Ranked Choice Voting Draws Historic Voter Turnout in 2018 Midterms
Author: Rob Richie
The following blog is based on a new FairVote report on ranked choice voting elections in 2018
In the first half of 2018, nearly half a million voters ranked their choices in elections for the most important offices in their communities. Voters in Santa Fe, New Mexico elected their first full-time mayor, voters in San Francisco elected their mayor in a hotly-contested special, and voters in Maine ranked their choices in state and congressional primary elections – and then convincingly upheld ranked choice voting (RCV) in a statewide referendum.We’ve now seen RCV in action enough to know it works. Looking at the 2018 results shows:
- Voter turnout surpassed expectations.
- Implementation of RCV was smooth and inexpensive.
- Voters used the ballot well, ranking their choices and making few errors.
- Outcomes were fair, with winners earn both core and broad support.
Photo Credit: Rob Crandall / shutterstock.com
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