Ranked-choice voting in the United States

Ranked-choice voting (RCV) can refer to one of several ranked voting methods used in some cities and states in the United States. The term is not strictly defined, but most often refers to instant-runoff voting (IRV) or single transferable vote (STV).

RCV is used for state primary, congressional, and presidential elections in Maine; and for state, congressional, and presidential general elections in Alaska. It is used for local elections in 47 US cities including Salt Lake City and Seattle.^[2] It is also used by the Virginia, Utah, and Indiana Republican parties in state conventions and primaries.^[3][4][5] As a contingency in the case of a runoff election, RCV ballots are used by overseas voters in six states.^[2]

RCV is used in American non-governmental elections as well. Examples include student elections at approximately 95 colleges and universities, along with elections for officers in professional associations, such as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars), American Chemical Society, American Philosophical Association, and Society of Actuaries.^[2]

Between 1912 and 1930 limited forms of RCV, typically with only two rankings, were implemented but later repealed,^[6] as has also occurred in some cities in the 21st century.^[7][8][9] Cambridge, MA started using Ranked-choice voting in 1941 for its city council elections. The Bay Area and Minnesota have a relatively large number of cities using the system.^[10]

Ranked-choice voting has been seen by supporters as a much-needed boost to America's democracy as a way to remove toxicity and expand choice, while some conservative groups like The Heritage Foundation have claimed that it would benefit left-leaning candidates, though no evidence yet supports that claim. Others caution against overhyping Ranked-choice voting and to not forget about voter turnout and other aspects of democratic health.^[10] Research has demonstrated that RCV can disenfranchise poor, minority, and uneducated voters through improper ballot use.^[11] Because 94% of first-round RCV winners ultimately win the election, ignoring races with only one or two candidates, disenfranchisment may not allways be offset by greater fidelity to the popular opinion.^[12]