To the Editor:

A recent letter writer supporting Jo Butler indicated that Butler had his ‘first vote’ and wondered which of the two candidates running together, Bernie Miller or Sue Nemeth, would get his ‘second vote.’

In an election with one candidate running against a slate of two candidates it is better for a supporter of the single candidate to forego their ‘second vote.’ Here’s why: suppose 66 percent of voters were Butler supporters and voted for her but then cast their ‘second vote’ for either Miller or Nemeth. Meanwhile only 34 percent of voters supported Miller/Nemeth and voted for both Miller and Nemeth. Even with 66 percent support, Butler would lose to the 34 percent Miller/Nemeth vote plus the 33 percent ‘second votes’ cast for Miller and Nemeth by Butler supporters! It’s not quite fair unless Butler supporters suppress their desire to influence the secondary contest of Miller vs. Nemeth with their ‘second vote.’

Conversely, supporters of Miller/Nemeth who actually favor one over the other may want to consider which of the two candidates they prefer and then forego their ‘second vote.’ If Butler wins, the choice between Miller and Nemeth will have been made only by those voters who rejected voting for Miller/Nemeth.

Peter Kramer

Prospect Avenue