Understanding Rank Choice Voting or Majority Vote (Part 2/4)
The Big Picture
Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) isn’t a new concept. It dates back to the late 18th century, was reinvented in the early 19th century, and was adopted in various European countries and Australia by the early 20th century. Australia has used RCV for its federal parliamentary elections since 1918.
Other countries, including Ireland and Papua New Guinea, use RCV for federal elections. Additionally, RCV is used in part in many more regions, including:
- Canada (Ontario)
- Hong Kong
- The United States (Alaska, Maine, and soon Nevada in 2026)
- Six U.S. states for military and overseas ballots
- Dozens of municipalities across fifteen U.S. states
Zooming In
Ensuring Majority Support
One of the primary advantages of RCV is that it ensures elected officials have broad support from the majority of voters. In a traditional first-past-the-post voting system, a candidate can win with only a small fraction of the total vote as long as they have more than any other candidate. This can lead to winners who do not truly reflect the will of the majority.
In contrast, RCV requires candidates to secure a majority of the votes to win. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed based on voters’ subsequent preferences. This process continues until a candidate reaches a majority.
Eliminating the Spoiler Effect
In traditional elections, third-party or less popular candidates can siphon votes away from a major candidate, potentially altering the outcome. This "spoiler effect" occurred in:
- The 1992 presidential election with Ross Perot
- The 2000 presidential election with Pat Buchanan
This effect leads to strategic voting, where voters feel compelled to choose the "lesser of two evils" rather than their true preference. RCV eliminates this problem by allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If their top choice is eliminated, their vote transfers to their next preferred candidate, ensuring their vote is not wasted.
Encouraging a More Diverse Candidate Field
By reducing the spoiler effect and fostering a more representative electoral process, RCV enhances opportunities for minority groups and non-mainstream candidates. Voters can rank candidates without fear of wasting their vote, increasing the likelihood that diverse perspectives are represented in government.
Boosting Voter Turnout
RCV can increase voter participation by providing a more satisfying voting experience. It consolidates two elections into one, reducing the need for costly and often low-turnout runoff elections. Voters feel empowered to support their preferred candidates without worrying about inadvertently helping elect someone they oppose. This increased engagement can lead to higher overall turnout.
Making Elections More Cost-Efficient
In states like California and Louisiana, where jungle primaries are used, or in states like Georgia that require runoffs, RCV allows for a single election instead of two rounds of voting. Even in states that only hold runoff elections for primaries, RCV eliminates the additional costs associated with running a second election.
RCV Is Simple and Effective
While some may perceive RCV as complex, voters quickly adapt to the system. It offers a cost-effective way to maintain high voter engagement while giving people more choices. By ranking candidates, voters ensure their district elects a representative with true majority support.
Independent Lens
Ranked Choice Voting is a game-changer for independent voters. It removes the need to vote for "the candidate that sucks the least" and allows voters to choose candidates they truly support. By improving electoral representation and eliminating unnecessary runoffs, RCV creates a system where every vote counts more effectively.
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