Ranked Choice Voting – The Answer to What Ails Us
By Rose Johnson, Philadelphia, MarchOnHarrisburg Ranked Choice Voting Team
Do you feel dissatisfied with elections in Pennsylvania? Many people do.
Some feel there’s too much negativity. Or they want a third party candidate but are afraid of wasting their vote. Some are turned off by the feeling that elections are too dominated by small groups at the extremes.
If you can relate, take heart! Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) offers a solution to these problems and has the potential to create better elections in our state.
Let’s explore how Ranked Choice Voting can help Pennsylvania improve its elections, restore voter confidence, and create a more inclusive and representative democracy.
First, What is Ranked Choice Voting?
A Ranked Choice Voting 101 presentation we did back in April of 2023.
Like many (but not all!) states, Pennsylvania mandates a winner-take-all system; the candidate with the most votes wins the election even if they are not supported by a majority of the voters. A few states use run-off elections if no candidate reaches 50% of the vote, but these are expensive and time consuming, and often the run-off gets lower voter participation.
Used by two state governments and nearly 50 local governments across the country, Ranked Choice Voting is essentially an instant runoff. Voters rank candidates rather than choosing only one. After the first round of tabulation, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. But instead of voters for that candidate losing out, their votes are assigned to their second choice pick. This continues until one candidate gains a majority of the vote.
Ranked Choice Voting can lead to…
Greater Voter Choice and Representation
Have you ever wanted to vote for a third party candidate but were afraid of wasting your vote or spending it on a “spoiler”? In a crowded primary field, have you ever chosen the “least bad” of the leading candidates because “one of those leading candidates was going to win anyway”?
Under Ranked Choice Voting, voters can express their support for third-party or lower polling candidates without fear of their vote being "wasted."
With RCV, if their preferred candidate doesn't win, their vote is automatically transferred to their next choice, ensuring that the final result reflects the majority’s preferences, not just the plurality. And knowing that votes won’t be wasted may give more voters the confidence to vote for who they truly want rather than voting strategically. This could lead to more diverse candidates running for office – especially those who represent marginalized communities or those who challenge the traditional two-party system – helping to better reflect the electorate's true values and desires.
By adopting RCV, Pennsylvania could eliminate the spoiler effect and ensure that every vote is counted meaningfully, whether it's for a Democrat, Republican, independent, or third-party candidate.
More Positive Campaigns
Political campaigns in Pennsylvania often turn negative and divisive. Attack ads, misinformation, and polarizing rhetoric can dominate – especially in high-stakes elections. Going negative can be a winning strategy under the current system because candidates know they only need a plurality of votes. They motivate their base and many people in the middle hold their nose and vote because they feel they only have two “real” choices.
RCV has the potential to shift the tone of political campaigns. Candidates are incentivized to appeal to voters beyond their base in order to gain second or third-choice votes; therefore, the system encourages more positive campaigning and collaboration. Instead of focusing on vilifying opponents, candidates are more likely to focus on offering solutions to the state’s most pressing issues, knowing that they need to earn broad-based support to succeed.
By incentivizing candidates to be more respectful, RCV helps reduce the polarization that has taken root in our politics and could lead to more constructive political discourse in Pennsylvania.
Higher Voter Turnout
Pennsylvania has historically struggled with voter turnout, especially in off-year and local elections. Many voters feel that their voices are drowned out by the dominance of the two-party system and the strength of the party establishment itself. In an era of political disillusionment, voter apathy is at an all-time high – especially among young people and disenfranchised communities who often feel unrepresented by traditional party politics.
Ranked Choice Voting can address these issues by giving voters more meaningful choices. When voters can rank candidates by preference, they feel more empowered to vote for candidates who truly align with their values, rather than just holding their nose and voting for the "least bad." This makes elections more engaging and could increase voter turnout across all demographics, especially among younger voters who may be more likely to support third-party candidates.
RCV would also likely lead to more competitive races – more “real” choices – which tends to increase voter interest and engagement. When elections are contested with candidates who represent a wide variety of views, voters are more likely to feel that their participation matters.
Assurance of Broad Support
Pennsylvania is a diverse state, with a wide range of political beliefs and identities. Yet urban centers like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh lean Democratic, and rural areas lean Republican – often to the extent that the real decision is made during the primary, with general elections being just a formality. This can lead to candidates winning in a crowded primary field and then winning the general election even though they have a very small base of support. Though candidates like this may claim they have a mandate for action, do they?
By taking into account voters’ second and third choice preferences, Ranked Choice Voting is more likely to produce elected officials with a broad base of support. This makes it easier for these officials to take action while in office and bring about the changes a majority of voters support.
Conclusion: It’s Time for Change in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s electoral system is in need of reform. The state is too diverse and too important to continue using a system that limits voter choice, encourages negative campaigning, and doesn’t always reflect the true will of the people. Plus, the people of Pennsylvania just deserve better! Ranked Choice Voting offers a path forward – a way to empower voters, increase competition, reduce polarization, and ensure that the winning candidate has the broad-based support of the majority.
MarchOnHarrisburg is currently working to make Ranked Choice Voting a reality in Pennsylvania. Since 2016, March on Harrisburg has been working to get money out of Pennsylvania politics and bring more people in. We will be introducing bills in the Pennsylvania State House and State Senate to allow municipalities to use RCV in local elections, and we’re pushing to bring it statewide. If you agree that Ranked Choice Voting would improve PA politics, let your state legislators know, and join us in our fight.
It’s time for Pennsylvania to embrace Ranked Choice Voting and take a significant step toward a more democratic and representative political system. Let's make sure every vote counts, and every voice is heard.