In our current “pick one” system, when there are more than two candidates running, if you’re not sure your favorite has enough money or name recognition to win, you feel the pressure to abandon the candidate you really love to vote for a “front-runner” you like less instead, to avoid “throwing your vote away.”

With ranked choice voting, your vote is never wasted. If your favorite candidate lacks the support to win, your ballot automatically counts for your next choice. You can vote with your heart and your head at the same time.

Check out our Ranked Choice Voting Resource page for more materials to better understand RCV!

Ranked choice voting (RCV) — also known as instant runoff voting (IRV) — makes our elections better by allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference.

RCV is straightforward: Voters have the option to rank candidates in order of preference: first, second, third and so forth. Ballots that do not help voters’ top choices win count for their next choice.

Check out this video for an easy, quick explanation.

As of November 2023, 50 American jurisdictions have RCV in place, reaching approximately 13 million voters.

This includes 2 states, 3 counties, and 45 cities, several of which are using the “gold standard” of proportional RCV. Military and overseas voters cast RCV ballots in federal runoff elections in 6 states.

Check out this map here to see where RCV is currently used!

RCV means every vote counts, every voice heard and it also achieves the following:

It ensures majority support, decreases toxic campaigning, increases voter engagement, minimizes ‘lesser of two evils’ voting, increases representation of women, and increases representation of people of color. Read more about the benefits of RCV here.

We have two Ranked Choice Voting bills: House Bill 1178 and Senate Bill 729. Both bills would give municipalities *the option* to use RCV in their municipal elections! Learn more about our bills and how to lobby for RCV here.

There are many gets to get involved in our RCV campaign! Fill out this form here to get started!