In the midst of one of the most anticipated presidential elections in American history, the call for reforming the United States’ electoral system feels urgent to many passionate voters. At the forefront of this movement is ranked-choice voting (RCV). It is an approach that promises to increase civic engagement in elections and deliver a host of potential benefits.

What is Ranked Choice Voting?

Ranked choice voting, also referred to as “instant-runoff voting,” is an alternative election system that has gained significant traction, especially since the 2016 election year. Simply put, instead of voting for one single candidate, voters rank candidates by order of preference on their ballot. When counting votes, a candidate with the majority (over 50 percent) of first-choice votes is the automatic winner. 

However, in the event that no candidate secures the majority of first-place votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. Voters who supported that candidate will have their second-choice votes now counted as their first choice. This process continues until a candidate achieves the majority. By allowing multiple ranked choices, RCV allows for a more representative election since voters can express preferences for multiple candidates.

Benefits of the RCV Approach

The RCV voting system has stood out for its many perks. These perks include its potential to create a more comprehensive electoral process and enhance our democracy through voter engagement. These benefits contribute to modernizing the electoral system, which many view as outdated.

The most significant RCV benefit is its ability to increase voter engagement. It allows voters to more strongly express their preferences, thereby increasing the value of each individual vote. Voters are likely to be more motivated to expand their knowledge on all ticketed candidates as opposed to focusing on the candidate they like most. 

As a result, we can expect to see higher voter turnout, driven by more informed opinions. Ultimately, this increases the chances that the selected candidate reflects the will of the people. With more people participating and their voting preferences taken into consideration.

Another significant benefit is its potential to reduce negative campaigning. With RCV, candidates are motivated to reach a broader audience, seeking not just first-choice votes but also second, third, and even fourth choices. This means even low-ranked votes could play a significant role in tight elections. Consequently, candidates may diversify their outreach, broadening their appeal beyond their typical support base.

Additionally, lesser-known candidates and those from smaller parties stand a fairer chance to campaign and compete as voters no longer fear that their choices might be wasted.

RCV also offers additional benefits. These benefits include reducing vote splitting, potentially curbing gerrymandering, increasing constructive civil political discourse, and many more. Taken together, these benefits illustrate how RCV can fundamentally improve our electoral process, paving a path to a healthier democracy.

RCV in Action

Implementing RCV on a large scale in the U.S. will require a strong national campaign. As it currently stands, countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland use RCV for general elections. The United Kingdom and Canada employ it in more limited capacities. 

Within the U.S., states have the authority to determine their voting methods, allowing for variations like RCV. To that end, RCV is gaining traction. Fourteen states have adopt it in some form. More than 50 jurisdictions, such as New York City and San Francisco, have embraced the system. 

Data shows that, where RCV is already in place, it is successful. Jurisdictions utilizing RCV experience 17 percent higher voter turnout, with an average increase of 10 percent in places that have adopted the system, according to FairVote, a nonpartisan organization that researches and advances voting reforms. Additionally, RCV has contributed to voter diversity, along with many other benefits. 

Logistic and Fundamental Challenges 

A larger, collective effort and understanding is necessary for RCV to move toward broader adoption. Overcoming challenges to its implementation is likely to be a worthwhile investment. Several key issues need to be addressed beyond the necessary legislation. 

Since RCV is a more complex system than traditional voting, it’s important that voters have a strong understanding of exactly how it works. Ballots and voting infrastructure will need to be updated, and election workers will require additional training. Public awareness campaigns to educate voters also will be necessary but could add to the overall cost of implementation. 

Significant resistance is expected at various levels. Some politicians may hesitate to support changes that could jeopardize their own chances of reelection. They may be also reluctant to change a system entrenched for so long. 

On the policy side, there has been a push to adopt RCV for state and federal elections in recent years, according to the Institute for Responsive Government, a group focused on helping policy makers find solutions that make government more efficient. So far, Maine and Alaska have done so by statute. But in other states, such as Colorado, Nevada, and Montana, these changes are being proposed as amendments to the state constitutions. 

The Institute also explained that constitutional amendments on RCV would effectively bind states into these reforms. This may restricts the legislature’s ability to adjust procedures to changed circumstances, implementation issues, or unintended outcomes. Any modifications to these provisions would require an additional constitutional amendment.

RCV’s Potential

Discussions surrounding RCV’s potential have amplified, particularly in light of the unique circumstances surrounding this year’s presidential election. link?

With proven success in some states and cities across the U.S., RCV addresses flaws in our current election system, such as representation, negative campaigning, and general division across the country, according to the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan legal organization focused on solving challenges facing American democracy. It also stands out as a notable option, especially for primary elections (similar to what the United Kingdom does) as well as state and city elections, though it might not be best suited for the presidential election. 

While efforts to support RCV are expanding, there are still ways to go before it becomes the standard for elections in the U.S. But it’s showing potential as a way to improve engagement in U.S. democracy with a more inclusive and representative voting system that ensures that every vote truly counts.

About WeVote: 

WeVote is a 100 percent volunteer-driven, non-profit organization with a mission to build the next generation of voting technology so voters at a hyper-local level can be informed on the issues they care about, curated by people they trust. By connecting neighbor-with-neighbor and friend-with-friend, we help voters cut through the clutter to understand what’s on their ballot. The open platform lets anybody create and share voter guides that aggregate information and opinions across networks so you can help others become better voters too. Vote red, vote blue, vote rainbows; we just want you to vote, and that’s why we’re here.