The Cambridge Solution

Here is an e-mail I wrote today to a reporter who works for the Visalia Times-Delta/Tulare Advance-Register newspaper...

Hello,

I noticed that you reported on a lawsuit attempting to force the City of Tulare to change its election methods to district-based elections. I would like to inform you of an alternative solution for the city: a voting method known as "Proportional Representation" (PR). Proportional Representation is the voting method used by the City of Cambridge (Massachusetts) to elect its city council. It is an election method in which elections are conducted at-large, but with a vote-transfer process which ensures that minority groups elect their proportionate share of representatives.

If the City of Tulare implements Proportional Representation, it can continue conducting its elections at-large AND eliminate the grounds for the lawsuit, thus causing the lawsuit to be quickly resolved and potentially saving the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal expenses.

I would like to assist with and/or contribute to an article explaining "The Cambridge Solution" to the readers of the Times-Delta/Advance-Register.

Thank you for taking the time to read this e-mail.

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Ryan Dunning
San Joaquin Valley Coordinator of Californians for Electoral Reform