Ranked Choice Voting

Tired of having to choose between all or nothing when you vote? A tested process currently exists which allows voters to express multiple preferences without resorting to “spoiler” votes. The goal is simply to get more votes than anyone else.

A ranked choice voting arrangement encourages individuals to make knowledgeable choices about various candidates. More than one candidate may hold some views you agree with, and Ranked Choice Voting allows you to acknowledge those candidates, regardless of party affiliation.

The electorate votes by ranking candidates in numerical order. Candidates from any party may be selected in preferred order. Initially only the #1 ranked votes for all candidates are counted to determine if one has received a majority of the votes. If no candidate receives that majority, then the candidate receiving the fewest number 1 votes is eliminated, and that candidate’s support is distributed to his or her supporters’ #2 choices. Through sequential elimination, the candidate receiving the majority of votes is elected.

Though critics claim that RCV voting causes confusion and possible tabulation errors, this system was first used in 1915 in Ohio and is currently in use throughout Maine and Alaska. Fourteen additional states use it in localized areas. I believe Montanans are smart enough to vote correctly, and can benefit from electing candidates who clearly are favored.

Fairvote.org and Ballotopedia.org provide in-depth discussions on Ranked Choice Voting. I encourage each of us to consider this proven approach for selecting our government officials.

Susan Leaverton

Absarokee