[EM] Minneapolis instant runoff voting - lowest turnout since 1902

[Kathy Dopp]

http://instantrunoff.blogspot.com/2009/11/minneapolis-instant-runoff-voting.html
November 26, 2009
Minneapolis instant runoff voting - lowest turnout since 1902

Minneapolis had its first instant runoff voting election on Nov 3, and
had the lowest voter turnout since 1902, well over a hundred years.
This was the lowest turnout since Mayor "Doc" Ames, also known as "The
Godfather of Minneapolis left office while under investigation for
corruption. So much for the claim that IRV magically increases voter
turnout.

    Low-key mayoral contest depressed Minneapolis turnout, officials say
http://www.startribune.com/politics/local/69814067.html?page=1&c=y
    At 20 percent, turnout hit a low not seen since 1902. Results
released Wednesday were good for incumbents. By STEVE BRANDT, Star
Tribune November 11, 2009
    ...
    Unofficially, 45,964 votes were cast for mayor this year, or the
lowest since 35,837 were cast in 1902, when the city's population was
about 54 percent of its current estimated population.


The article title incorrectly says "officials" claimed "low-key
mayoral contest depressed Minneapolis turnout." But the reporter does
not cite officials saying this, but does cite Tony Hill, a Minnesotan
working on his phd in poli sci. The title should have said "political
scientist says" rather than "officials say".

I thought it would be interesting to see what was happening with
Minneapolis politics in 1902, the year with lowest turnout in the
state until Minneapolis' first IRV election this year:


"The Godfather of Minneapolis" Albert Alonzo "Doc" Ames (January 18,
1842 – November 16, 1911) held several terms as mayor of Minneapolis,
Minnesota, in the late 19th century and very early 20th century. He
was known for his geniality and assistance of the poor, sometimes
giving medical treatment to those who could not afford it. However, he
became much more famous for leading the most corrupt government in the
city's history.



-- 

Kathy Dopp

Town of Colonie, NY 12304
phone 518-952-4030
cell 518-505-0220

http://utahcountvotes.org
http://electionmathematics.org
http://kathydopp.com/serendipity/

Realities Mar Instant Runoff Voting - 18 Flaws and 4 Benefits
http://electionmathematics.org/ucvAnalysis/US/RCV-IRV/InstantRunoffVotingFlaws.pdf

Voters Have Reason to Worry
http://utahcountvotes.org/UT/UtahCountVotes-ThadHall-Response.pdf

Checking election outcome accuracy --- Post-election audit sampling
http://electionmathematics.org/em-audits/US/PEAuditSamplingMethods.pdf