Dear John,

Ranked choice voting (RCV) is on track for unprecedented expansion in 2024. At least two states will vote on adopting RCV statewide, and it is being considered in numerous state legislatures. RCV will also help us choose our next president.

Every year, we celebrate Ranked Choice Voting Day on January 23, because ranking our ballots is as easy as 1-2-3! This Ranked Choice Voting Day, we’re taking a look at the biggest year yet for RCV. Read on to learn about:

• RCV ballot measures
• RCV in the presidential election
• Major RCV elections
• RCV in state legislatures
• How you can get involved

RCV on the ballot

This November, at least two states (Oregon and Nevada) will vote on adopting RCV statewide – and several more could join them, including Colorado, Idaho, and Montana.

There are also campaigns underway to bring RCV to some of America’s largest cities, including Washington, DC! RCV is already used in the largest cities in seven states, and those uses have built momentum for even more wins elsewhere!

We also expect ballot measures or city-council adoptions of RCV in more cities than ever before. Leaders in about 30 cities have signaled intent to pursue RCV in 2024, and though some efforts will likely be postponed, we expect an exciting year for local expansion of RCV. If enough states and cities approve RCV ballot measures, the number of Americans using RCV could more than double!

RCV helping pick the president

Ranked choice voting for presidential elections is no longer just a theory. Alaska and Maine are both using RCV in their presidential general elections, giving voters the freedom to vote their conscience without fear of “playing spoiler.” In non-RCV states, voters will face pressure from friends and family to pick the “lesser of two evils” instead of their favorite candidate.

Even more places are using RCV in presidential primaries, starting with the third-in-the-nation Virgin Islands Republican caucus on February 8. While this year’s primaries are looking less competitive than past cycles, RCV will still prevent “zombie votes” – which occur when candidates drop out after some voters have already voted early, or when voters vote for a candidate they don’t know has dropped out.

With RCV, if your favorite candidate withdraws, your vote simply counts for a backup choice!

RCV in action

Alaska and Maine will use RCV statewide in 2024, including for the presidential election, U.S. House seats in both states, and a U.S. Senate seat in Maine.

A dozen cities will use RCV, including a groundbreaking first-time use of proportional RCV in Portland, OR. Portland’s election will demonstrate the value of this gold-standard reform on a major scale, giving voters from all backgrounds and all parts of the city a voice on the city council.

RCV becoming law

Twice as many pro-RCV bills were introduced in state legislatures in 2023 than in 2022, and we expect this rapid growth to continue!

In Congress, the Fair Representation Act is on track for reintroduction in 2024. The Fair Representation Act would use multi-member districts with ranked choice voting to elect the House of Representatives, ensuring nearly every American can elect someone they support to Congress! The act would also break the power of gerrymandering and give voters better choices, no matter where they live.

How you can help

With so many ranked choice voting ballot measures, bills, and elections in 2024, the RCV movement needs all hands on deck to make this year a success! This RCV Day, there are rallies, parties, trainings, and more happening around the nation.

Find one near you from our friends at Rank the Vote (or if you can’t get involved today, reach out to your state or local group – there’s lots of work to do this year)!

Sincerely,
Brian Cannon
FairVote Action Advocacy Director