Ranked-Choice Voting Discussed at Duluth Forvm

A Debate on Whether Duluth Needs a Change to its Election System

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It’s getting closer and closer to Election Day, and at this week’s Duluth Forvm, ranked choice voting was once again a hot button topic.

Proponents of voting changes say a ranked choice system would be better for Duluth.

They say ranked choice voting would allow people to vote more accurately, and give better options on candidates and ballot issues.

“The candidates have to appeal to other groups that they wouldn’t have to in a very partisan sort of situation where there’s only two candidates running,” said David Wheeler, a minister from Minneapolis arguing in favor of ranked-choice voting.

Wheeler says a ranked choice system would eliminate special interests from biasing voters’ decisions.

Those against ranked choice voting say the system isn’t broken, and changes would only confuse voters.

“We have high voter turnout, we have high civic engagement,” says current Duluth City Councilman Joel Sipress. “And our system has produced good elected officials like Don Ness for example, who came out of our system.”

Sipress isn’t alone in his opposition to the ranked choice system.

Current Duluth Mayor Don Ness, and Councilors Zack Filipovich, Sharla Gardner, Jennifer Julsrud, Barb Russ, have all outspokenly opposed changes to the system.

Duluth residents will vote in a referendum about ranked choice voting on November 3.