Why Ranked Choice Voting (RCV)?

Let’s talk about Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). It’s a voting system that’s making elections fairer for millions of Americans—nearly 20 million, in fact! But what’s so great about it? Here are a few key benefits:

1. Winners need majority support: With RCV, winners have to get over 50% of the vote. That means they can’t just squeak by with a small slice of support.
2. Better campaigning: Candidates can’t just play to their base—they have to appeal to more people. This means fewer nasty attack ads and more focus on real issues.
3. No more “spoiler” candidates: Ever felt like voting for your favorite candidate might “waste” your vote or hurt your second choice? RCV fixes that. You rank your choices, and if your top pick doesn’t win, that candidate is eliminated, and your vote can still count for your next choice.  This enables broader discussion from a wider range of candidates.
4. Saves money and increases turnout: RCV skips the need for costly runoffs, which often have low voter participation.

In North Carolina, this kind of change could make a big difference. Right now, primary winners can take office with just 33% of the vote, and Raleigh City Council races can be won with only 20%. That’s not a true majority. RCV ensures fairer outcomes without the downsides of traditional runoffs.

Success stories in 2024

RCV made some exciting progress this year! Here’s where it won big:

• Washington, D.C.: Voters said yes to RCV with a whopping 73% support. Starting in 2026, it’ll be used for federal and local elections.
• Alaska: Voters kept RCV by a hair—a 743-vote margin! Having been used for four years now, t’s already proving itself as a fair and non-partisan system.
• Oak Park and Peoria, Illinois: Both places adopted RCV for local elections, giving voters more power and better results.
• Richmond, California: Voters embraced RCV for local races, adding to the growing trend of cities making the switch.

Lessons from setbacks

Not everything went smoothly for RCV in 2024. Some states tried to combine RCV with other major changes, like open primaries or “top-four” systems, and those proposals didn’t pass.

Why? Well, bundling RCV with other reforms may have made things feel too complicated for voters and prompted strong partisan efforts against primary reforms. The good news? When RCV is presented on its own, it tends to win strong support. That’s a big takeaway for the future.

Why RCV matters in elections

RCV could completely transform elections. Take our home state of North Carolina, for example. Right now, candidates can win with as little as 33% of the vote. That leaves a lot of voters feeling left out. Here’s how RCV changes the game:

• Majority support: Candidates have to get more than 50% of the vote to win.
• No costly runoffs: RCV figures it all out in one election, saving money and avoiding low-turnout runoffs.
• No wasted votes: You can rank your choices, so even if your favorite doesn’t win, your vote still counts.
• Better engagement: When voters know their voices matter, they’re more likely to show up.

In general elections, RCV also ensures that winners truly represent the majority. Candidates are motivated to reach beyond their base and run more positive, inclusive campaigns. That’s better for everyone.

The future of RCV

The successes in 2024—from D.C. to Alaska—show that voters are ready for a better way to elect their leaders. RCV makes elections fairer, ensures majority support, and helps reduce political division.

The setbacks also taught us something important: RCV works best when it’s not bundled with other reforms. Keeping the focus on RCV’s benefits helps voters see why it’s worth adopting.

Looking ahead, the goal is simple: give every voter a stronger voice and make sure every vote counts. Whether it’s for primaries or general elections, RCV is a step toward making democracy work better.

With more communities embracing this change, we can look forward to a future where elections are fairer, more inclusive, and truly reflect the will of the people. Let’s keep the momentum going.

To learn more about Ranked Choice Voting, visit Rank the Vote and Better Ballot NC.