Republican States Turn Against Ranked Choice Voting
In a growing trend, 17 Republican-controlled states have enacted bans on ranked choice voting (RCV), a system that focuses on providing voters with more options and encouraging centrist candidates. Iowa recently became the latest state to adopt this stance, joining Arkansas, Kansas, North Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming in 2023. Notably, none of these states have ever implemented RCV.
In Utah, where a pilot program has been running for seven years, interest in RCV has sharply declined. The number of cities participating has plummeted from 23 in 2021 to just 4 this year: Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake, Millcreek, and Midvale. Advocates like Kelleen Potter, executive director of Utah Ranked Choice Voting, hope that local governments will still be allowed to use the system despite shifting political tides. Surveys indicate that many voters have appreciated the process, with support ranging from 60% to over 85%.
Yet, critics of RCV argue that it can confuse voters, particularly in crowded races, and produces unpredictable outcomes, raising questions about its efficacy. High-profile failures, such as the wrong candidate winning a school board seat in Oakland due to a programming glitch, have heightened skepticism.
Moreover, Republican opposition to RCV has intensified amid broader concerns about electoral integrity, with some lawmakers quick to link it with other contentious voting reforms. Despite its intended benefits, Republican leaders seem increasingly disinclined to support RCV, with key legislative efforts in Utah recently thwarted. Political divisions and apprehensions about new voting systems continue to complicate discussions surrounding electoral reforms in the U.S.
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