News & Updates

Ranked-choice voting works as a powerful system that narrows a crowded field of candidates through a series of computer-assisted instant runoffs.

With RCV on the ballot in several more states this November, it’s a good chance to compare how it works in each state and look at how it has affected election outcomes.

Ranked choice, also known as instant runoff voting, allows voters to rank candidates in order from their favorite to least preferred candidate.

While critics of RCV complain that it confuses and somehow disenfranchises voters, a recent research paper found significant and substantially higher probabilities of turnout in places that use RCV.

Cal RCV supporters heard from Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause New York, about the RCV rollout in NYC

Guest speakers shared insights and updates on RCV progress in California and our neighbor to the north, Oregon

Santa Clara County is considering a fundamental change to voting, which is moving to a ranked-choice voting model.

In close races like this, it’s especially important that every vote has its maximum impact – yet just 38% of voters selected Liccardo or Low. That means 62% of voters aren’t represented in the results. If California used RCV, that 62% of voters could have ranked backup choices on their ballots and consolidated around a viable candidate they liked.

Mayor Eduardo Martinez said the ranked-choice voting system would ensure that Richmond voters are heard and that elections are decided by its residents, not corporations and special interest groups.

Santa Clara LGBTQ+ leaders speak out

Although entrenched interests on both sides of the political spectrum oppose RCV, election-deniers present a rising challenge to ranked-choice reforms.

(hint: it's really easy)

Opinion: Steve Garvey’s strange win is a loss for California election reform. Here’s the solution.

Ranked Choice Voting addresses the problem of low turnout primaries

California’s top two primary system, while well-intentioned, is too easily manipulated.

Supporting Ranked Choice Voting for Sacramento starts with raising awareness so that everybody gets to know how it works and we can build support for a 2026 ballot measure.

A new EMC Research poll finds that 64% of likely 2024 voters in Santa Clara County support using ranked choice voting (RCV) in countywide and local elections. This represents significant growth in support since 54% of county voters voted for RCV in county elections by approving Measure F in 1998.

New Report Shows Evidence that Ranked Choice Voting Benefits Candidates and Voters of Color

"Sacramento, California has a voter turnout problem. Turnout in its primaries is much lower than in its general elections, and the primary electorate is less representative of Sacramento’s population – underrepresenting young voters and renters. Sacramento could join other California cities, and solve this problem by consolidating its elections into a single, high-turnout contest with ranked choice voting."

“Instead, California should give more options to voters by expanding the number of candidates that advance to the general election and determine the winner using an instant runoff, also known as ranked-choice voting.”