On July 24, Northern Mariana Islands Governor Benigno Fitial signed House Bill 16-220 into law. It provides that when no one gets as much as 50% for Governor, a run-off will be held. The new law takes effect in time for this November’s gubernatorial election. The election is November 7, 2009 (Saturday).
The bill is a response to the 2005 gubernatorial election, when the Covenant Party’s nominee was elected with only 28.1% of the total vote cast for Governor. An independent candidate placed second with 27.3%, followed by the Republican nominee with 26.6%, and the Democratic nominee with 18.0%.
See the paper BAN, Aug 1, 2009, pp 5-6 Guv percentages — an amazing effort to compile.
NONPARTISAN Approval Voting NOW — for all elected executive offices and all judges.
ONE election — NO caucuses, primaries and conventions. Save some public $$$$$ for other stuff.
Vote for 1 or more, highest win — pending advanced head to head math.
And in 2010 none of these folks can vote for Presidential tickets ………..
— Donald Raymond Lake
S1516 is sponsored by Senator Russell Feingold (D-Wisconsin) and has two co-sponsors. HR 3335 is sponsored by Congressmember John Conyers (D-Michigan) and has 28 co-sponsors.
Similar BAN posting:
There are three major groups of competent adult U.S. citizens who are frequently denied the free exercise of the vote: (1) felons and ex-felons; (2) residents of the District of Columbia and the territories; (3) members of minor parties and supporters of independent candidates. The harm to voting rights to any of these three groups tends to bolster the harm to the other groups as well. Deprivation of voting rights of one type excuses the deprivation of voting rights of other types.