Sen. Doyle’s Fails to Block IRV

A Democracy Program Update from Executive Director Paul Burns

Despite Sen. Bill Doyle’s best efforts at obstruction, the VPIRG-backed IRV bill survived in a 3-2 vote today, the Senate’s Government Operations Committee passed the bill in a 3-2 vote.

The bill is all about voter choice and majority rule (read more about IRV here). It’s a good thing for Vermont. Sen. Jeanette White, chair of the committee, deserves credit for moving the bill to a successful vote. Senators Ed Flanagan and Clair Ayer also voted for the bill, which would institute IRV for US House and US Senate races in Vermont.

The two Republicans on the committee voted against the bill. Sen. Doyle was joined by Sen. George Coppenrath.

The vote on the Senate floor will not fall entirely along partisan lines though. We expect a VERY close vote with some Democrats voting against the bill (S.108). It could come up on the floor as soon as this Friday, April 20th. Visit our action center to learn more and TAKE ACTION in support of IRV.

-- Paul
April 18, 2007