Face it, Tucson's election system is in need of repair. Let's fix the process and own the software, so the people can gain a better voice. The sooner we all face the facts, the sooner we can get things fixed and make proper decisions about Tucson's future. Generally, 40% of registered voters will show up to elect a mayor while 20-30% will show up to elect a set of mid-town council members who run without a mayoral election. This, in a city that will show up to vote at 70% levels in elections for Governor or President. We just can't be bothered to come to the polls when the race is so close to home. Then there are Special Elections when a whopping 7% show up to vote on how a quarter of a billion dollars will be spent. Clearly we need to change our system to restore some level of electoral relevancy.

Is this any way to run a Democracy?

We don't think so. In fact, it is very possible that an unfair system like ours, existing under the umbrella of a democratic system, could be chipping away at this American Experiment. The problem is evident, but what do we do to change it? It all starts with an idea and a Mayor and Council that will listen. Or we'll need 11,615+ signatures to back up the idea and put it up for a vote.

WARD-ONLY Elections: Currently we elect our City Council in a primary within the ward and then with a General Election that uses an at-large system. This allows all of Tucson to vote in ward council general elections. That means that no one in Tucson really gets to elect their own council member. This system often leads to a Council member gaining a seat representing a ward that they have not won election in. Worse, that means that voters in a ward may be represented by someone who doesn't reflect their views. Generally, this could violate the Voting Rights Act of 1964, but Tucson got off on a technicality and was able to keep the system when Phoenix lost it's at-large election system. Tucson Ward-Only seeks to eliminate this problematic system with a very simple change to the City Charter. This has lead to voting surges where at-large systems were eliminated, often by court order.

Instant Runoff Voting (IRV): A change to Instant Runoff Voting could bring disaffected voters into the electoral system. Since we need all our citizen's voices in a true democracy and too many are choosing to stay away from the polls during Tucson elections, a new and more fair form of election system is required. We believe that IRV will bring Tucsonans that have previously been disenfranchised to the polls by giving them more choice and therefore more power.