State of Vermont House of Representatives

Montpelier, Vermont
House Resolution
H.R. 37

        House resolution relating to the creation of a Vermont Commission to Study Preference Voting

        Offered by: The Committee on Local Government

        Whereas, plurality election rules in races with more than two candidates can result in a candidate opposed by a majority of the voters being declared the winner, and
        Whereas, in 35 percent of all election years in Vermont, one or more federal or statewide races had a result less than a majority, and
        Whereas, in 23 percent of all election years, the general assembly had to intercede to elect one or more statewide officers, due to the lack of a popular majority, and
        Whereas, 21 times in Vermont’s history the governor was elected by the general assembly rather than the voters, due to a failure to achieve the constitutionally required majority of popular votes, and
        Whereas, the house of representatives has often elected a statewide candidate who did not receive the greatest number of votes, and
        Whereas, in one election year with no majority winner in the governor’s race, the general assembly deadlocked and elected no governor, forcing the lieutenant-governor to serve, and in another election year with no majority in the treasurer’s race the general assembly elected the third-place candidate who had received only three percent of the popular vote and who therefore refused to serve, leaving Vermont with no treasurer, and
        Whereas, recent presidential elections in Vermont with more than two candidates indicate that the existing plurality election rules cannot be certain to faithfully reflect majority voter sentiment, and
        Whereas, the advent of public financing in certain statewide elections, beginning in the year 2000, could increase the likelihood of multiple viable candidates, and
        Whereas, having more than two credible candidates increases the chances of there being no majority winner, and
        Whereas, alternative voting systems that solve this problem through an instant runoff or single transferable vote system are used in democracies around the world, including Australia and Ireland, and
        Whereas, the house of representatives could benefit from a broad examination and public discussion of such alternative voting systems, now therefore be it

        Resolved by the House of Representatives:
        That there is created a Vermont Commission to Study Preference Voting that shall consist of a maximum of 12 Vermont residents, one-half of whom shall be designated by the Vermont League of Women Voters, and one-half of whom shall be designated by Vermont Common Cause and who shall represent a diversity of political parties, and include at least one resident under the age of 25, and be it further
        Resolved: That the League of Women Voters and Common Cause shall forward the names and contact information of the commission members so designated to the Secretary of State who shall designate one member of the commission to act as convener for the first meeting at which the commission shall elect a chair, and be it further
        Resolved: That the commission shall analyze possible impacts of public campaign financing as it relates to any increased likelihood of failures to attain majorities, and to review alternative voting systems, including the Australian single transferrable vote system and variants that would facilitate popular majority rule in single seat elections or representative outcomes in multiseat legislative elections, and be it further
        Resolved: That the commission shall give its highest priority to an examination of those statewide races that will be eligible for public financing, and be it further
        Resolved: That the commission is encouraged to seek the assistance of the political science departments at Vermont institutions of higher education, and be it further
        Resolved: That the commission is encouraged to conduct mock elections, utilizing a preference voting system, and be it further
        Resolved: That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations, including any draft legislation that it deems necessary to implement its recommendations, to the house of representatives by January 15, 1999, and be it further
        Resolved: That the members of the commission shall not be entitled to per diem compensation nor expenses from the state of Vermont in connection with their duties, and be it further
        Resolved: That the Clerk of the House be directed to send a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of State, Vermont Common Cause and the Vermont League of Women Voters.