Press
San Diego Voters Pass IVP Authored “Measure K”
The Independent Voter Project is proud to have authored, organized, and supported one of the most important election reform measures in the history of San Diego: Measure K. Just months before the 2016 election, most political insiders believed that getting rid of San Diego's "50%+1" rule, which allowed candidates to be elected in low-turnout primaries, would never happen.
After a year of organizing community discussions, working with the City Council, partnering with local community outreach organizations, building a large and diverse coalition, and conducting a broad voter education effort, we are proud to be a part of making history in San Diego. Measure K passed by the voters with over 59% of the vote.
April 5, 2016:
The Independent Voter Project wants the city of San Diego to adopt the top two vote-getter system currently used by the state. That would mean that no candidate could win outright in the June primary. But it would take voter approval to make that change to the San Diego City Charter.
The Independent Voter Project will discuss their proposed charter reform with four of the five San Diego City Attorney candidates at an event on Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lestat's West, 3341 Adams Ave. in Normal Heights.
Listen to the interview on KPBS.
April 7, 2016
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — The Independent Voter Project, or IVP, says candidates winning elections outright in a primary is un-Democratic and deprives voters of their right to a meaningful election.
This is called the 50 percent, plus 1 rule where an election ends with the primary, eliminating a November runoff between the top two candidates.
There's certainly been an impact. In 2012, five of seven citywide races ended in the primary. In 2014, three of four races failed to reach November.
This 50 percent, plus 1 primary rule has been part of the city elections since 1989. The term, primary, itself implies another election will follow, but in many cases, there hasn't been a runoff.
November 11, 2016
San Diego, Calif. — The Independent Voter Project (IVP), in partnership with Alliance San Diego, has succeeded in helping to pass Measure K, expanding the decision making process for voters in the City of San Diego. With a supportive coalition of community, labor, and voting rights organizations, Measure K was approved by an overwhelming 58.6% of voters.
Currently, in elections for mayor, city attorney and city council, a candidate is declared elected if they receive over 50% of the vote in the June primary. Under Measure K, all city elections will require a November general election run-off between the top two primary vote-getters.
According to IVP Co-Chair Jeff Marston, “Democracy is best served when the most people participate, and that is clearly in November. In fact, while the general election turnout is at least twice as high for the general population, for people of color and young voters, ages 18-24, it ranges from three to five times as high in November as June.”
Read the full story at IVN.us.
