The Fair Solution: Issue 8 is Proportional Representation!
“It was PR that allowed me to first get elected and it’s PR that we need to provide fair representation for everyone in our community” – Ted Berry, Former Mayor of Cincinnati
What’s Wrong with the Current 9x System of Elections?
9x shuts out fresh voices who don’t have high name recognition, big campaign money or party connections. Four council members were first appointed to office by party bosses, not elected by the people.
The current 9x system can distort representation. In 2007, six of nine winners won their seats with the support of less than 45% of voters.
9x throws out the concept of 1 person, 1 vote. For some voters, nine of their votes elect candidate while others have none. Most voters don’t even use all their votes – in 2007, voters cast on average of just 7 votes.
The Fair Solution: Issue 8 is Proportional Representation!
Proportional representation (PR) is a fairer, more representative and more democratic electoral system. PR is well tested in major elections around the world and has a 30-year history here in Cincinnati. During that time, Fortune ranked us the best-governed city in America.
PR employs the same principle used by Democrats in presidential primaries and Republicans in New Hampshire: PR provides a “fair reflection” of all. Voters get to do what they already want to do: rank their favorite candidates in order of preference, easy as 1-2-3.
