Want to Work with Port Chester, NY on Alternative Voting Options?

Here’s the RFQ. Looks like a good opportunity.  More background:

The Village of Port Chester, New York seeks an expert to conduct research and voting data analysis that would support consideration of various election system options.

In 1868, Port Chester was incorporated as a village pursuant to a Charter, a special act of the State Legislature. The Village Charter provides for a Board of Trustees as the governing body (six trustees and mayor). The trustees are elected for three years, staggered terms and run at-large. The mayor is elected for a two year term and also runs at large.

In 2009, Port Chester was found liable for a violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act as the manner of electing trustees did not provide sufficient participation by the Hispanic population. Thereafter, Port Chester Implemented an electoral system of cumulative voting through a consent decree. This system was used in the 2010, 2013 and 2016 Village Elections for Trustee.  With the expiration of the consent decree in June 2016,  the Village Board of Trustees has the opportunity to determine what system should be used starting in March 2019, the next Village Election.

The suit did not challenge the election for Mayor.

Port Chester will be releasing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit qualified proposers who might provide technical assistance. From there, the Village will establish a short-list to forward a Request for Proposals (RFP). This solicitation is for subject-matter experts, and not legal counsel.

 

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