Ranked choice voting (RCV), also known as instant runoff voting, is a voting system that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than choosing just one. This system aims to create elections that better reflect voter preferences, promote positive campaigning, and reduce the likelihood of “spoiler” candidates affecting the outcomes.
How Ranked Choice Voting Works
In an RCV election, voters rank the candidates by preference: first, second, third, and so on. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. Voters who selected the eliminated candidate as their first choice then have their votes count for their second choice. This process continues in rounds until a candidate achieves a majority.
Advantages of Ranked Choice Voting
- Promotes Majority Support: RCV ensures that winners have majority support, even if it requires multiple rounds of counting.
- Discourages Negative Campaigning: Candidates are incentivized to appeal to a broader audience, including those supporting their opponents, to gain second or third-choice votes.
- Reduces Strategic Voting: Voters can rank candidates sincerely without worrying about “wasting” their vote on less popular candidates.
- Encourages Diverse Representation: RCV can lower barriers for women and candidates of color, as it allows multiple candidates to compete without fear of vote splitting.
Ranked choice voting is currently used in several U.S. jurisdictions, including Maine and Alaska statewide, and in various cities across the country.
Disadvantages of Ranked Choice Voting
- Complexity for Voters: One of the most significant criticisms of ranked choice voting is that it can be more complicated for voters to understand, especially those who are used to the simplicity of choosing just one candidate. This complexity may discourage participation or lead to improperly filled out ballots.
- Cost and Implementation: Implementing ranked choice voting can be costly and require substantial changes to election infrastructure. Jurisdictions might need new voting equipment, software updates, and comprehensive voter education campaigns, which can strain budgets and resources.
- Longer Counting Process: Ranking candidates can result in a lengthier counting and tabulation process, particularly in close races or elections with many candidates. This delay might affect how quickly results are reported, which can frustrate both candidates and voters eager to learn the outcome.
- Potential for Exhausted Ballots: In certain cases, if voters do not rank enough candidates, their ballots can become “exhausted” if all of their choices are eliminated before the final rounds. This can result in the disenfranchisement of those voters whose preferences are not entirely captured in the final outcome.
- Challenges in Voter Education: Educating voters about this alternative voting system requires a well-organized and continuous outreach effort. Without adequate understanding, voters may feel overwhelmed or leave sections of the ballot blank, affecting the accuracy and representation of the election results.
Ranked Choice Voting in Colorado: Proposition 131
Colorado is considering the implementation of ranked choice voting through Proposition 131, set for the ballot on November 5, 2024. This measure proposes establishing a top-four primary system and using RCV for general elections for offices such as the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, governor, and others.
Design and Scope of Proposition 131
Proposition 131 aims to create an all-candidate primary election where the top four vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election. In the general election, voters would rank these candidates, and RCV would determine the winner. This system is designed to foster a more inclusive and representative electoral process.
Support and Opposition
The campaign supporting Proposition 131 is led by Colorado Voters First, with endorsements from organizations like FairVote and the League of Women Voters of Colorado. Proponents argue that the measure will enhance voter choice and reduce political polarization. Supporters include former House Speaker Terrance Carroll and business figures like Kent Thiry.
Opposition comes from groups like First Choice Counts and figures such as U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert. Critics claim that the initiative is backed by wealthy interests and could disadvantage certain candidates. The opposition highlights concerns over potential manipulation of the electoral process by moneyed interests.
While ranked choice voting aims to create more inclusive and representative elections, its implementation in Colorado through Proposition 131 is not without concerns. The complexities associated with this voting system may lead to voter confusion and decreased participation, and the potential costs could be a burden on local jurisdictions. Critics also argue that RCV may allow wealthier interests to shape election outcomes, possibly disadvantaging certain candidates. As Colorado evaluates Proposition 131, it’s important to weigh these possible downsides against the intended benefits, ensuring any changes to the electoral process genuinely reflect and serve the will of the electorate.
For more detailed information, resources like FairVote, RCV for Colorado, and Ballotpedia provide comprehensive insights into the workings and implications of ranked choice voting.
Sources
Ranked Choice Voting
Ranked Choice Voting
Ranked Choice Voting for Colorado – More Choice, More Voice
Colorado Proposition 131, Top-Four Ranked-Choice …
Colorado voters to weigh in on ranked choice voting
At Colorado’s Voice, we are big fans of the work of Jon Caldara and the Independence Institute. We suggest subscribing to the podcast for and watching the YouTube associated with Jon’s program, Devil’s Advocate. In the episode embedded below, Jon sits down with Kent Thiry, one of the main proponents of Ranked Choice voting, to discuss the issue. We benefited from and enjoyed the conversation and we think you will, too.
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