Ranked choice voting

Called in on Zoom to support the San Pedro complete streets project and safer streets for cyclists and pedestrians.

Demonstrated RCV with Legos, arguing a five-year-old can understand it and questioning why councilors who use RCV internally call it too complicated for voters.

Argued runoffs often don't produce true majorities, citing six of the last eight elections where runoff winners fell short of 50% of all voters.

Opposed RCV, arguing it won't save money, requires costly voter education, and may require new tabulation machines and software.

The Rio Grande Foundation president urged opposition to RCV, calling it confusing and error-prone and suggesting eliminating runoffs instead.

A special education teacher who has used RCV in her classroom said it's easy to understand and reduces incivility in politics.

Chair of the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County urged support, saying his party already uses RCV internally with stronger participation.

Argued voting machines are already capable of RCV since other New Mexico cities use the same equipment, and urged support.

The county clerk, with Deputy Clerk Kelly Baca, supported RCV, detailing the roughly $1.8 million cost of the 2025 mayoral runoff and rising election costs.

First-time commenter urged the five no-voting councilors to reconsider RCV before the next meeting.

Common Cause organizer blasted the committee's 4-1 shutdown of RCV, calling the $1.8 million runoff spending a waste of taxpayer money.

Urged bold action on infill housing, Vision Zero, ranked choice voting, renter protections and ending homeless sweeps.

Advocated ranked choice voting with 'none of the above,' and described visible homelessness downtown, urging a permanent humane solution.

As a transit volunteer, distinguished the ABQ Ride ambassador program and offered ambassador training to security contractors; also supported ranked choice voting.

Criticized President Peña's voting record with progressives (1 of 25 contested votes) and urged reconsideration of ranked choice voting.

Common Cause organizer cited the $1.8 million cost of the 2025 runoff and asked the council to advance an instant-runoff ordinance.