WPP Warns: Final Five Voting Won't Fix a Rigged System; Ranked Choice is the True Remedy

MADISON, Wis. - Jan. 2, 2024 - PRLog -- The Wisconsin People's Party (WPP) today expressed strong opposition to the proposed Final Five Voting (FFV) system, calling it a "red herring" that fails to address the root cause of political corruption: big money in politics.

"FFV may look like progress, but it's just a shiny distraction," said John Lemberger, Vice President of the WPP. "It does nothing to curb the influence of wealthy donors who use their money to buy elections and control politicians. In fact, it could even make things worse by silencing the voices of working people and minority communities."

FFV's Flawed Promises:

Proponents of FFV claim it will:

• Eliminate "extremist" candidates: This vague term often targets progressive and populist candidates who represent the interests of the bottom 90%, not the wealthy elite.
• Increase voter choice: While FFV allows the top five vote-getters from any party to advance to a general election, it doesn't address the underlying issue of gerrymandering and voter suppression that often restricts voters' choices in the first place.
• Reduce the influence of special interests: Big money can still pour into campaigns under FFV, effectively buying influence over the top five candidates.

The Real Solution: Ranked Choice Voting

Instead of FFV, the WPP advocates for ranked choice voting (RCV), a system that has already proven successful in states like Alaska and Maine, and in many more states' local elections and party primaries. RCV allows voters to rank their candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed based on voters' next choices. This process continues until one candidate has a majority.

RCV's Advantages:

• Empowers voters: RCV gives voters more choice and reduces the risk of having to vote for a "lesser of two evils."
• Reduces negative campaigning: Candidates have to appeal to a broader range of voters to earn their ranked preferences.
• Increases voter turnout: RCV makes every vote count, even in close races.

WPP Calls for Action:

The WPP urges voters to reject FFV and demand true electoral reform. We call on elected officials to consider and implement ranked choice voting, a system that can truly break the stranglehold of big money on our democracy and give power back to the people.
https://withepeople.net/