Ranked Choice Ballots

Ranked-choice voting (RCV), also known as preferential voting or instant-runoff voting (IRV) in some places, is an electoral system that allows voters to rank multiple candidates in order of preference on their ballots. It is designed to provide a more representative and  fairer way of electing candidates, particularly in single-winner elections like those for mayors, governors, or other single-seat  offices.

Elections that use a traditional, most-votes-wins approach ...

• Allow unpopular candidates to win elections. When three candidates are on the ballot, two similar moderate candidates can split the moderate vote (33% each) allowing an fringe candidate to win with just 34% of the vote even when most people would have been happier with one of the other two.
• Polarizes our politics by creating a binary either-or choice for voters. Politicians fight it out like boxers instead of building consensus from the center.
• Discourages third parties and independent candidates by making it very difficult for them to run for office let alone get elected. Voters don't want to "waste" their vote on a candidate that can't win.  

Before the internet and cable news, most people got their news from from moderate, main stream news sources that focused on good reporting and accuracy. With so many news channels, web sites, podcasters, and bloggers, people can find news sources and perspectives they want to hear with little regard for counter arguments or even reality. As voters get more polarized, so do our candidates. Traditional ballots reinforce the us vs. them mindset where winners take all and compromise is seen as weakness.

Here are some of the strongest arguments for implement ranked choice voting:

1. Majority Rule: RCV ensures that the winning candidate has the support of the majority of voters, as they need to secure more than 50% of the votes after the redistribution of preferences.
2. Fight for the Center: Encourages candidates to move toward the center to become a voters second or third options thus making it more likely that they will win.
3. Reduced Negative Campaigning: Candidates have an incentive to appeal to a broader range of voters, including those who might initially support other candidates. This can lead to more positive and issue-based campaigns.
4. Eliminates the "Spoiler" Effect: Third-party or independent candidates are less likely to be seen as spoilers since voters can rank them without fear of wasting their vote.
5. Enhanced Voter Choice: RCV allows voters to express their true preferences without worrying about strategic voting. They can vote for their favorite candidate first without fearing that doing so might help their least-preferred candidate win.
6. Promotes Civility: Candidates have an incentive to avoid alienating voters from other camps since they may need second or third-choice votes to win. This can lead to more civil and constructive campaigns.
7. Reduces the Need for Runoff Elections: In many traditional systems, if no candidate receives a majority in the first round, a costly and often low-turnout runoff election is required. RCV eliminates the need for such runoffs.
8. Saves Time and Money: RCV can be more cost-effective and efficient than holding multiple rounds of voting or runoff elections.

Here are some links that can tell you more about ranked choice voting:

• Wikipedia - Where is ranked choice voting used in the U.S.
• Fairvote.org - Promoting RCV and other reforms
• Time Magazine - "It could help prevent ever more polarized election campaigns, increase the number of women and minority candidates running for office, and  reduce negative campaigning."
• The Economist - "A simple reform might fix America’s dysfunctional politics"