Commentary: In opposition to Measure 117, Ranked Choice Voting

You need to know:

• Lack of funding. There are substantial costs involved with implementing RCV; which counties do not have.

• Lack of uniformity. RCV does not apply to all contests. State Senators and Representatives, who passed this bill will not use RCV. You will have a multi-page ballot with different forms of voting.

• Lack of transparency. Final tally of combined results will not be done at the local county level.

• Lack of consistency. Local jurisdictions can adopt whatever format of RCV they choose. This will result in multiple forms of RCV contests in one election.

• Delayed results. Election results will be delayed.

• Votes not counted. If you do not follow the RCV contest rules, your vote may not count as you intended.

Election reform is significant and impacts everyone and details need to be well thought out. It needs to be non-partisan, and there needs to be funding at the local level.

Thoroughly research RCV before you vote. Election officials are responsible for implementing this, should it pass. When all the mass confusion and flaws come out, your election officials will be sitting through legislative hearings trying to amend how this is currently written.

There are serious concerns with the implementation of RCV the way it is written in Measure 117. We believe in democracy and want your vote to count the way you intended.

•••

This information furnished by Rochelle Long, Klamath County clerk, on behalf of concerned election officials:

Lisa Gambee, Wasco County clerk

Stefanie L Kirby, Baker County clerk

Cheryl Seely, Crook County clerk

Steve Dennison, Deschutes County clerk

Dan Loomis, Douglas County clerk

Derrin (Dag) Robinson, Harney County clerk

Rhiannon Henkes, Josephine County clerk

Gayle V Trotter, Malheur County clerk

Bobbi A Childers, Morrow County Clerk

Sandy Lathrom, Wallowa County clerk

Keri Hinton, Yamhill County clerk