Friend, 

Last minute candidate drop-outs, technological glitches, and a global pandemic threatened the integrity of our presidential and other primary elections this year as never before. 

But two simple reforms — ranked choice voting and vote at home — have been proven to mitigate these risks and ensure all voices are heard and all votes are counted. 

Today, we’re excited to share two updates with you. 

First, the Unite America Institute released a new white paper on Ranked Choice Voting and the Presidential Primaries. Ranked choice voting is an alternative voting system that ensures better expression of voter preference, prevents votes from being “wasted” on candidates who drop out last minute, and allows for higher voter participation. Ranked Choice Voting: The Solution to the Presidential Primary Predicament makes the case for expanding RCV to all states in 2024.

For the first time, five states used ranked choice voting for their primaries this year; we need to continue the momentum into 2024, when we hope both parties will use the system to nominate their presidential candidates.

Second, the National Association of Nonpartisan Reformers in partnership with the Unite America Institute hosted a panel with election experts about what they’re doing to ensure safe and secure voting during the pandemic. The panel, moderated by David Hawkings, editor in chief at The Fulcrum, allowed election administrators to explain how they used ranked choice voting, vote at home, and mobile voting options in recent primaries to ensure that voters and their safety comes first. 

We were fortunate to get an all-star line-up for the panel, including 

• Amber McReynolds | CEO, National Vote at Home Institute
• Rob Richie | President & CEO, FairVote
• Amelia Powers Gardner (R) | Utah County Clerk & Auditor
• Vicki Hiatt (D) | Chair, Kansas Democratic Party

We're inspired by the success of these innovations in action. Reformers and policymakers should consider their merits as we near an unprecedented general election, and as long-term solutions for cycles to come.

Best, 

Beth Hladick

Policy Manager

Unite America

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