Spread of IRV slowed when CA senate defeates AB 1121

Close call. The spread of the IRV virus was just slowed down a bit. The California State Senate just defeated a bill that would have made it easier to spread instant runoff voting across the state. The bill was narrowly defeated. Hopefully lawmakers will learn more about the drawbacks of instant runoff voting before the IRV-whack-a-mole game starts up again for next legislative session.

California Senate Defeats IRV Bill by One Vote

September 10th, 2009

On September 10, the California Senate voted 20 in favor, 19 against, on AB 1121. California bills can’t pass unless they receive 21 votes in the 40-member State Senate, so the bill failed. It allows 10 non-charter cities or counties to use Instant Runoff Voting for their own elections.

There are many other ways to have meaningful participation of third parties without the drawbacks and complications of instant runoff voting.