CALLS NEEDED - Support Instant Runoff Voting in Oakland  Empower Oakland voters - Support Instant Runoff Voting!

On Tuesday, Jan 5, Oakland City Council will be taking a critical step towards empowering Oakland voters by implementing instant runoff voting (IRV). IRV gives voters the option to rank their first, second, and third choice of candidates, eliminating the need for runoffs. Instant runoff voting was passed by 69% of Oakland voters in 2006 and is slated to be implemented this year. In order for IRV to move forward and critical voter education to begin, the Oakland City Council must approve an agreement with Alameda County on Tuesday night.

EBASE's vision for a just economy includes democracies where working families and communities of color have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. IRV reduces the number of elections and increases voter turn out. Coupled with effective outreach and education, IRV is one way to increase voter turn out in traditionally disenfranchised low-income communities of color.

Please join us in contacting Oakland City Council President Jane Brunner and Councilmember Desley Brooks to urge their support for moving IRV forward today!

Sample script:
Hello, my name is _______. I live _______. I support Instant Runoff Voting in 2010 in Oakland. IRV passed by 69% of Oakland voters in 2006. IRV decreases the costs of elections and increases voter turn out. I urge you to support the agreement with the Alameda County and move forward with IRV in Oakland!

Council President Jane Brunner, (510) 238-7001
Councilmember Desley A. Brooks, (510) 238-7006

Let us know that you called! Send an email to info@workingeastbay.org so we can count how many calls are made!

EBASE is a part of Oakland Rising, a multi-racial, multi-lingual community-based organization, that has come together to build a progressive city-wide electoral base that addresses the needs and issues of low-income communities of color in Oakland. A

long with our allies, EBASE support IRV and are prepared to do our part in the community outreach and voter education efforts that are critical to IRV's success.