Ranked Choice Voting Expands Across Virginia, Multiple US Localities

Ranked choice voting (RCV) is gaining traction in various U.S. localities, including Charlottesville, Virginia, and New York City, as a system designed to better represent diverse voter preferences and reduce the dominance of majority groups under traditional block voting. Charlottesville recently adopted RCV to replace a century-old block voting system that historically suppressed minority voices, with advocates emphasizing that RCV allows voters to rank candidates without the risk of harming their preferred candidate's chances. Similarly, New York City's Democratic mayoral primary is using RCV, enabling voters to rank up to five candidates, which may advantage progressive candidates like Zohran Mamdani by allowing supporters of long-shot candidates to transfer votes to him in subsequent rounds. Critics and analysts note that while RCV adds complexity, it better captures voter preferences and can prevent vote-splitting among similar candidates. The system is also used in other states and localities, reflecting a growing movement toward more representative electoral processes. Meanwhile, a documentary about Portland's initial experience with RCV highlights ongoing public interest in the impacts of this voting reform.