Implementing ranked choice voting this year may cost the City of Oakland $946,950, according to a new report prepared by City Attorney John Russo. Russo issued a legal opinion last month that stated that the city must use the new voting format in the November 2010 election. The $946,950 cost, however, does not include the $800,000 that Oakland is estimated to save if it forgoes a June election. If the City Council refrains from holding a June primary, then Oakland will only have to spend about $147,000 this year for ranked choice voting, and will save money in successive years because it will not have to pay for start-up costs again. Ranked choice voting allows the city to only have one election in November and avoid a costly June primary.
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