David, Paula and Ryan - 3 People Who Love Minnetonka

With one month left before election day, I can say definitively: campaigning is hard and time-consuming! That’s one reason I have appreciation for my competitors. I know Paula fairly well, and have met Ryan. Both are sincere people who care deeply about our city. If you are a voter, you will find something to like about your choices.

With three choices in a competitive Ranked Choice Voting election, it’s very possible that no candidate will get over 50% of the 1st preference votes. This means the candidate with the least 1st preference votes will be eliminated (just as they would have in a primary election), and the voters for that eliminated candidate will have their 2nd preferences counted instead, giving one of the remaining two candidates a majority (like in a 1-on-1 general election). These 2nd preferences are IMPORTANT! 

This is where it gets awesome: candidates have to reach out beyond their usual supporters to secure 2nd preferences from voters who preferred another candidate. It means that we candidates have to leave our comfort zones, have conversations with people who might disagree with us, find common ground and ultimately have a better sense of what all voters want. In our hyper-polarized times, this sounds pretty good. Read this paragraph again, because it bears repeating. 

If Paula, Ryan or I come to your door, spend a few minutes talking with us. We all want a better city, even if we have different ideas of what that means. Share your ideas, ask us questions, engage in dialog - it helps shape our perspective and represent you better. There is no more direct democratic process than a candidate showing up at your door to understand your needs and ask for your vote - or your 2nd preference vote. Hooray for local democracy!