Electoral Reform: Can Ranked Choice Voting Save Democracy?
In recent years, the idea of electoral reform has gained traction around the world — especially in the United States. One reform in particular — Ranked‑Choice Voting (RCV) — is frequently discussed as a way to strengthen democratic systems that many people feel have become overly polarized, unrepresentative, and antiquated. But can this voting method genuinely “save democracy” — or is it just another reform fad? What Is Ranked‑Choice Voting? Ranked‑Choice Voting is an alternative electoral system in which voters rank candidates by preference — first choice, second choice, third choice, and so on — instead of selecting just one. If no candidate wins a clear majority of first‑choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and those ballots are redistributed to the voters’ next choices. This process continues until one candidate has a majority. Why Advocates Think RCV Strengthens Democracy Proponents of RCV argue that it offers several democratic benef...
