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Ranked-choice voting (RCV) can refer to one of several ranked voting methods used in some cities and states in the United States. The term is not strictly defined, but most often refers to instant-runoff voting (IRV) or single transferable vote (STV).
RCV is used for state primary, congressional, and presidential elections in Maine; and for state, congressional, and presidential general elections in Alaska. It is used for local elections in 47 US cities including Salt Lake City and Seattle.[2] It is also used by the Virginia, Utah, and Indiana Republican parties in state conventions and primaries.[3][4][5] As a contingency in the case of a runoff election, RCV ballots are used by overseas voters in six states.[2]
RCV is used in American non-governmental elections as well. Examples include student elections at approximately 95 colleges and universities, along with elections for officers in professional associations, such as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars), American Chemical Society, American Philosophical Association, and Society of Actuaries.[2]
Between 1912 and 1930 limited forms of RCV, typically with only two rankings, were implemented but later repealed,[6] as has also occurred in some cities in the 21st century.[7][8][9] Cambridge, MA started using Ranked-choice voting in 1941 for its city council elections. The Bay Area and Minnesota have a relatively large number of cities using the system.[10]
Ranked-choice voting has been seen by supporters as a much-needed boost to America's democracy as a way to remove toxicity and expand choice. Opponents have noted research finding that IRV tends to disenfranchise poor, minority, and uneducated voters through improper ballot use.[11] Because 94% of first-round IRV winners ultimately win the election (and such rates would likely be higher if voters strategically vote for the lesser-evil under plurality), ignoring races with only one or two candidates, disenfranchisement may not always be offset by greater fidelity to the popular opinion.[12]
- ^ "WHERE IS RCV USED?". RCV Resources. Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Where is Ranked Choice Voting Used?". FairVote. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ "Perspective | How ranked-choice voting saved the Virginia GOP from itself". Washington Post. November 5, 2021. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Ranked Choice Voting in Utah". Utah Ranked Choice Voting. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "2020 State Convention". The Indiana Republican Party. May 20, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ Hoag, Clarence Gilbert (1914). Effective Voting: An Article on Preferential Voting and Proportional Representation. U.S. Government Printing Office.
- ^ "Pierce voters nix 'ranked-choice voting' – From Our Corner". blogs.sos.wa.gov. November 10, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
- ^ McCrea, Lynne (March 3, 2010). "Burlington Voters Repeal Instant Runoff Voting". Vermont Public Radio. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
- ^ Wackerle, Curtis (November 3, 2010). "City voters repeal IRV". Aspen Daily News. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
- ^ Parks, Miles (December 13, 2023). "Ranked choice is 'the hot reform' in democracy. Here's what you should know about it". NPR.
- ^ Cormack, Lindsey (2024). "More Choices, More Problems? Ranked Choice Voting Errors in New York City". American Politics Research. 52 (3): 306–319. doi:10.1177/1532673X231220640. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ "Research and data on RCV in practice". FariVote. FairVote. Retrieved June 23, 2024.