New York, New York

The twice-named city held its first ranked choice voting election last year to help elect a new mayor, among other municipal positions. It was the largest expansion yet for ranked choice voting, more than tripling the number of Americans using the system elsewhere. In a new white paper from the Unite America Institute, Daemen University academics Dr. Erin Carman and Dr. Jay Wendland synthesized exit polling data and found that the majority of voters would use the system again. 

Additionally, voters across the board found ranked choice voting simple to understand and to use; the majority of voters took advantage of the system and ranked multiple candidates, and the majority of voters said they’d like to use the system again. For a new election system in one of the world’s most diverse — and populous — cities, such rave reviews are excellent news for reformers looking to bring the reform to their communities. Read the full report here.

Utah Democrats stuck between a rock and a red place

Utah Democrats made a bold decision this week, opting not to nominate their own candidate in the race to beat embattled Senator Mike Lee, and instead throwing their support behind independent candidate (and former presidential hopeful) Evan McMullin. It’s an unprecedented move that inspires hope but also points to massive problems with our political system. 

The good: Utah Democrats are giving Utahans the chance to make their voices heard, free to vote for an independent without a Democrat playing spoiler in the ruby-red state. The problem: In a healthy democracy, it’s not a choice that a voter — or a party — should be forced to make. The Utah Democrats should be lauded for putting people over party in this case, but Utahans should also note that reforms such as ranked choice voting (which they already have some familiarity with!) and nonpartisan primaries could improve political representation and give every voter and every party a chance on the ballot.  

Unchecked racial gerrymandering may be coming. Unless...

Finally, check out a blog from Unite America Senior Fellow Terrance Carrol, who writes about the Supreme Court’s recent decisions that may have big impacts on the future of gerrymandering and racial representation in our country. As Congress has repeatedly failed to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, decisions about maps and about representation are largely being left up to the court — and their recent decisions have said it’s a matter left to the same self-interested legislators who are gerrymandering in the first place. 

As Terrance points out, the solution comes in the form of independent redistricting commissions, which takes power out of the hands of self-interested politicians and puts it back in the hands of the people. Independent redistricting commissions have proven to be a more fair place to leave the mapmaking process, and one that better protects the interests of racial minorities. Check out his full piece here.