Annette Meeks, the CEO of the Freedom Foundation of Minnesota, recently wrote an opinion piece  that was published in the Star Tribune on August 10. Meeks, who lives and works in Minneapolis, warns that other cities, like Bloomington and Minnetonka which both have RCV amendments on the ballot this fall, should be wary of following Minneapolis in adopting Ranked Choice Voting.

“Recently I’ve heard from friends across the country who ask the same question,” she writes “How did Minneapolis, once known as an innovative, trendsetting city, so quickly become a city adrift without bold leaders? It’s an easy question to answer if you consider how Minneapolis elects its mayor and City Council. In 2009, Minneapolis adopted an untested method of electing city officials called ranked-choice voting. RCV is now partly responsible for the demise of our once-great city and threatens the vibrancy of others who are following in our footsteps.”

Meeks goes on to counter many of the arguments given by supporters of Ranked Choice Voting. It does not simplify the voting process. It has little positive effect on voter participation. Unlike those elected using the primary method, the winners of elections conducted using RCV can succeed with far less than a majority of the votes. In fact, progressive cities like Aspen, Colorado, and Burlington, Vermont, have repealed RCV because it delivered the opposite of what its promoters promised it would.

Annette Meek’s words are well-worth reading in full. Bloomington and Minnetonka citizens are urged to consider them carefully before voting this fall.