Our current system of voting leaves many of us feeling unheard and fuels division that results in partisan gridlock, uncompetitive elections and shuts out independent voices.
It’s time to reform elections so that we can build bridges, empower solutions and ensure that all voters matter.
Our current system of voting leaves many of us feeling unheard and fuels division that results in partisan gridlock, uncompetitive elections and shuts out independent voices.
It’s time to reform elections so that we can build bridges, empower solutions and ensure that all voters matter.
Our current system of voting leaves many of us feeling unheard and fuels division that results in partisan gridlock, uncompetitive elections and shuts out independent voices.
It’s time to reform elections so that we can build bridges, empower solutions and ensure that all voters matter.
However, if there is no majority winner after counting first choices, the race is decided by “instant runoff.”
The candidate with fewest votes is eliminated, and voters who picked that candidate as “number 1’ will have their votes count for their next choice. This process continues until two candidates remain, and the majority candidate wins.
With more choice, voters have a stronger voice in the outcome of elections and greater confidence their vote will make a difference.
RCV eliminates strategic voting, vote “splintering,” “wasted” votes and the “spoiler” effect.
With more viable candidates on the ballot and greater voter power and voice, voters participate more fully in our electoral process.
Voters who have used RCV prefer it.
Candidates do best when they appeal to a broader range of voters.
Negative attacks may alienate voters and lose crucial 2nd and 3rd choice support the candidate needs to win in an RCV election.
By ensuring that a candidate wins with the support of a majority, RCV eliminates the cost and prevents candidates from winning only by appealing to a narrow base.
The benefits of RCV are particularly pronounced in a presidential primary because of the large number of candidates the presidential primaries often draw.
RCV HAS PARTICULAR VALUE WHEN USED IN PARTY PRIMARIES
• Voters can express honest preferences without fear that their vote will be wasted or will help the candidate(s) they like the least.
• Candidates with similar ideologies or backgrounds don’t have to worry that they are dividing support.
• All candidates are incentivized to build inclusive campaigns to appeal broadly and not merely to a single “base.”
• The candidates with the broadest support come out on top and every voter’s voice is heard.
THE OPTION TO RANK MULTIPLE CANDIDATES BENEFITS BOTH VOTERS AND CANDIDATES AND PRODUCES MORE REPRESENTATIVE RESULTS.
VOTERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE POWER RCV GIVES THEM
• When given the opportunity, over two thirds of voters choose to rank candidates rather than choosing just one.
• A majority of ballots use the maximum number of rankings allowed.
• 9 in 10 voters exercise their power to rank in major elections.
RCV WINNERS ENJOY DEMONSTRABLY BROAD SUPPORT
• Winners of RCV races tend to be ranked highly on many ballots, even beyond the majority needed to be elected.
• 67% of ballots typically rank the winning candidate in their top three choices.
VOTERS UNDERSTAND RCV
• With modern ballot design, 99.8% of voters regularly cast valid RCV ballots.
• Ballot error rate is comparable or lower than in non-RCV races.
• Voters who have used RCV find it as “easy as 1, 2, 3.”
• RCV voters prefer it; 9 in 10 use the power to rank in major elections.
• Rates of ballot error in RCV are low and no greater than in any other form of voting.
• Every court that has examined the issue has upheld RCV.
• Every vote counts one time, and one time only.
• RCV results in majority rule — the whole point of representative democracy.
• RCV produces consensus candidates who have broad support.
• RCV primaries improves party performance in general elections.
• RCV strengthens parties. through competition and benefits all voters.
RCV has long been used in federal and party elections in Australia, in certain elections in Northern Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand and India, in party elections in Canada, for the Mayor of London, in the Academy Awards and elsewhere.
U.S. House Representative Jim Himes sponsored RCV legislation.
9 Nobel Laureates recommend RCV.
10 winners of the Johan Skytte Prize (the “Nobel” of political science) support use of RCV to improve representation.
Leading political scientists, newspapers and journals worldwide, such as Connecticut’s The Day, have advocated for RCV.
In 2020, 6 Democratic state parties used RCV for their presidential primary elections: Alaska, Nevada, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, and Wyoming.
Six states currently use RCV for military and overseas voters in federal runoff elections.
RCV has long been used in federal and party elections in Australia, for the President of Ireland, in party elections in Canada, for the Mayor of London, in the Academy Awards and elsewhere.
