RANKED

CHOICE

VOTING

AKA

INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING

RCV IS SIMPLE, COMMONSENSE AND NONPARTISAN

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.

RANKED

CHOICE

VOTING

AKA

INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING

RCV IS SIMPLE, COMMONSENSE & NONPARTISAN

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.

Here is a document that includes proposed legislation to implement Ranked Choice Voting in elections in Connecticut.

RANKED

CHOICE

VOTING

AKA

INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING

RCV IS SIMPLE, COMMONSENSE AND NONPARTISAN

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.

Here is a document that includes proposed legislation to implement Ranked Choice Voting in elections in Connecticut.

EMPOWERING VOTERS AND
DEFENDING OUR DEMOCRACY

There is significant and growing bi-partisan momentum for RCV legislation in Connecticut that would enable the political parties to use RCV in their primaries, give municipalities the option to use RCV and provide for RCV in elections to the US Congress. Governor Lamont has publicly pledged to bring the benefits of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) to Connecticut. 

HOW IT WORKS

Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is a method of voting that allows voters to rank more than one candidate in order of preference on the ballot (Ist Choice, 2nd Choice, etc.), eliminating the need to conduct separate runoff elections to produce a majority winner.

If a candidate receives more than half of the first choices, that candidate wins just like in any other election.

If there is no majority winner after counting first choices, the race is decided by “instant runoff.”  The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and voters who picked that losing candidate will have their votes count for their next choice.

The process of eliminating losing candidates continues until two candidates remain, and the majority candidate wins.

WHAT IS RCV?

HOW IT WORKS

RCV is a method of voting where the voter can rank more than one candidate in order of preference on the ballot (1st Choice, 2nd Choice, etc.) and eliminate the need to conduct separate runoff elections.If a candidate receives more than half of the first choices, that candidate wins just like in any other election.

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.

EMPOWERS

voters to rank more than one candidate.

With more choice, voters have a stronger voice in the outcome of elections and greater confidence their vote will make a difference.

 

PROMOTES

competition and voter choice

RCV eliminates strategic voting, vote “splintering,” “wasted” votes and the “spoiler” effect.

IMPROVES

voter engagement and satisfaction

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.

REWARDS

positive campaigning

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. 

BUILDS

consensus

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.  

RESOURCES

RCV IN

PRIMARIES

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.

Will Voters Find RCV Confusing?

• 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.

DOES RCV VIOLATE 'ONE PERSON — ONE VOTE'?

• Every court that has examined the issue has upheld RCV.

• Every vote counts one time, and one time only.

 

DOES RCV IGNORE BALLOTS AND CREATE FAKE MAJORITIES?

• RCV majorities are just as real as in any runoff election. • All RCV votes are counted equally and as cast, never ignored • In RCV, every voter has the same opportunity to participate.

DOES RCV FAVOR ONE PARTY OVER THE OTHER OR HURT PARTIES IN GENERAL?

• 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.

WHERE IS RCV USED?

RCV is used around the world, and increasingly in the United States.

Party Primaries/Caucuses

One or both of the major parties use RCV in regular party primaries, conventions or caucuses in 16 states including POTUS primaries in six states.

Military, Overseas and Municipal

In an additional 13 states —“red” and “blue” alike — RCV is used for military and overseas voters or in one or more municipal elections.  

INTERNATIONALLY

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.

In addition to Connecticut’s Congressman Jim Himes, other politicians have spoken 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.

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.

WHERE IS RCV USED?

RCV (aka Instant Runoff Voting) is used around the world, and increasingly in the United States.

STATE PARTIES

In 2020, 6 Democratic state parties used RCV for their presidential primary elections: Alaska, Nevada, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, and Wyoming.

 

MILITARY AND OVERSEAS

Six states currently use RCV for military and overseas voters in federal runoff elections.


INTERNATIONALLY

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.

WHERE IS RCV USED?

RCV (aka Instant Runoff Voting) is used around the world, and increasingly in the United States.

RCV IS POPULAR AND WIDELY USED

STATE PARTIES

In 2020, 6 Democratic state parties used RCV for their presidential primary elections: Alaska, Nevada, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, and Wyoming.

 

MILITARY AND OVERSEAS

Six states currently use RCV for military and overseas voters in federal runoff elections.


INTERNATIONALLY

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.

RCV MAKES A

DIFFERENCE

VOTERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE POWER RCV GIVES THEM

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.

RCV WINNERS ENJOY DEMONSTRABLY BROAD SUPPORT

VOTERS UNDERSTAND
Ranked Choice Voting

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.

Rates of ballot error are low; no greater than in non-RCV races.

RCV MAKES A

DIFFERENCE

VOTERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE POWER RCV GIVES THEM

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.

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 Ranked Choice Voting

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.

RCV MAKES A

DIFFERENCE

VOTERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE POWER RCV GIVES THEM

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.

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 Ranked Choice Voting

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.

RCV IS

NON-PARTISAN

RCV is a
nonpartisan reform

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

NON
PARTISAN

RCV is a nonpartisan reform 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.

ABOUT

US

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.

Our initial focus is adopting Ranked Choice Voting in Connecticut.

WHO WE ARE

Danielle

Chesebrough

Monte

Frank

Maryfrances

Metrick

Henry

Rowland

Bishop John

SELDERS

Javier

Serra

Michael

Garman

holden

culotta