New York Campaign
Ranked Choice Voting in New York City
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Ranked Choice Voting
Common Cause is fighting for fair elections that truly represent the will of the voters by advocating for ranked choice voting.
Traditional elections in the U.S. can make voters feel like their choices are limited. It might seem like there is a predetermined winner—typically the most well-connected or well-funded. Or, voters may feel like they are choosing the lesser of two evils in order to prevent a worst-case scenario.
Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) can help. With RCV, voters rank candidates from favorite to least favorite. On Election Night, first-choice votes are counted to determine who voters like the best. If a candidate receives a majority of votes, they win. If no candidate receives a majority, the candidate with the fewest first-choice rankings is eliminated. If your favorite candidate is eliminated, your vote is instantly counted toward your next choice. This repeats until one candidate reaches a majority and wins.
Elections should represent voters’ choices fairly and accurately. Ranked Choice Voting amplifies the voice of the people.
What We’re Doing
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Updates
Blog Post
Ranked Choice Voting passed in New York!
Ranked Choice Voting is coming to NYC elections in 2021!
Blog Post
Ranked-Choice Voting: How does it work?
Every American deserves to have their voice heard in our elections, from city council to the presidency. Those who are serving in elected office should reflect the beliefs of the people. In a democracy, the people have the power— and voters should have the final say. Yet, the way our voting systems are designed can limit voter’s choices.
Ranked-choice voting offers a solution.
Ranked-choice voting offers a solution.
Blog Post
Ranked-Choice Voting: Majority Rules in Maine’s New Voting System
Maine voters gave a vote of confidence on Tuesday to a vote-counting system that guarantees elected officials will have majority - not just plurality - support
Press
News Clip
USA Today: Eric Adams sees lead in New York City mayoral election narrow after first ranked choice voting tally
Without ranked choice, the city would likely be awaiting a runoff election that could cost millions, said Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause/New York.
Exit polling from Lerner's group also found that voters took advantage of the new system. More than 80% of voters ranked at least two candidates in the mayoral primary, and more than 40% ranked five candidates.
Lerner also stressed the delay in results is not because of ranked voting but rather state laws protecting voters' rights around when absentee...
Exit polling from Lerner's group also found that voters took advantage of the new system. More than 80% of voters ranked at least two candidates in the mayoral primary, and more than 40% ranked five candidates.
Lerner also stressed the delay in results is not because of ranked voting but rather state laws protecting voters' rights around when absentee...
News Clip
Fortune: What Is Ranked-Choice Voting? An Exercise in Representative Democracy, Reformists Say
“Ranked-choice voting helps people who want to run but are discouraged from running maybe because they will split the race,” Maria Perez, a campaign manager with Common Cause New Mexico, told Fortune. “That’s not democratic. People who want to run should run and have a voice at the table.”