Status of Aspen IRV--Up for Repeal in November

Status of Aspen’s IRV Method—--Up for Potential Repeal in November Election after November 09 Advisory Vote to Discontinue IRV. 

In Aspen, the election season is gearing up again for August primaries and November elections for our County, State and Federal offices.  Voters are beginning to inquire about the candidates and the issues on the ballot.  The IRV status is one confusing element which needs to be updated. 

Aspen City Council has committed to put a binding measure on the November 2010 ballot to allow voters to decide to continue with or repeal IRV . The question is what method may take its place---the “winner-take-all” plurality, or the traditional run-offs.  That must all be worked out over the summer. But Council is committed to putting IRV  to an up or down vote in November 2010. 

Many voters in Aspen think that this has already been decided last November when IRV was on the ballot as an advisory question.

But it was not a binding vote. So it is a bit confusing.

Here’s the history--- 

In November 2009, the City put IRV up for an advisory vote.  ( Council  refused to have a binding vote.)

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20091103/NEWS/911039976&parentprofile=search 

 It was a close vote,  801 to 808 with , with 808 rejecting IRV.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AkfdDWQSJaPfdHRLNmpnLVQxWENjZUdjRDBTLUJhWUE&hl=en

  Some  Aspen voters are going to be surprised that they must vote on IRV AGAIN in November.  There seems to be a lot of agreement that it did not work as advertised. It certainly has not saved money---or time.  Things  may get more confusing depending on how the ballot question is worded.  That seems completely up in the air.

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20100421/NEWS/100429970&parentprofile=search

3 of our 5 council members are negative on  IRV now.  2 of them voted for it  in 2007

 IRV was passed in a very small turnout election in 2007

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0fdDWQSJaPfMzdmYzRiMzgtN2I0MC00Mjk5LWFjOGItNjM0NTFhMDA5OGI5&hl=en&pli=1

 http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20071107/NEWS/111070039&parentprofile=search

  608 Yes to 186 No.

  So more people voted AGAINST IRV in the  Nov 09 advisory vote than vote  in total  in the election to install IRV in Nov 2007.