North Loop neighbors had a practice run at ranked choice voting at their annual North Loop Days this year.  The neighborhood hosted a mock RCV election to elect the North Loop Wine of the Month and, at the same time, to teach residents how to use RCV before they go to the Minneapolis polls this November.

Three wines, donated by Toast Wine Bar and Café, were on the ballot for sampling: Casa Solar Tempranillo, d'Arenberg Stump Jump Verdelho and Vitiano Rosata.

The contest was competitive with no candidate topping out as the favorite of a majority of discerning thirty tasters in round one of the counting.

Here are the results:

                                                   Round 1          Round 2

                                                    Totals            Totals

Casa Solar Tempranillo                           14    (+3)       17 (winner)

d'Arenberg Stump Jump Verdelho           13    (+0)       13

Vitiano Rosata.                                    3    (-3) 

______________________________________________________

Total Votes                                       30                 30 

A candidate needed a majority (50% + 1) or 16 of the 30 votes to win. The red Casa Solar Tempranillo and the white d'Arenberg Stump Jump Verdelho ranked high on almost an equal of ballots but neither with the necessary 16 votes to win. Vitiano Rosata placed a distant third with just 3 votes.

In Round Two, Vitiano Rosata was eliminated and the three votes for this candidate were reallocated to the remaining two candidates. These rose wine drinkers all preferred the red Tempranillo to the white Verdelho, pushing Casa Solar Tempranillo over the winning threshold with 17 votes.

The winning wine will be served as the North Loop Wine of the month in September at various establishments in the North Loop.

No ballots were spoilt or exhausted due to voter error. These mock elections demonstrate that with proper instruction on how to complete a ranked ballot, voters properly fill out their ballots.

Have an idea for a mock election? Desserts, appetizers, waffles, crepes beer, tea, hamburgers - can be anything!

Contact us to host a demo election of your own. You provide the ballot items and invite your friends and neighbors. FairVote Minnesota will bring the ballots and be on hand to explain the ranked choice voting process and provide education.

The election is just two months away - November 3rd - so don't wait! Get a date on YOUR calendar in September or October and we get it on OURS!

Email info@fairvotemn.org.