Learn More About Ranked Choice Voting – CT Voters First

WHERE IS RCV USED?

14 Million Voters in 29 Red and Blue States Use RCV

Party Primaries/Caucuses

One or both of the major parties use RCV in regular party primaries, conventions or caucuses in 16 states including POTUS primaries in six states.

Military, Overseas and Municipal

In an additional 13 states — “red” and “blue” alike — RCV is used for military and overseas voters or in one or more municipal elections.

INTERNATIONALLY

RCV has long been used in federal and party elections in Australia, in certain elections in Northern Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand and India, in party elections in Canada, for the Mayor of London, in the Academy Awards and elsewhere.

Will Voters Find RCV Confusing?

Voters who have used RCV find it easy and intuitive: “It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3”
RCV voters prefer it; 9 in 10 use the power to rank in major elections
RCV ballot error rates are low; no greater than in any other form of voting

DOES RCV VIOLATE 'ONE PERSON — ONE VOTE'?

No. That argument violates one person-one vote “mischaracterizes the actual operation’ of RCV” (CT Attorney General William Tong; January 2024)
In the words of CT Attorney General Tong, courts that have examined the issue has “rightly rejected this argument” and upheld RCV
Every vote counts one time, and one time only

DOES RCV IGNORE BALLOTS AND CREATE FAKE MAJORITIES?

All RCV votes are counted equally and as they have been cast, never ignored
In RCV, every voter has the same opportunity to participate
The suggestion that RCV counts votes unequally or deprives some people of the vote “again mischaracterizes RCV.” (CT AG Tong, Jan. 2024)
“[T]he important question is whether voters have an equal opportunity to cast a vote. In RCV, they do.” (CT AG Tong, Jan. 2024)

DOES RCV FAVOR ONE PARTY OVER THE OTHER OR HURT PARTIES IN GENERAL?

RCV in caucuses, conventions and primaries produces consensus candidates who have broad support
RCV caucuses, conventions and primaries produce better candidates and improve party performance in general elections
RCV strengthens parties through competition, and benefits all voters
RCV results in majority rule — the whole point of representative democracy

LET'S BUILD A BETTER FUTURE TOGETHER