As a former University of Puget Sound student who worked on the “Yes on Three” campaign to bring ranked choice voting (or, as we called it during the campaign, instant runoff voting) to Pierce County in 2006, I was disappointed to hear the news that the Pierce County Council voted put a repeal measure on the ballot this fall. Its action flies in the face of how well ranked choice voting (RCV) is working in other states and the rising support for the system, which now includes President Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain.

Talking to friends back in Pierce County, the perception is that not enough voters understand the system. This comes as a big surprise to me. Of the countless number of voters that I talked to in 2006, only a single person objected to the system because they thought it was confusing. In the nine other municipalities that have run ranked choice elections this decade, voters have handled it quite well – in fact the number of invalid ballots was very low in Pierce’s RCV races as well. I have faith that people in my former county can handle ranking candidates just as well as they can in any of the other places using RCV.

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The fate of IRV (Instant Run-Off-Voting) in Pierce County seems already in doubt, as both Democrats and Republicans express frustration with how their supporters participated in the new system’s first electoral trial. Approved by the voters in 2006, IRV was a bi-product of electoral reformers who wanted to minimize the “spoiler effect” posed by third parties candidates while simultaneously allowing residents to “vote with their heart.” To date, Pierce County remains the only county in Washington to practice IRV, which is why it only applies to county-government seats. (To see how IRV works: click here.)

I should state now, before proceeding further, that I voted against IRV in 2006 both as a citizen and as a delegate to the Democratic County Convention. My reason for doing so was simple: while I liked the idea of giving greater ear to progressive candidates, I knew that the strength of the religious Right was such that only they could truly benefit from a system such as this. My fears have since been confirmed by the election of Dale Washam to County Treasurer.

That being said, I cannot deny that IRV is a more democratic system than what most voters have elsewhere. Blaming said system is a poor argument for politicians who failed to receive enough votes to carry them into office.  I contend that no matter who won this election, somebody would have been upset with the results and looked for a scapegoat in the new IRV system.

In a farewell address to his supporters, defeated Democratic contender for Pierce County Executive – Calvin Goings’ – urged fellow Democrats to “do some real soul searching on how we run and win in a Ranked Choice Voting environment. Clearly the Republicans have already thought this through.” Mr. Goings assault on IRV was so thorough it reminded me of Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech: “I am deeply concerned that in a Democratic year of change it appears that because of Ranked Choice Voting, Pierce County will be a red mark on a blue state.” Obviously the fact that the Pierce County GOP not only gained seats in IRV races but also in the now seemingly uncontroversial top-two primary contests doesn’t seem to phase Mr. Goings. If IRV is to blame, then how do we explain: Randi Becker, Bruce Dammeier, Mike Carrell? Plus, Tim Eyman’s near token win with I-985?

On the other side of the coin is Joyce McDonald, who despite winning her county council race and effectively filling Goings seat, has already expressed her desire to end IRV in Pierce County. McDonald believes that, were it not for IRV, Republican candidate Shawn Bunney would now be county executive – effectively nullifying Goings aforementioned complaint.

Personally, I think the only electoral reform we should be considering at the moment is to abolish poll-voting in favor of an absentee-only or oral caucus system.  But what do I know.  I just vote here.

Jessie (Robert “The Traveller”) Hill has filed a formal ethics complaint against Sheriff Paul Pastor, less than two weeks before the final day of the election. The complaint alleges that Sheriff Pastor failed to disclose $15,000 worth of in-kind contributions, including a $10,000 billboard and a $5,000 promotional ad in the Tacoma News Tribune.  The complaint, visible here, goes on to accuse Cascade Regional Blood Services of playing an inappropriate role in Pastor’s campaign.

Mr. Hill released the following statement:

First, this blood bank takes free blood from people and sells it at profit to hospitals; then, using their

law firm Shillito & Giske, who also gave money to Pastor, they take this profit and conveniently plan a

publicity campaign that coincides with the election season, from the first week of June to the last week

of September…I recommend that all individuals in Pierce county boycott this organization,

for the next six months!  They should just go direct to the hospital they want to support.

The Melon will report on more information as it becomes available.

Last Monday The Melon had an opposite of live interview with Pierce County Councilman Tim Ferrell. Tim outlined his first term as a councilman: his highs, his lows, and everything in between. We discussed a possible bid for mayor of Tacoma, instant-run-off voting, the future of transportation and mainstream work-culture in Washington State