The future of elections: Ranked Choice Voting

A common topic during the public comment at the County Board of Commissioners meetings is how elections could be more perfect. Though I do not agree that voting machines should be retired, I do believe there is a better way to vote. Ranked Choice Voting gives citizens the opportunity to rank preferred candidates for a single office. If no candidate receives 50% of the vote, the candidate with the fewest votes is removed from the process, and the ballots with this candidate at the number one slot, have their votes cast for their number two choice. If a candidate now receives 50% of the vote, that candidate is declared the winner. If no candidate receives over 50% of the vote, the process continues until a winner is determined.

This modern evolution of voting promotes candidates with nuanced ideas, without the fear of splitting the vote. The animosity in elections is turned down, because it is just as important to come in second place as it is to not come in last. Most importantly, the prisoner's dilemma of casting a vote for the lesser of two evils is removed. Voters can confidently place their most qualified candidate at the top of their ballot and know their second choice vote would be counted if it swayed the election. This system has been implemented in 62 jurisdictions across the country, including Alaska, Maine, New York City, and San Francisco. As more people understand the benefits of Ranked Choice Voting, I'm sure it will be more common in the short term. I look forward to the day I vote with a ranked choice, myself.

To learn more about Ranked Choice Voting, check out the video below.