Understanding ranked-choice voting and its impact on US elections
A recent dispute in Alaska regarding two candidates sharing a name has highlighted a less common voting method in the United States: ranked-choice voting. This system, employed statewide in Alaska and Maine, and utilized in cities like New York, allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference instead of selecting just one.
In ranked-choice voting, if a voter’s top choice doesn’t secure a majority, their vote is transferred to their second preference. Proponents argue this system encourages voters to support their preferred candidate without fear of “wasting” their vote and reduces the impact of third-party candidates.
Critics, however, contend that ranked-choice ballots complicate the voting and vote-counting process, potentially delaying results and eroding confidence. A study in the journal *Political Behavior* found that 4.8% of ranked-choice ballots are improperly marked, though not all are invalidated.
On a ranked-choice ballot, voters number candidates in order of preference. If the leading candidate receives over 50% of first-choice votes, they win. Otherwise, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and ballots are redistributed to voters’ next-ranked choices. This process repeats until a candidate achieves a majority.
Maine adopted ranked-choice voting in 2016, initially using it in congressional elections in 2018, due to concerns about candidates winning without majority support. Alaska implemented the system in 2020 through a ballot initiative, combining it with open primaries where the top four candidates advance to a general election decided by ranked-choice voting.
The system is now under scrutiny in Alaska’s Senate race, featuring two candidates named Dan Sullivan. Officials have attempted to differentiate between the incumbent Republican Senator Dan S Sullivan and retired teacher Daniel J Sullivan Jr, who is unaffiliated, on the ballot. Concerns have arisen about potential voter confusion and the possibility of one candidate acting as a spoiler.
Former US President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against Alaska, attempting to block certification of the Senate election results if the incumbent loses, citing voter confusion. This legal challenge raises questions about potential federal interference in Alaska’s election process.
Ranked-choice voting is used in various local elections across the country, including in New York City and San Francisco. Hawaii uses it for certain special elections, and Washington, D.C. will adopt it for all federal and local elections starting in 2026. Despite its growing use, approximately 19 states have laws restricting or prohibiting ranked-choice voting.
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“What is ranked-choice voting and how does it work in US elections?”
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