An alternative voting system

Re “No way to run an election,” Opinion, May 17

Steven Hill and Lynn Serpe are right on with recommending ranked-choice voting. It’s not just San Francisco but other countries, such as Ireland and Australia and increasingly Britain, successfully using it. Not only does it save money by eliminating the need for runoff elections, it captures the complexity of voter opinion. Voters can pick their first-choice candidate and party without fear because the whole concept of a “spoiler” is eliminated in that system.

We should also adopt this model for state and federal elections. Our Legislature could have 40 districts, each electing one senator and four Assembly members in a multi-member district to create a form of proportional representation. Nothing would transform our democracy for the better more than opening up our electoral system to other parties and voices. Initiatives proposing this fairer type of voting are a true grass-roots effort to create a better democracy for Los Angeles and all of California.

DAN WENTZEL

Santa Monica

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Instant-runoff voting is a no-brainer. Most important, it ensures our elected officials are those who received the majority of votes. In addition, it saves millions of taxpayer dollars by avoiding costly runoffs.

RORY FREEDMAN

Los Angeles

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The proposal to go to an instant-runoff voting system as set forth is not new to Los Angeles. When I was Los Angeles city clerk, this system was suggested. I opposed it. Electing someone to office is not something that should be accomplished by having some sort of ranking process that gives different preferences to a person’s vote.

The instant-runoff voting system completely ignores the importance of the runoff, in which candidates and issues become much more focused. Outcomes can be much different in the runoff election. Several city runoff elections have had people elected who did not receive the highest vote total in the primary election.

Rather than wasting more time on studying instant-runoff voting, a study should be conducted by the state to determine the feasibility of appointing community college boards, with consideration given to appointments being made in the local college district communities.

The community colleges are critical components in California’s higher education system, and not electing their board members will not diminish their importance. You could also save the district $5 million-plus every other year in Los Angeles for an election that generates less than 10% turnout.

J. MICHAEL CAREY

Seal Beach