The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for July 8, 2025
In a recent report, we told you that 96% of New York City voters found ranked choice voting easy to use and liked that it gave voters more options. So why have 17 states banned ranked choice voting, including five just this year?
Pro-voter groups tout RCV because it allows voters to choose a favorite candidate without being a spoiler, can reduce negative ads and rhetoric, and eliminates expensive runoff elections.
Alaska implemented ranked choice and open primaries in 2022’s Congressional race. But after upstart Democrat Mary Peltola defeated former Republican governor Sarah Palin, RCV was blamed. A resolution by the Republican National Committee opposing RCV nationally followed, and Alaska voters had to beat back a repeal initiative in 2024.
While used in Maine, Alaska, DC and 47 municipalities nationwide, 17 red states have now banned it. Party leadership and the RNC resolution argue that RCV is hard to understand and suppresses turnout. But where it’s been implemented, voter satisfaction is often over 80%. In the New York City primary, 9 of 10 voters said they understood it, and turnout was the highest in decades.
Organizers have more work to do. Voters defeated pro-RCV ballot measures in five states last year.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
The Hill – Republicans rage against ranked choice voting after Alaska election
Republican Nation Committee – RESOLUTION TO OFFICIALLY OPPOSE RANKED CHOICE VOTING ACROSS
THE COUNTRY
Alaska Beacon – Defeat of Alaska voting system repeal, Wasilla area House outcome are unchanged after recount
American Constitution Society – Ranked Choice Voting: Lessons in Democracy Reform from New York
National Conference of State Legislatures – This Year’s Election Bills Focus On Citizenship, Ranked Choice Voting
American Democracy Minute – Ranked Choice Voting Gets High Marks in NYC Primary, with 96% Finding it Easy to Use and 82% Ranking at Least 2 Candidates
Fair Vote – New surveys: Voters love ranked choice voting
MIT Election Data & Science Lab – (2021) The Effect of Ranked-Choice Voting in Maine
Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center – How Ranked Choice Voting Works
Groups Taking Action:
FairVote, Represent.Us, Common Cause
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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