Ranked Choice Voting Faces Scrutiny in Key States Amidst Growing Debate

Ranked choice voting (RCV) is being employed in congressional and state races in Maine and Alaska, allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference. This system aims to ensure that the winning candidate secures a majority of the vote, even if initial top rankings are split among multiple candidates.

Under RCV, if no candidate achieves a majority of first-place votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. Votes are then redistributed to the next preferred candidate on those ballots until one candidate reaches a majority. This process is typically managed by computer programs and often yields results on election night.

How Ranked Choice Voting Works

Instead of selecting a single candidate, voters rank candidates sequentially: first, second, third, and so on. Voters have the option to rank only one candidate. If a candidate receives more than 50% of the initial first-place votes, they win outright. Otherwise, an instant runoff occurs. In this runoff, the candidate with the fewest first-place votes is eliminated, and their votes are reallocated based on the voters' second preferences. This continues until a candidate secures a majority.

Impact on Elections and Campaigning

Experts suggest that RCV diminishes the impact of "spoiler" candidates, where a third-party contender might draw votes away from a major candidate, potentially leading to the election of a candidate less preferred by the majority. "The evidence points to the fact that elections become more competitive when you switch to RCV," said David McCune, a professor of mathematics at William Jewell College. Candidates may also adjust their campaign strategies, focusing on broader appeal to secure second and third-choice rankings, potentially reducing negative campaigning.

In one instance, a 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary saw candidates Zohran Mamdani and Brad Lander endorse each other for second-choice rankings, a tactic that was credited with helping Mamdani secure a win in the final round of vote transfers.

However, RCV does not entirely eliminate the possibility of a spoiler effect. In a 2022 special election for Alaska's sole congressional seat, Sarah Palin's first-round votes were split, and while she received votes transferred from another candidate, Democrat Mary Peltola ultimately surpassed the 50% threshold to win. In subsequent elections, the dynamics have shifted, with Nick Begich winning the seat in 2024 after RCV runoffs.

Prevalence and Opposition

As of October 2026, RCV is used in approximately 14 cities, Maine, and Alaska, with an estimated 10.3 million voters having access to the system. In the current election cycle, about 3.9 million voters are expected to cast RCV ballots for federal, state, and local races.

Maine adopted RCV for its congressional races in 2018 and for state elections in 2016. Alaska implemented it for local, state, and federal races in 2020. Despite its adoption in some areas, RCV has faced opposition, with 18 state legislatures, including Alabama, Florida, and Ohio, enacting bans between 2022 and 2026. Missouri voters also approved a measure to ban the process in 2024.

RCV's Future in Alaska

In Alaska, a ballot initiative in 2024 to repeal RCV narrowly failed. A similar measure is on the ballot for the upcoming election, with Republican leaders and former President Donald Trump advocating for its repeal. Trump has claimed, without evidence, that RCV is a "Democrat scam" and a "way to cheat."

Researchers Ismar Volić and David McCune emphasize that there is no evidence from U.S. RCV elections showing that the system has benefited one political party over another. They suggest that political polarization often hinders a clear understanding of RCV's mechanics and its actual effects, urging voters to focus on the system's design and functionality when forming opinions. McCune stated, "When you design a voting system, you want to design it to make sure it incentivizes voters to cast their true opinion."