This November, Benton County residents will vote on a ballot measure that would implement ranked choice voting.
KLCC's Kira Hoffelmeyer has more.
Ranked choice means voters can number their top three candidates in order of preference, and it eliminates the need for run-off elections.
“It gives voters more power and more choices. It’s as easy to use as one, two, three,” explains Blair Bobier, one of the measure’s chief petitioners. “It ensures a voter never casts a wasted vote, and it eliminates any question that any candidate would ever be considered a spoiler.”
Supporters and volunteers joined the campaign Tuesday morning to submit the necessary signatures for the ballot measure.
Ranked choice voting is available in several states across the nation. If it’s approved in November, Benton County will be the first in Oregon to have it.
“This is just another step in a long Oregon tradition of having the best elections possible.”
Follow Kira Hoffelmeyer on Twitter @kirahoffy.