rep. Christian Manuel (D-Port Arthur) |
| Rep. Eddie Morales (D-Eagle Pass) |
| Rep. Valoree Swanson (R-Spring) |
| Rep. Hubert Vo (D-Houston) |
4. RCV Action Alerts - The Time Is Now
We are counting on YOU to be an active participant. If you receive an Action Alert, take 2 minutes to fill out your information. It's EASY and it will help determine the success of RCV in Texas.
5. How to Track RCV Bills this Legislative Session
If you would like to keep up-to-date and track the progress of specific bills during the legislative session, you can set up an account on My Texas Online. Go to the second tab "My TLO" and choose "Alerts". It will prompt you to create an account and then you can follow the instructions on setting up bill alerts to keep you informed!
UPCOMING EVENTS
- February 15 & 22 at 6PM - Volunteer Mobilization and Onboarding Phone Bank: Join one of our many sessions from the comfort of your home to learn more about contacting Texans who have expressed support for RCV. We will show you the ropes! Register at our Event Calendar.
- February 21, 28 and March 7 at 6:30PM - Live Outreach Planning Meetings: We will be hosting weekly meetings in February and March to discuss in-person opportunities to recruit supporters and prepare you to talk about RCV. No prior experience is needed. Register at our Event Calendar.
- February 27 at 8PM - RCV Speaker Training: Help educate the public about RCV and gain endorsements through speaking engagements! This is the opening session of Speaker Training for passionate and engaging volunteers to become knowledgeable and confident to make presentations. RSVP at our Event Calendar.
- March 11 at 9AM - Austin Farmers' Market Canvass: Come talk to people in person and ask them to support our efforts to bring ranked choice voting to Texas. Register at our Event Calendar.
- March 14 at 7PM - Improve Texas Elections: Join this bi-monthly virtual meeting to learn about the progress on our 2023 legislative priorities, and bring a friend. Register at our Event Calendar.
WHAT WE ARE READING
Recent Texas history is filled with examples of ordinary Texans successfully engaging with their lawmakers to enact change. We can do it with ranked choice voting too.
A Republican State Representative has filed a bill in the Georgia House that would allow Georgia cities to experiment with instant runoff voting in nonpartisan municipal elections. If passed, it would give cities the option to avoid costly runoff elections while preserving the principle of majority rule. Cities that don't want it don't have to do it, and cities that try it and don't like it can return to their original system. This bill promotes local control with flexibility and options, not mandates. That is what we want in Texas!
Ranked-Choice Voting Proposed by a Bipartisan Pair of Lawmakers - CTNewsJunkie
Connecticut would explore a ranked-choice voting system in congressional races and presidential primaries under a bill proposed last week by state senators Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, and Tony Hwang, R-Fairfield.
Say Goodbye to 'Lesser of Two Evils' Voting - Robert Reich on YouTube
In four minutes, this video explains how ranked choice voting leads to more constructive campaigning.
If you haven't yet, follow us on social media. You can find us anywhere:
We need your help!
Leading the charge for better elections in Texas through our grassroots campaign requires resources and help from committed supporters like you!
Ranked choice voting can lead to better elections by saving taxpayers time and money, creating broad support for candidates, reducing negative campaigning, and giving voters more choice and a stronger voice.
Please help bring ranked choice voting to Texas by donating today!
Ranked Choice Voting for Texas
http://www.rcvfortexas.org/