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Ranked-choice voting
promotes diverse ballot
Greater diversity and more positive policy-oriented campaigns are just a couple of advantages of ranked-choice voting (RCV).
Studies find that there was an increase of women and people of color running for office and winning with RCV. This increase in the diversity of elected officials provides a better representation of the demographics of our cities and of the issues affecting diverse communities.
Under RCV, in which voters rank candidates in order of preference, candidates do not benefit from attacking their opponents because candidates are also competing to be voters’ second or third choice if they don’t win a majority on the first tally. This makes campaigns more positive and issues-oriented.
These advantages, and more, are why the League of Women Voters of Alameda is working toward the day when voters in Alameda will adopt this voting method for city officeholders.
Karen Butter
Alameda
Castro best pick for
Alameda County schools
I was disappointed to see your misguided endorsement of the incumbent for Alameda County superintendent of schools (“Reelect Monroe schools chief for Alameda County,” Page A6, April 19). .
Both the teachers and the staff at the Alameda County Office of Education support Alysse Castro, with endorsements from the Alameda County Teachers Association and Alameda County Chapter of CSEA Local 615, among many other individuals and organizations. Additionally,Alysse is an expert on school finance, teaching a master’s class at UC Berkeley in managing resources for rising educational leaders. She will help superintendents all over Alameda County get more and better services for their schools, students and teachers.
Vote for Alysse Castro for county superintendent of schools on June 7.
Rebecca Jeschke
Alameda
Knox a better DA pick
to uphold law and order
I was deeply disappointed with your editorial endorsement (“Diana Becton is best choice for Contra Costa prosecutor,” Page A6, April 6) of Diana Becton over Mary Knox for Contra Costa County district attorney.
You should give some serious consideration to the 100% support of Knox by law enforcement.
We are either a society governed by law and order, or we are not. Becton has been a huge disappointment. For you to editorialize for more of the same is woeful.
Bill Fraser
Lafayette
Vote for Esteen for
California Assembly
Growing up in Bay Area public schools, I found myself struggling with my mental health without access to resources that should have been available. I was met with the typical resistance many young people encounter when they ask for help.
I am just one of many Bay Area natives who have had great difficulty trying to receive mental health care. Assembly candidate Jennifer Esteen, who is running for the District 20 seat in Alameda County, knows what that’s like. As a registered nurse, Jennifer has seen firsthand the detrimental effects caused by a failing mental health infrastructure. If elected, she will use her experience to ensure all Bay Area residents have improved access to these essential services.
This is why we at Project Super Bloom, a youth-led and progressive PAC, are proud to support her.
Nina Bindra
Santa Cruz
Source: www.mercurynews.com