TEAMWORK: Jabbour and Chaparro working to bring instant runoffs to Hoboken

The DeFusco-Giattino majority may prattle on about support for instant run-offs, but what have they actually done to make it happen?

NOTHING.

They are too busy playing politics. Unfortunately, we are stuck for 2 more years with a council majority more focused on games than WORK.  

And its not getting better... its getting worse. 

Folks, thank goodness work is getting done. Emily Jabbour, At-Large Councilwoman and the founder of Hudson County's chapter of Moms Demand Action, (and the original sponsor of the Council resolution to lobby the NJ legislature to allow instant run-offs in Hoboken) has done just that. 

In late January, Jabbour contacted Hoboken Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro to ask for her help.  Chaparro not only agreed to lobby in favor of the current bill, she added her name on to Bill A-1801 as co-sponsor.

Thanks to a Councilwoman who is WORKING for the people of Hoboken, not pre-occupied with political attacks, Hoboken is on its way to election reform. 

  

Now, here  is an update from Councilwoman Jabbour:

Councilwoman Jabbour and Assemblywoman Chaparro Express Support for Bill A-1801 that Would Permit Ranked Choice Voting

 For release: February 21, 2018 

HOBOKEN, NJ – Hoboken Councilwoman Emily Jabbour today called on state legislative leaders to advance bill A-1801, which permits the use of instant runoff voting in local elections.

“Instant runoff voting is something we would like to explore in Hoboken in order to ensure we do not return to the days of expensive, low-voter turnout runoff elections that are historically susceptible to political gamesmanship and potential election mischief,” Jabbour said. “With the passage of A-1801, we would be allowed to offer ranked choice voting to Hoboken residents, which asks voters on Election Day to list their first, second, and even third choice of candidates, incentivizing positive campaigning and encouraging candidates to appeal to everyone.”

Instant runoff voting is a system that allows each resident to vote for a preferred candidate, as well as alternative choices in order of preference. In the event that no candidate receives a majority of the votes in an election, the people who voted for the last place candidate will have their second choice options added to the total. The process would continue until one candidate is a majority winner. Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro of Hoboken, a sponsor of the legislation, echoes Jabbour’s support for the bill.

“Offering ranked choice voting to our municipalities would change the negative dialogue in our campaigns, save money for candidates and the government, and avoid winter runoff elections, which often result in a lower participation rate,” Chaparro said. “This bill would not force any municipalities into using ranked choice voting, but rather would permit local governments to implement this option should they see fit in their community. I was happy to discuss this important issue with Councilwoman Jabbour, and I hope this bill will move forward expeditiously.”

The bill is currently awaiting a hearing in the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.

“I encourage Hoboken residents to contact their state representative, Assemblywoman Chaparro, and members of the committee, to inform them that this bill is important to you, it has your support, and is crucial to avoiding the days of the past when machine candidates fight to just get to a runoff and then take advantage of low voter turnout in subsequent runoff elections,” Jabbour said.

-- Emily Jabbour Councilwoman-At-Large City of Hoboken, NJ

BILL A-1801