We’re excited to share the latest news from the election reform movement – including our analysis from the Illinois primaries, where a House candidate won with just 24% of the vote; an LA Times article calling for ranked choice voting in the governor’s race; and a newly published book with a chapter from FairVote researchers Deb Otis and Rachel Hutchinson.

The latest election reform news

• In Tuesday’s Illinois primaries, Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate and House won with just a fraction of voters behind them – including in the 7th and 9th Districts, where the winners had less than 30% of the vote. Ranked choice voting would ensure nominees have support from a majority of their party, and a new survey finds that two-thirds of Illinois Democrats would support using it. Read more about the Illinois elections and the poll.
• One reason there are so many crowded primaries this year? A historic number of members of Congress are retiring. FairVote CEO Meredith Sumpter shares how election reform could make politics less toxic and more functional for elected officials:

• So many Democrats are running in California’s primary for governor that the party could be locked out of the general election unless voters consolidate behind one option. In today’s Essential California newsletter, the Los Angeles Times covered why California needs ranked choice voting. Read more from FairVote and the Times.
• Connecticut’s legislature is considering a bill that would let cities and political parties use ranked choice voting in their elections. Norwalk Common Council Member Colin Hosten and FairVote’s David Daley give their take here.
• In a recent Voting Rights Act case, a Texas law firm proposed cumulative voting to protect the rights of Hispanic voters. FairVote contributed an affidavit. Read more.
• Two members of FairVote’s research team, Deb Otis and Rachel Hutchinson, contributed Chapter 13 to a new academic book called “Reforming Primary Elections.” Deb and Rachel highlight how ranked choice voting and nonpartisan primaries can complement each other. Download the book for free here.
• In case you missed it: On Sunday, the Academy Awards showcased the past year’s biggest achievements in film – and the Best Picture winner was chosen with ranked choice voting. Read more, or watch our collaboration with @IJustWannaChat.

A closer look at the Illinois primaries

In Tuesday’s Illinois primaries, several candidates won their primaries with margins smaller than the number of voters who supported low-performing candidates. In the 7th district, the margin was about 16 times smaller.