Even Progressive Voters Acknowledge Flaws in Ranked-Choice Voting – What’s Behind Some Republicans’ Support
Advocates of ranked-choice voting present it as the antidote to election polarization, claiming it fosters a more inclusive democracy. Yet, curiously, alarm bells are ringing from unexpected quarters.
Several progressive groups express concern that this system might inadvertently act as a form of voter suppression.
“For those who believe ranked-choice voting is the panacea to partisanship, consider the critiques from progressive organizations themselves. They denounce it for the befuddlement and turmoil it brings,” Mike Vallante discussed on the Vicki McKenna Show.
Researchers from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs examined the evidence and posed a crucial question: “Does RCV really dampen polarization?” Their discovery was telling. It turns out, RCV might even heighten tensions between party lines.
Is RCV Failing Democracy?
As for its ability to promote electoral equity and diversity among officials, evidence suggests otherwise. While RCV might see a rise in minority candidates, their success rates don’t necessarily follow.
Noted civil rights leader Hazel Dukes went so far as to label New York City’s RCV experience in 2021 as outright suppression. The chaotic counting that ensued proved her point: RCV might not be the democratic revolution it’s touted to be.
The system is critiqued for discarded ballots, voter bewilderment, and waning election confidence — casting a shadow over the premise that RCV is the path to electoral integrity.
The Politics Behind RCV
Curiously, while typically championed by the left, RCV’s allure is reaching some Republicans, possibly swayed by strategic donations from RCV advocates. Nationwide, we’re seeing a surge in legislation around this system.
Stalwart red states are pushing back, setting bans and entertaining laws to keep instant-runoff voting at bay. In contrast, Wisconsin sees its own legislature wrestling with RCV-related proposals, further stirring the debate.
Money flows freely to those allying with RCV proponents, casting a spotlight on the motivations behind this voting reform.
A Cautionary Tale from California
A closer look at California’s journey with RCV reveals a leftward tilt, as middle-road Democrats become a rarity. RCV hasn’t quelled political extremes but rather, shifted the spectrum.
The “American way” — where the top scorer wins — contrasts starkly with RCV’s potential to crown a third-place finisher, a system Vallante and others see as counter to the nation’s fair play ethos.
Tune in to Mike Vallante’s full exchange on the Vicki McKenna Show for an in-depth analysis of RCV’s actual impact on American democracy.
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