This is the Insurgent Radio Kiosk for Monday, December 16th
Community Commentary
Action Calendar
Matt Rothschild here with the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Happy to be on the Insurgent Radio Kiosk, and happy to report some good news on the democracy front. On December 11th, Representative Mark Spreitzer and Senator Mark Miller introduced a pathbreaking proposal for changing the way we vote in Wisconsin. Their proposal would enact ranked-choice voting, which used to be called instant-runoff voting. Ranked-choice voting is especially helpful when there’s a crowded field of candidates, or credible third-party candidates.
Here’s how it works:
On your ballot, you get to pick your first choice, like you do now. But then you get to identify your second choice and your third choice. If one candidate gets a majority of the votes, that candidate wins, just like now. But if no candidate gets a majority, then the candidate with the fewest first-place votes is eliminated, and anyone who voted for that candidate then gets to have their second-choice candidate counted as their first choice. This process continues until one candidate actually gets a majority of the votes, which is a good thing. The beauty of rank-choice voting is also that it gets rid of the so-called spoiler problem.
Imagine being able to vote for who you really want to vote for, without worrying about throwing your vote away and thereby helping someone you don’t like at all get elected. If we had ranked choice voting in Florida, for instance, in the year 2000, Al Gore would’ve been president. And last year, here in Wisconsin, if we used ranked-choice voting during the Democratic primaries for governor, when there were so many candidates to choose from. And it’d sure be nice to be able to use it this year, in the Democratic primaries for president. Maine already uses ranked choice voting, by the way, and more and more cities across the country are adopting it, including Berkeley and Cambridge, Minneapolis and St. Paul, and Oakland and San Francisco. We need ranked-choice voting, right here in Wisconsin. I’m Matt Rothschild, and that’s how I see it.
The kiosk brings you commentaries from members of the public. All opinions expressed are those of the speakers. Have an idea for your own two-minute commentary? Go to wortfm.org/kioskcommentary.
It’s today’s Action Calendar!
All are invited to an 89.9 Social Club Pop-Up Party on Wednesday, December 18th from 6 to 8:30 p.m., at The Atwood, 2116 Atwood Avenue. The Atwood offers 20 craft beers, cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages and traditional tavern fare. Pop-up party attendees can enjoy a $1.00 discount on all drinks. The Soggy Prairie Bluegrass Band will kick off the entertainment at 6:30 p.m. The 89.9 Social Club provides an opportunity for curious listeners to meet WORT volunteers and get a better sense of what WORT is all about. For information, email socialclub@wortfm.org.
The West Madison Senior Coalition will offer meals to those 60 and older on Tuesday, December 17th from noon to 1 p.m. at the Meadowridge Library, 5740 Raymond Road. There is a suggested minimum donation of $4.00, but participants can contribute what’s affordable. Transportation is available. Meal and bus reservations should be made today by calling 238-7368.
If you have found an injured, ill or orphaned wild animal you believe needs assistance, contact the Dane County Humane Society’s Wildlife Center at 287-3235 before intervening. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers are happy to talk you through the next steps and determine when help is truly needed. Learn more at giveshelter.org.
The Insurgent Radio Kiosk welcomes your commentaries on subjects of interest to the W.O.R.T. listening community. Commentaries are limited to two minutes. If you’d like to do a Kiosk commentary, visit wortfm.org/kioskcommentary.
The Kiosk is available online at wortfm.org/kiosk.
This has been the Insurgent Radio Kiosk heard weekdays at 5:00, 6:30 and 9:00 AM and at 2:00 PM. With Engineer Alida, I’m Union Maid. Submit announcements at least ten days in advance of the event at wortfm.org/kiosk/announcements.
The post Kiosk for Monday, December 16 appeared first on WORT 89.9 FM.