Ranked Choice Voting: Voters will decide for Minnetonka

In August Minnetonka City Council approved the question of Ranked Choice Voting for municipal elections for the 2020 General Election ballot. The RCV portion of the meeting packet is posted here. In order to pass, state law requires 51% of the votes "cast on the amendment" be in favor of the amendment. A blank vote does not affect the outcome -- only the votes cast on the amendment. 

Proposed question:

PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT:
ELECTING MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL BY RANKED CHOICE VOTING

Shall the Minnetonka City Charter be amended to adopt Ranked Choice Voting as the method for electing the Mayor and City Council members, without a separate primary election and with ballot format and rules for counting votes to be adopted by ordinance?

YES____
​NO ____

For detailed information on the topic please view the series of presentations and discussions below from the Minnetonka Charter Commission. Meeting packets are posted at https://www.minnetonkamn.gov/government/boards-and-commissions/charter-commission/-toggle-allpast.
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Minnetonka Charter Commission Meeting 1/28/20:

​Presentations on voting methods and ranked choice voting.
  • Prof. David Schultz, Hamline University and University of Minnesota
  • Jeanne Massey, Executive Director, FairVote Minnesota
  • David Haeg, FairVote Minnetonka
Minnetonka Charter Commission Meeting 5/26/20

​Discussion of ranked choice voting study project and work plan for project
Minnetonka Charter Commission Meeting 6/9/20

City attorney report regarding June 8, 2020 city council meeting

Question and answer session with election officials regarding ranked choice voting
  • David Maeda, Director of Elections, MN Sec. of State Office
  • Ginny Helms, Elections Manager, Hennepin County
  • Melissa Kennedy, City Clerk, City of St. Louis Park
  • Minnetonka elections staff
Minnetonka Charter Commission Meeting 6/23/20

Presentations and questions - unintended consequences and opposing viewpoints on ranked choice voting:
  • Fred Van Beenekom, Dr. B.A. customer feedback architect and survey consultant
  • Mark Francis, resident
  • Carter Glendenning, resident
Discussion re resident outreach
  • Kari Knoll, communications manager
Minnetonka Charter Commission Meeting 7/7/20

Discussion: What problem(s) is Minnetonka working to solve with Ranked Choice Voting?

​Review of charter amendment proposed by city council
Minnetonka Charter Commission Meeting 7/14/20

Public comment regarding ranked choice voting
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Commission discussion of ranked choice voting
Minnetonka Charter Commission Meeting 7/21/20

Discuss community feedback and community survey

Discuss candidate participation

​Discuss commission action and next steps
Minnetonka Charter Commisssion Meeting 7/28/20

Consider resolution to extend review period

Discuss next steps
Recent example of Ranked Choice Voting; Minneapolis Ward 6 Special Election, August 11, 2020.
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