There is a recommendation in Our Common Purpose: Reinventing American Democracy for the 21st Century, a bipartisan report issued by the Academy, that states enact ranked-choice voting (RCV) for presidential, congressional, and state elections. As explained in the report, in RCV elections, “voters choose their preferred candidate and then rank their second choice, their third choice, and so on. After votes are tallied, the least popular candidate is removed, and that candidate’s supporters’ votes are allocated to their second choices. The process continues until a single candidate receives a majority of support. The reallocation of votes is tantamount to a run-off election, without the need for voters to show up at the polls a second time.”
Unlike the plurality systems used in most US elections, RCV ensures that the election winner has majority support. It also has a number of other advantages, including that it discourages negative campaigning, saves money (as compared to traditional runoffs), and increases participation.
RCV in State and Local Elections
Currently, there are nine states that use RCV for their election processes. Maine was the first state to use RCV in federal elections, starting with the 2018 midterm elections. Alaska uses RCV for federal and state elections. Six states – Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina – use RCV for voters in the U.S. military and others living overseas, as the RCV system allows these voters to more easily participate if a runoff occurs. Hawaii has used RCV for its special federal elections and special county elections. And RCV is used for local (county and/or city) elections in another 17 states.
There are 17 states that are considering legislation in 2025 to adopt RCV for elections for one or more levels of government or for elections for all levels of government. However, there are also 13 states that currently prohibit RCV.
There are several recent developments to note. In 2024, District of Columbia voters passed Initiative 83, which establishes RCV in local elections and opens primaries to independent voters. Because of the District’s status, the U.S. Congress can disapprove of laws passed by D.C. voters. The time period to block this initiative from becoming law has lapsed, but RVC opponents in Congress have signaled their intent to ban RCV in the District in the American Confidence in Elections Act (H.R. 4563).
The City of Oakland used RCV for a competitive special election for mayor in April 2025. New York City will use ranked choice voting in its June 2025 primaries for mayor and the rest of its city offices, with the mayoral race expected to draw a crowded field and be highly competitive.
Federal Action on RCV
Advocates for RCV have been working to re-introduce the Fair Representation Act and Ranked Choice Voting Act; both of these bills would establish RCV for congressional elections.
Congressional opponents of RCV have introduced the One Vote One Choice Act (H.R. 3704) and Preventing Ranked Choice Corruption Act (H.R.3040) to ban the use of RCV in federal elections.
The President signed an Executive Order in March 2025 entitled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections” to increase the Executive Branch’s oversight over federal elections, including additional requirements for voter registration and mail ballots. Advocates for RCV see that executive order as a first step toward greater federal involvement in states’ administration of elections, and some believe that an executive order banning RCV could follow.
The Academy will continue to monitor federal and state legislative and regulatory activities concerning this important issue and continue to be a resource to its Our Common Purpose champions and communities. Sign up for the Our Common Purpose monthly newsletter to receive updates about the Academy efforts to strengthen democracy in America.