"Even with the passage of Measure A, the county will have to do more with less because of the devastating effects of federal spending cuts. Yet, while all of that is happening, we are spending millions of dollars on two elections to fill a single county office. The combined cost of the standalone special election for assessor and runoff was originally estimated at about $26 million."
"RCV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If no one wins an immediate majority, an instant runoff is conducted automatically during that same election by counting voters' next choices. It ensures the winner earns majority support without requiring the county to run a second, expensive, stand-alone election two months later. For off-cycle special elections, particularly those triggered by unexpected resignations or vacancies, RCV is a more responsible use of public money."
Santa Clara County faces a historic budget crisis forcing public health clinic staff reductions and greater strain on social workers. Measure A provides some relief, but federal spending cuts cause persistent shortfalls. The county is spending millions on two elections to fill a single office; the special election and runoff were originally estimated at about $26 million, and the county will bear the full cost of a Dec. 30 runoff with expected low turnout due to holiday timing. Ranked choice voting (RCV) enables voters to rank candidates and triggers an instant runoff to produce a majority winner in one election. Voting equipment, state law, and prior Measure F approval allow RCV implementation for county special elections.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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