Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Ready or not, Instant Runoff Voting will be used to fill the recent vacancy on the NC Court of Appeals created when Judge Jim Wynn stepped down to serve on the federal court. Gov. Bev Perdue appointed Judge Cressie Thigpen a couple weeks ago to fill the seat temporarily, until a winner in November begins a new eight-year term. Thigpen is the former law partner of Dan Blue, former president of the State Bar, and a Superior Court judge. He’s the only African American among 13 candidates who have filed for the seat. The State Board of Elections last week voted unanimously to produce and mail to 4 million households a special edition of the Judicial Voter Guide (paid for by the Public Campaign Fund, not general tax dollars), with profiles of the candidates and an explanation of how to use Instant Runoff Voting. Commentators are right to wish another method could be used to fill these late vacancies, including merit selection, but the NC constitution and state law don’t provide much wiggle room. Sadly, IRV opponents are ready to distort the truth to score points, as I pointed out in a recent blog response. The focus should be on educating voters about the candidates, the voting method, and perspectives on who’s the best judge for the job.