Other American politicians have spoken out on the benefits of RCV including former Illinois Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger, Senator Elizabeth Warren, former President Obama, Andrew Yang, former Republican Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, Libertarian Party presidential nominee Jo Jorgensen, former Florida Republican Representative David Jolly and former Republican Governor of Utah Gary Herbert, among others.
U.S. House Representative Jim Himes sponsored RCV legislation.
9 Nobel Laureates recommend RCV.
10 winners of the Johan Skytte Prize (the “Nobel” of political science) support use of RCV to improve representation.
Leading political scientists, newspapers and journals worldwide, such as Connecticut’s The Day, have advocated for RCV.
In 2020, 6 Democratic state parties used RCV for their presidential primary elections: Alaska, Nevada, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, and Wyoming.
Six states currently use RCV for military and overseas voters in federal runoff elections.
RCV has long been used in federal and party elections in Australia, for the President of Ireland, in party elections in Canada, for the Mayor of London, in the Academy Awards and elsewhere.
Other American politicians have spoken out on the benefits of RCV including former Illinois Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger, Senator Elizabeth Warren, former President Obama, Andrew Yang, former Republican Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, Libertarian Party presidential nominee Jo Jorgensen, former Florida Republican Representative David Jolly and former Republican Governor of Utah Gary Herbert, among others.
U.S. House Representative Jim Himes sponsored RCV legislation.
9 Nobel Laureates recommend RCV.
10 winners of the Johan Skytte Prize (the “Nobel” of political science) support use of RCV to improve representation.
Leading political scientists, newspapers and journals worldwide, such as Connecticut’s The Day, have advocated for RCV.
Given the choice, most voters prefer to rank candidates rather than selecting just one.
67% of Ranked Choice Voting ballots rank at least two candidates.
50% of ballots use the maximum number of rankings allowed.
In major elections, 9 in 10 voters exercise their power to rank.
Winners of RCV races tend to be ranked highly on many ballots, even beyond the majority needed to be elected.
67% of ballots typically rank the winning candidate in their top three choices.
With modern ballot design, 99.8% of voters regularly cast valid RCV ballots.
Given the choice, most voters prefer to rank candidates rather than selecting just one.
67% of Ranked Choice Voting ballots rank at least two candidates.
50% of ballots use the maximum number of rankings allowed.
In major elections, 9 in 10 voters exercise their power to rank.
Winners of RCV races tend to be ranked highly on many ballots, even beyond the majority needed to be elected.
67% of ballots typically rank the winning candidate in their top three choices.
With modern ballot design, 99.8% of voters regularly cast valid RCV ballots.
Ballot error rate is comparable or lower than in non-RCV races.
Given the choice, most voters prefer to rank candidates rather than selecting just one.
67% of Ranked Choice Voting ballots rank at least two candidates.
50% of ballots use the maximum number of rankings allowed.
In major elections, 9 in 10 voters exercise their power to rank.
Winners of RCV races tend to be ranked highly on many ballots, even beyond the majority needed to be elected.
67% of ballots typically rank the winning candidate in their top three choices.
With modern ballot design, 99.8% of voters regularly cast valid RCV ballots.
Ballot error rate is comparable or lower than in non-RCV races.
favored by Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated voters alike.
RCV is popular because it will help build consensus and put an end to the growing division and polarization of America.
At all levels of government, hyper partisanship prevents elected representatives from working together effectively to solve the real problems facing our communities.
Americans are eager to find shared ground, but our current plurality system of elections encourages division and discourages consensus.
RCV advocates are united by a shared desire for solutions that put voters first for a more representative and functional government.
RCV is popular because it will help build consensus and put an end to the growing division and polarization of America.
At all levels of government, hyper partisanship prevents elected representatives from working together effectively to solve the real problems facing our communities.
Americans are eager to find shared ground, but our current plurality system of elections encourages division and discourages consensus.
RCV advocates are united by a shared desire for solutions that put voters first for a more representative and functional government.
Our singular focus is passing Ranked Choice) Voting legislation in Connecticut.
Members of our Advisors Council and their allies were instrumental in persuading Governor Lamont to support advancing RCV through CTVF initiated, bi-partisan legislation.
Where Instant Runoff Voting has been adopted, it has increased the number of viable candidates, increased voter participation, reduced extremism, improved the character of campaigns and assured that the winning candidate had the support of the majority of voters and not merely that of the largest or most active minority.
