Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences to Use Instant Runoff Voting for “Best Picture”

Posted on by September 2, 2009
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On August 31, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences said it will use Instant Runoff Voting to choose the “best picture” Oscar winner. In June 2009, the Academy had decided to nominate ten movies, not five, for “best picture”. The Academy apparently believed that, with so many nominees, IRV will result in a fairer decision. The Academy had also used IRV for “best picture” in 1945 and earlier years. Thanks to Rob Richie for this news. See this story from the Los Angeles Times. Also see Blair Bobier’s commentary at the New America Foundation blog.

As Expected, California Will Hold 5-Party Special U.S. House Election on Nov. 3

Posted on by September 2, 2009
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California will hold a 5-way special U.S. House election on November 3, 2009, to fill the vacant seat in the 10th district in the eastern portion of the San Francisco Bay Area.

The candidates will be: Democratic, John Garamendi; Republican, David Harmer; Green, Jeremy Cloward; American Independent, Jerry Denham; Peace & Freedom, Mary McIlroy.

The results of the special primary on September 1 were: Democrats: Garamendi 26.15%; DeSaulnier 17.55%; Buchanan 12.00%; Woods 8.48%; Hampton .36%; total 64.54%.
Republicans: Harmer 20.58%; Bunch 4.59%; Clift 3.99%; Toth 3.22%; Peterson 1.59%; Loos .39%; total 34.36%. The lone Green got .52%; the lone American Independent member got .29%; the lone Peace & Freedom member got .27%.

Independent Holds Balance of Power in Iowa Legislative Race

Posted on by September 1, 2009
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On September 1, Iowa held a special election to fill the vacant State House seat, 90th district. The results: Democratic 48.91%, Republican 47.58%, Independent (Douglas Phillips) 3.01%, Fourth of July Party (Dan Cesar) .50%.

When this district had last voted, last year, the results had been: Democratic 86.80%, Fourth of July Party (Dan Cesar) 13.20%.

The 90th district includes Fairfield, which was the headquarters of the Natural Law Party, which existed as a national party from 1992 through 2002.

Socialist Workers Party Supports Privacy for Signers of Washington Referendum

Posted on by September 1, 2009
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The September 7 issue of The Militant (weekly newspaper of the Socialist Workers Party) has this editorial, supporting privacy for people who signed Referendum 71 in Washington state this year. Referendum 71 was put on the ballot by groups who want to repeal the protections for same-sex couples that the legislature passed earlier this year. A federal court is considering whether the names and addresses of the people who signed the petition should be made public.

Washington State Court Upholds Ballot Language for Pierce County Question that Abolishes Ranked Choice Voting

Posted on by September 1, 2009
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On August 31, a Washington state court judge rejected a challenge to the wording on the Pierce County, Washington November 2009 ballot. The challenge said that the part of the ballot for charter amendments, to extend term limits, and to eliminate Ranked-Choice Voting, uses confusing language. The judge said that the complaint was filed too late. See this story.