Can Ranked Choice Voting Unify America and Empower the People?
In a Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) election you rank all candidates in order of your preference. Here is a sample of what a ballot might look like.
In our two-party political arena, where the choice often feels like picking the lesser of two evils, the real losers seem to be those who wish for more than just the choice of bad and worse. The high entry barrier to American politics usually boils down to one's financial clout and the willingness to serve donor interests.
From time to time, an independent or third-party candidate attempts to challenge the status quo. However, they're usually met with a cold shoulder from voters who fear that their votes might end up being futile—a self-fulfilling prophecy that ensures the continuation of the two-party stronghold.
Enter Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). This system lets voters rank candidates by preference, a game-changer in terms of strategy and outcome. It tackles the vote-splitting problem, eradicates the "spoiler" role of third-party candidates, and ensures more representative results.
Let's break it down: imagine you've cast your vote for an independent candidate as your first choice. If they secure only a fraction of the vote—say, 20%—and no major party candidate wins an outright majority, RCV ensures your vote isn't wasted. Instead, it cascades to your second choice. This means you no longer have to play it safe or strategize against your own preferences.
An example of how a RCV election may go - this could be for a mayoral race or for a local school board election. It is an instant runoff election without having to hold the second election.
The implications are significant, especially for candidates rooted in the political establishment. They have the most to lose with the advent of RCV, as it threatens their traditional voter base. No longer can they bank on the fear that prevents voters from straying outside the familiar two-party options. With RCV, the electorate can dare to vote for independents or third-party candidates without the trepidation of "throwing away" their vote.
In places where RCV has been adopted, like the recent additions in Michigan and Minnesota—not to mention cities across Alaska, Maine, Utah, and Colorado—it's shaking up the political playbook. It encourages candidates to engage with all voters, not just their assured supporters, because now every rank on the ballot can make a difference.
“Ranking candidates takes the power away from the parties and the special interests and gives it back to the people.”
Indeed, the main critics of RCV are often those snug in the comfort of the established order—those who stand to lose the most from an empowered electorate. While RCV might introduce a layer of complexity and necessitate some initial investment, the real barrier appears to be a lack of understanding. Once voters and candidates alike grasp how it works, the benefits become clear: a more democratic and representative political process. Proponents of RCV say it doesn’t give one party an edge over the other; it empowers voters.
In essence, RCV could be the catalyst for a more united political environment, where power truly returns to the people, providing a spectrum of choices beyond the entrenched establishment. I'm all for shaking things up, for handing power back to the people, and for giving us more than two beholden to legacy donors and media.
As we continue to explore RCV's potential, it's becoming increasingly clear that it may very well be a positive step forward for the American political system—one that brings us closer together in finding common ground and advancing collective progress.
Action Steps
If you think RCV sounds like a good idea and you want to push for it in your community and on a national scale, you can do so through a combination of grassroots advocacy, political engagement, and public education. Here are the steps that individuals and groups can take:
Educate Yourself and Others: Understand the mechanics of RCV and its potential benefits or drawbacks over traditional voting systems. Educating others through community meetings, online platforms, and informal discussions can raise awareness.
Form or Join Advocacy Groups: Connect with local or national organizations that support electoral reform, including RCV. These groups often have resources, networks, and strategies to effectively advocate for change.
Engage with Local Community Leaders and Elected Officials: Present the case for RCV to local leaders and elected officials. Demonstrating community support and providing well-researched information can persuade officials to consider RCV.
Use Independent and Local Media: Spread awareness and garner support by writing op-eds, letters to editors, or participating in local media interviews.
Lobby for Legislative Change: Advocate for RCV at the city, state, and federal levels by meeting with legislators and participating in lobbying days.
Participate in Public Debates: Engage in public forums, debates, and town hall meetings to discuss the merits of RCV and address concerns.
Support RCV Pilot Programs: Encourage local governments to adopt RCV on a trial basis for smaller elections, which can serve as a practical demonstration of its effectiveness.
Monitor and Participate in Election Law Reforms: Stay informed about ongoing election law reforms and participate in public comment periods.
Vote and Encourage Voting: Exercise your right to vote in all elections and encourage others to do the same. A politically engaged populace is more likely to successfully advocate for changes like RCV.
Fundraising and Donations: Consider fundraising or donating to organizations that support electoral reforms.
Remember, change often starts at the local level and with persistence can expand to state and national arenas.
RCV might be new to the American political scene, but it looks promising enough to spark discussion within our communities. And while I'm open to being schooled on blind spots I might have missed, I'm tracking RCV's progress and joining the conversation on whether this is a positive shift for our political system. What are your thoughts, are you for or against Ranked Choice Voting? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Resources
Other Perspectives - Groups Critical of RCV:
https://alaskapolicyforum.org/2020/10/failed-experiment-rcv/
