Ranked-Choice Voting Under Scrutiny in U.S. Elections

Ranked-choice voting is a focal point in recent U.S. elections, particularly in Maine and Portland, where it has been implemented in congressional and city races. Maine's second congressional district is undergoing ranked-choice tabulation, which may influence the control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Portland's first use of ranked-choice voting saw significant voter opt-out, with up to 30% in some districts, indicating voter confusion with the complex ballots. Nationwide, ranked-choice voting is gaining attention, although Oregon voters recently rejected a measure to adopt it statewide. In Virginia, improved Republican performance and split-ticket voting were notable, with Democrat Tim Kaine outperforming presidential candidates in votes, highlighting complex voter behavior.