BENEFITS OF RCV

EMPOWERS

voters to choose the candidates they like the best

With more choice, voters have a stronger voice in the outcome of elections and greater confidence their vote will make a difference.

PROMOTES

competition and voter choice

RCV eliminates strategic voting, vote “splintering,” “wasted” votes and the “spoiler” effect.

IMPROVES

voter engagement and satisfaction

With more viable candidates on the ballot and greater voter power and voice, voters participate more fully in our electoral process.

Voters who have used RCV prefer it.

REWARDS

positive campaigning

Candidates do best when they appeal to a broader range of voters. 

Negative attacks may alienate voters and lose crucial 2nd and 3rd choice support the candidate needs to win in an RCV election. 

BUILDS

consensus

By ensuring that a candidate wins with the support of a majority, RCV eliminates the cost and prevents candidates from winning only by appealing to a narrow base.  

Our Politics Today: Single Choice Voting

  • Plurality sufficient for a candidate to win; majority support not required
  • Vote “splintering” empowers candidates supported only by a minority
  • “Spoiler” effect deters candidates and impedes competition
  • “Wasted vote” dilemma limits voter choice
  • System rewards negative campaigning and fuels “zero sum” politics

RCV Voters Rank Candidates in Order of Preference and Are Not Limited to a Single Choice

RCV Ballot Example

RCV Solves the Problems With Single Choice Voting

Single Choice Voting

 

vs.

Ranked Choice Voting

No majority needed

vs.

Majority needed to win

Vote splintering

vs.

Vote splintering eliminated

Spoiler factor

vs.

Spoiler factor removed

Limits choice to top two

vs.

Gives voters more choice

Rewards negative campaigning

vs.

Rewards civility, focus on issues & consensus building

Low voter satisfaction

vs.

Improves voter engagement and satisfaction