Category Archives: alternative voting systems

“Put ranked-choice voting at the top of your list”

October 7, 2024, 6:45 amalternative voting systemsRick Hasen

WaPo editorial: There is no one trick to fix American democracy — but implementing ranked-choice voting in primary and general elections around the country could help. This reform is on the ballot in several states this year, as well as… Continue reading

“Colorado’s all-candidate primary and ranked choice general election ballot measure is poised to pass, poll shows”

September 20, 2024, 8:48 pmalternative voting systemsRick Hasen

Colorado Sun: Colorado voters are poised to approve a measure on the November ballot that would change most of the state’s primaries so candidates from all parties run against each other, with the top four vote-getters advancing to a ranked… Continue reading

“Judge rules that incarcerated U.S. House candidate can remain on Alaska ballot”

September 12, 2024, 6:39 amalternative voting systemsRick Hasen

ADN: An Anchorage Superior Court judge on Tuesday denied a request by the Alaska Democratic Party to have the name of a jailed non-resident removed from Alaska’s U.S. House ballot. Alaska Democratic Party Executive Director Lindsay Kavanaugh said Tuesday evening… Continue reading

“Politics might already be factional, which calls for a different reform approach”

September 11, 2024, 3:20 pmalternative voting systemsRick Hasen

Jack Santucci: As a student of how electoral-system change happens, I read the Boston Review’s recent essay collection, “We Need More Parties,” with great interest. It weighs the merits of several responses to a widely held view that the party system… Continue reading

“There’s a fair way to ensure third-party candidates don’t ‘spoil’ the US election”

August 29, 2024, 7:01 amalternative voting systemsRick Hasen

David Daley Guardian oped: We need a modern fix that recognizes that third parties are here to stay, but also that a nation with a guiding principle of majority rule deserves winners who earn more than 50% of their fellow… Continue reading

“Alaska election officials to recalculate signatures for ranked vote repeal measure after court order”

July 21, 2024, 5:36 amalternative voting systems, direct democracyDan Tokaji

AP: A state court judge on Friday disqualified numerous booklets used to gather signatures for an initiative that aims to repeal Alaska’s ranked choice voting system and gave elections officials a deadline to determine if the measure still had… Continue reading

Open Letter from Scholars in Support of Fusion Voting

July 12, 2024, 5:44 amalternative voting systems, political polarizationDan Tokaji

Here’s an excerpt from the letter, released yesterday: With partisan polarization at dysfunctional highs, public faith in the political system hitting dangerous lows, and two unpopular presidential candidates competing in a high-stakes presidential election, Americans are rightfully worried about… Continue reading

“How best to prepare for a brokered convention”

July 11, 2024, 4:23 amalternative voting systems, political partiesDan Tokaji

Rob Richie in the Fulcrum, advocating ranked-choice voting and concluding: “Out of crisis comes opportunity. If forced to pick a new nominee, Democrats have real options for doing it well. Looking to 2028 and beyond, parties can adapt lessons… Continue reading

“Democrat Loses Primary to Alleged Republican Imposter”

June 26, 2024, 3:22 pmalternative voting systemsRick Hasen

Newsweek: A former Republican voter appears to have defeated Democrat Mondaire Jones in the left-wing Working Families Party’s primary for New York’s 17th Congressional District. As of 8:55 a.m. ET on Wednesday, ex-GOP backer Anthony Frascone led Jones 244… Continue reading

“The Ballot Measures Aim to Reduce Partisanship. Can They Fix American Politics?”

June 25, 2024, 6:46 amalternative voting systems, political parties, primariesRick Hasen

Michael Wines for the NYT: Americans of both parties routinely express deep concern about the state of the country’s democracy. This fall, many voters may have a chance to do something about it, by voting on state ballot measures related… Continue reading

“Ranked-Choice Voting Draws Bipartisan Ire”

June 21, 2024, 6:53 amalternative voting systemsRick Hasen

TAP: In an era warped by extreme partisan discord, ranked-choice voting has managed to unsettle Republican and Democratic politicians alike. Long fearful of African American voter strength and cross-racial coalitions that sometimes spring up, many white Republican political power brokers… Continue reading

“What Is ‘Fusion Voting’? Just a Way to Save the Country, That’s All”

June 19, 2024, 6:49 amalternative voting systems, ballot access, political polarizationRick Hasen

Daniel Cantor and Bill Kristol in The New Republic.

“What Is “Fusion Voting”? Just a Way to Save the Country, That’s All”

June 16, 2024, 7:42 amalternative voting systems, political polarization, primariesJustin Levitt

Dan Cantor and Bill Kristol ask: What in the world could possibly bring the two of us together? One of us is a slightly reformed Reaganite, the other a slightly chastened social democrat, each of us mugged by authoritarianism.… Continue reading

Ranked-choice roundup

June 14, 2024, 7:29 amalternative voting systemsranked-choice votingJustin Levitt

David Daley on ranked-choice voting and the spoiler effect. Pluribus News looks at the states looking toward ranked-choice and the states turning away – and the municipalities using ranked-choice that may be raising the prominence of both conversations. (UPDATE: Fox… Continue reading