Questions on Ranked Choice Voting

Do you support Ranked Choice Voting?

Yes

How do you think RCV could help with the problem of voters feeling pressure to vote for the “lesser of two evils?”

People vote for the lesser of two evils, because in a two party system where winner takes all, there are only two options. Candidates that embody a voter's ideals wouldn't make it to the general election because they have to cater to too many interests. RCV would mean voters can select their favorite candidate as their first choice, even if that candidate is perceived as less likely to win, while still having a backup option by ranking other candidates.

How do you think RCV could help reduce negative campaigning? 

it reduces the incentive for negative campaigning because there are just more options on the board - the priority becomes to be a good candidate, not just to be better than the other guy, encouraging candidates to focus on building appeal. RCV also reduces the incentive for polarizing attacks that could alienate potential second-choice voters.

How do you think PRCV could help increase representation of underrepresented communities?

Proportional Ranked-choice Voting for PRCV. I see it helping with reflecting the community diversity more. It would help minority groups or other underrepresented communities have a better chance of electing candidates who truly represent their interests. In winner-take-all systems, these groups often struggle to gain representation if they don’t form a majority. PRCV encourages coalition-building and consensus-based campaigning. Candidates who appeal to diverse constituencies are more likely to succeed. This fosters a more inclusive political environment and ensures that elected officials are accountable to a broader range of voters instead of just the big blocks. It truly is better to make sure that every voter matters. Voters can support candidates from their community or who champion their interests without fear that their votes will be wasted or won’t matter

How does PRCV help address voters being forced to split their vote?

Voters can support candidates from their community or who champion their interests without fear that their votes will be wasted or won’t matter because the vote redistribution system would prevent the waste or splitting of a vote.