Thanks to their peculiar system of "ranked choice voting" and the software required to tabulate such ballots in county races, Pierce County won't be releasing results in statewide races tonight...or at least until several hours past midnight.
Ridiculous.
Makes me even more glad that we on the Snohomish County Charter Review Commission didn't give "ranked choice voting" much consideration when its advocates came pimping the idea during our 2006 term in office.
Posted by Eric Earling at November 04, 2008 03:51 PM | Email ThisI was like.. "Why???"
Although, it was only for the Pierce County races. What a waste of taxpayer's money though!
Posted by: Puyallup Taxpayer on November 4, 2008 04:04 PMBlame the stupid people who voted for it, or better yet the people who were too lazy to vote because it was not a presidential election.
Posted by: Vince on November 4, 2008 04:34 PMIn the Assessor-Treasurer race, there are six candidates. The Sheriff's race and one of the County Council races each have three candidates on the November ballot.
Many voters like the idea of more choices.
Posted by: Leon0112 on November 4, 2008 04:58 PMOne citizen, one position, one vote.
It's not hard. You have as many choices as you want in the existing system everyone else use, you just don't need to VOTE FOR ALL OF THEM.
I actually liked it. There were a couple of races that had people running that I absolutely don't want to win. Ranked choice helps to make sure it does not happen.
Posted by: Vince on November 4, 2008 05:30 PMAnd what is the Exec. Excellence Party anyway? I didnt know you could just make up a name and call it a party and put it behind your name?? Who knew??
Posted by: Mailgurl on November 4, 2008 05:50 PMThere were a couple of races that had people running that I absolutely don't want to win. Ranked choice helps to make sure it does not happen.
Um. I know this sounds "crazy" and "wild," but ... have you considered just voting against them, under a normal voting system?
I know well how it works; hence, my comments.
Posted by: pudge on November 4, 2008 06:39 PMThe reason you may not see any results tonight is due to a decision by Pat McCarthy. She didn't want to release preliminary results, knowing it could change as absentee votes are later counted. She could release preliminary results, if she chooses. In the worst case, you know the results in a couple days -- the world won't come to and end in the meantime.
Posted by: Greg on November 4, 2008 09:17 PM...and the ranked choice voting was rather idiotic and not well explained to us.
Posted by: Danice on November 4, 2008 09:46 PMWhat need is being met by getting results out hours or days earlier?
Anybody who's part of a political minority benefits from ranked choice voting. It frees you to vote for the candidate you really want, without worrying that he's a "spoiler". In the usual system, when you vote for your first choice you are in effect voting against your second choice, even if it's somebody good. In ranked choice, you'd be able to put Bob Barr first without tipping the election to Obama.
Posted by: Fred on November 5, 2008 03:04 AM