February 2, 2001

Ms. Lois Wolk
Yolo County Supervisor
625 Court Street
Room 204
Woodland, CA  95695

Dear Ms. Wolk:

Thank you for agreeing to meet with me on February 13.  I will be
discussing with you two county electoral reforms, instant runoff voting
and the public financing of campaigns.  These issues are especially
important to me because the strength of our leaders comes primarily
from the strength of our democratic process.  Should scheduling permit,
I may be accompanied by a member of the League of Women Voters and a
representative of CALPIRG.

Instant runoff voting (IRV) is a reform advocated by several non-profit
groups, including CALPIRG and the Center for Voting and Democracy.
Recently, the Davis League of Women Voters led a public forum on
instant runoff voting; and, incidentally, I understand that you
yourself are a member the League.  Santa Clara County, Oakland, and San
Leandro have all passed instant runoff voting legislation; and a study
commissioned by the Vermont Legislature concluded by recommending the
implementation of instant runoff voting.

In our current system, candidates running for county office may win
with only a minority of voter support, and minor candidates can spoil
the outcome for a more generally favored candidate.  Instant runoff
voting solves these problems by establishing a majority winner in a
single election.  Voters rank the candidates in order of preference,
and ballots are counted in a series of rounds until one candidate is
preferred by the majority.  The system discourages negative campaigning
because candidates may compete for voters' second and third choices,
and IRV is expected to increase voter interest.

I would like you to consider the following three actions, short of
implementing IRV:

  (1) to introduce a charter amendment to allow the use of instant runoff 
      voting in county elections when the technology is available, and
  (2) to direct that equipment compatible with instant runoffvoting be 
      tested on election day in some County precincts, and
  (3) to ensure that any newly purchased voting equipment be instant 
      runoff voting compatible.

At the state level, momentum is building to move beyond our punch-card
ballot system.  See, for instance, the Secretary of State's voting
technology efforts along with the introduction of AB 28, AB 55, and AB
56 into the State Assembly.  It is likely, therefore, that the state
would assist the county in the purchase of any voting equipment needed
to implement IRV.  Detailed information on instant runoff voting may be
found at www.fairvote.org.

I would also like to suggest that our county adopt the well-constructed
Clean Money Campaign Reform plan set forth by Public Campaign.  The
plan would provide qualifying candidates running for County office with
a set amount of public funds for their campaign.  In return,
participating candidates agree to limit their spending and to reject
contributions from private sources.

Versions have passed in both Maine and Vermont.  There is generally
overwhelming popular support for a clean money system, and it would
cost each taxpayer less than a couple dollars per year. Further
information can be found at www.publicampaign.org.

This past November I took the time to observe the ballot counting at
the Yolo County Elections Office, and I have written to County Clerk
Tony Bernhard describing the importance of IRV compatibility in future
voting equipment purchases.  I am committed to improving the democratic
process and will help in any way that I can.  I can be reached at
jerdonek@ucdavis.edu or (530) 297-7385.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Christopher Jerdonek