Of Course Colton Moore Opposes Even Considering This Idea

It’s always best to learn more and ignore Moore.

In a press release to Chattanoogan.com, Georgia state senator-elect Colton Moore called on the General Assembly to oppose even the discussion of ranked choice voting as lawmakers look at voting method options in the coming session.

Of course, Colton Moore opposes Georgia even considering an instant runoff and prefers we stick with first past the post (plurality) voting. If there were a worse voting method to defend than what we currently have, Colton Moore would protect that. Why? Because it shields him. He has no interest in appealing to voters other than voters he can scare, anger, hoodwink, dupe, or con into voting for him in a perpetually low-turnout primary every couple of years.

His game here is the same. From the outset of the mere suggestion, he isn't interested in learning more or constructive discussion. No, he prefers to lie, and when that doesn't work, he uses tried and true consultant-approved rhetoric to scare voters. Always for his interest, of course.

What is the truth about ranked choice? It's not perfect. But it is better than what we have now. There are many other voting methods too. We should learn about them. Our legislators should be deliberate and consider the options. No doubt that Mr. Moore would also blow a gasket from their mere suggestion.

His attempt to paint ranked choice voting as a ploy to elect democrats is laughable. Republican Glenn Younkin would not be Virginia governor today had the GOP not used ranked-choice voting in his selection.

Moreover, the right of center, Koch brothers-backed Cato Institute's senior constitutional fellow Walter Olsen has declared, "Rank choice is a voting method grounded in common sense with a time-proven track record. It empowers individual voters to send a clearer message about whom they want to represent them. It helps elevate the candidates who are genuinely most popular with the public. Study after study shows ranking choices does not confuse voters, who find it easy to use."

Furthermore, there's an excellent chance that GOP incumbent David Perdue would have won his 2020 Senate election if Georgia had ranked-choice voting instead of a standard runoff.

A billion dollars wasted, three senate elections lost, and two Senate seats now firmly in the hands of Democrats; is that enough for Republican lawmakers in Atlanta to consider an instant runoff (ranked choice voting), or is more bloodletting needed?

Manifestly not for Mr. Moore. As long as it serves his interests, Moore would bleed the party into obscurity while elevating himself. 

In the General Assembly, respectable lawmakers are adept at ignoring the human steam calliope sideshow that is Mr. Moore. As such, I hope they hold hearings to learn more about ranked choice and other methods such as approval, score, and star voting. 

It may not be perfect. It may even be the wrong choice and something else is better. But to dismiss even the suggestion of considering changes is to deny the recent and painful history the GOP has had with runoff elections in Georgia.

It’s always best to learn more and ignore Moore.