It can be argued that if IRV were used in the state of Florida in the 2000 presidential election Al Gore would be our President right now. Here in Maryland, a State that is, as evidenced by the membership of this committee, strongly Democratic, supporters of Ralph Nader did not fear as much as in other states throwing the election to George W. Bush by voting for the Green Party candidate. State Board of Election numbers show 53,768 Maryland voters cast their ballot for Ralph Nader. This does not inspire continued or increased poll attendance on Election Day. Conclusion Third parties are growing in Maryland.
Membership is up, and third party candidacies are increasing.
Outreach efforts are expanding at what are at-times a dizzying pace. As the number of parties increases, and as voters are given the opportunity to choose between more than two viable candidates for all levels of office in Maryland, the method of voting inherits a much higher level of importance. Take the opportunity before you to endorse and actively support SB 233. Make Maryland a leader in the advancement of this voting method whose time has come and whose time for implementation is fast approaching throughout the United States. Do not force voters to vote strategically.