was ranked choice voting (rcv) in minneapolis more inclusive?
DESCRIPTION
My masters thesis research asked the question: "Did the use of the ranked choice voting electoral system in the Minneapolis 2013 municipal elections achieve its purported benefits by functioning as a more inclusive electoral system and by inspiring more inclusive campaigns?" I publicly presented this research on May 1, 2014, for my MA in Organizational Leadership at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN.TRANSCRIPT
Effectiveness and Ethical Implications of Ranked Choice Voting in Minneapolis 2013 Elections
Erica L. MauterSt. Catherine UniversitySt. Paul, MNMay 2014
Minneapolis in 2013• 35 Mayoral Candidates• 13 City Council Seats• Park & Recreation Board• Board of Estimate and Taxation• Soil and Water Conservation
District Supervisor• City Charter Ballot Questions
Did the use of the ranked choice voting electoral system in the Minneapolis 2013 municipal
elections achieve its purported benefits by functioning as an
inclusive electoral system and by inspiring more inclusive
campaigns?
A MORE INCLUSIVE ELECTORAL PROCESS
INCLUSION AND DEMOCRACY
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
MORE INCLUSIVE CAMPAIGNING
COMPLEXITY CREATES BARRIERS TO
PARTICIPATION
CONCEPTUAL CONTEXT
INCLUSION AND DEMOCRACY(Young, 2000)
PUBLIC DELIBERATION
PUBLICDECISION-MAKING
InclusionPolitical EqualityReasonablenessPublicity
Social Justice = Ideal
“collective action by community members drawing on the strength of numbers, participatory processes, and indigenous leadership to decrease power disparities and achieve shared goals for social change”
(Staples, 2004)
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
A MORE INCLUSIVE ELECTORAL PROCESS
Primary Election
General Election
General Election
Runoff Election
TWO-ROUND SYSTEMS
SPOILERS
MORE INCLUSIVE CAMPAIGNING
COMPLEXITY CREATES BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION
Did the use of the ranked choice voting electoral system in the Minneapolis 2013 municipal
elections achieve its purported benefits by functioning as an
inclusive electoral system and by inspiring more inclusive
campaigns?
METHODOLOGYLITERATURE INTERVIEWS
PUBLIC ELECTION
DATAETHICAL
ANALYSIS
FINDINGS
Campaigns UsedRCV-Specific Tactics
Outreach to HistoricallyUnder-Represented Populations
RCV Education
Positivity and Lack of Negative Campaigning
Language of Choice
Campaigns Used RCV-Specific Tactics
Broader Voter Communication Universe
Distinguishing Candidate From Competitors
Assessing Success
Coalition Campaigning Not a Factor
OUTREACH TO HISTORICALLY UNDER-REPRESENTED
POPULATIONS
RCV EDUCATION
Positivity and Lack of Negative
Campaigning“you have the
disease of small vision”
¯\_(ツ )_/¯
INCLUSION AND DEMOCRACY(Young, 2000)
PUBLIC DELIBERATION
PUBLICDECISION-MAKING
InclusionPolitical EqualityReasonablenessPublicity
Social Justice = Ideal
Inclusive + EqualInclusive
Campaigning Public Deliberation
Inclusive Electoral System Public
Decision-making
Inclusive + Equal
PublicDeliberation
Inclusive + Equal
Task-Oriented
Analytic ProcessCreate Information BasePrioritize Key ValuesIdentify SolutionsWeigh SolutionsMake Best Decision
Gastil & Black (2008)
Relational
Social ProcessSpeaking OpportunitiesMutual ComprehensionConsiderationRespect
Gastil & Black (2008)
Inclusivity and Community OrganizingCollective ActionParticipatory ProcessesIndigenous LeadershipDecreasing Power DisparitiesAchieving Shared Goals
Conversations
Hodges35% of 1st Choices
63% of 1st+2nd+3rd Choices
Inclusive + Equal
PublicDecision-Making
2001 2005 2009 20130
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
0.45
Minneapolis Municipal Election Year Voter Turnout
RCVGeneralPrimary
Election Year
Vote
r Tur
nout
2006 2008 2010 20120%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Minneapolis Federal Election Year Voter Turnout
GeneralPrimary
Election Year
Vote
r Tur
nout
TURNO
UT
VOTERSRANKEDTHEIRCHOICES
IS RCV A MORE INCLUSIVE ELECTORAL PROCESS?
WERE CAMPAIGNS MORE INCLUSIVE?
SOCIAL JUSTICE & INCLUSION
PUBLIC DELIBERATIONPUBLIC DECISION-MAKINGDID COMPLEXITY
CREATE A BARRIER TO PARTICIPATION?
QUESTIONS(And, hopefully, answers.)
MY WIFEMissy Weldy
MY COMMITTEEAmy Ihlan, J.D., Ph.D. (Advisor)Ariella Tilsen, MAOLMartha Hardesty, Ph.D.
ANDSharon Radd, Ed.D.Rebecca Hawthorne, Ph.D.
ALSOMy MAOL ClassmatesElection Nerds of Minneapolis
Photos: Flickr Creative CommonsMpls55408, Matthew Paulson, Joe D, Scott*, Baratunde Thurston, Sage Ross, Leia Scofield,
Mpls55408, dayna mason, Quinn Dombrowski, Erica Mauter, Tony Seneadza, feeb, reway2007, duncan c, povertyinitiative, Michael Hartford,
Gozamos, Joe D, Dave King, Carolyn Sewell, Victoria Belanger
Video: Minnesota Public Radio
MEDIA CREDITS