Ranked Choice Voting: A Controversial Electoral Process
Ranked choice voting (RCV) has emerged as a polarizing electoral process in recent elections. Proponents argue that RCV leads to a more representative electoral process and encourages voter engagement, while critics contend that it favors extreme candidates and disrupts the party system.
In RCV, voters rank candidates in order of preference. After the first round of tabulation, the candidate with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated, and their second-choice votes are added to the totals of the remaining candidates. This process continues until a candidate receives a majority of the votes.
RCV has been implemented in some states, including Alaska and Maine, and is being considered in others. In Alaska, RCV was used in the 2022 election, leading to the election of Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat. However, some Republicans have criticized RCV, arguing that it resulted in the election of a more liberal candidate in a traditionally Republican state.
In Maine, RCV was used in the 2018 election, leading to the surprise upset of incumbent Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin by Democrat Jared Golden. Golden’s campaign has stated that RCV is a “nonfactor” in his current race.
Despite its recent prevalence, RCV remains a controversial topic. Critics argue that it allows candidates with substantial outside financial support to have an advantage, as they can influence second and third choices. Additionally, critics claim that RCV leads to a more negative campaign environment, as candidates may feel the need to appeal to a broader range of voters in order to secure second or third-choice votes.
Supporters of RCV, however, argue that it encourages candidates to run on more moderate platforms in order to appeal to a broader range of voters. They also claim that it gives voters a greater voice in the election process, as they can rank their candidates in order of preference.
The debate over RCV is likely to continue as it is considered in more states. Critics and supporters alike present strong arguments, and it remains to be seen whether RCV will become more widely adopted in the United States.
