In the 2026 elections, 15 cities, counties, and states will use ranked choice voting (RCV). In Alaska and Maine, RCV will be used in major U.S. House and Senate elections that could determine control of Congress. RCV will also be used to choose a governor, mayors, city councilors, and other officeholders across the country.

FairVote’s latest article previews major RCV elections in 2026 – from Portland, OR to Portland, ME and everywhere in between.

See more of the latest election reform news below.

• Want to dive deeper into RCV in Alaska? We have you covered.
• FairVote CEO Meredith Sumpter and Board Chair Danielle Allen wrote for the American Bar Association’s Human Rights Magazine about how proportional representation can restore democratic legitimacy in the United States.
• In the video below, FairVote’s Rachel Hutchinson answers a commonly asked question about RCV: Does it benefit either major party? Spoiler alert: No.

• Meredith Sumpter and FairVote Research Director Deb Otis wrote about “two-and-a-half party” democracy – a form of multi-party democracy that could work within the United States’ political traditions.
• Next month, three cities will vote on adopting ranked choice voting – Honolulu; Irvine, CA; and Longmont, CO. Join a special webinar this Thursday, October 8 with leaders from each campaign.
• Arlington, VA published a new video on how ranked choice voting improves the county’s elections. Watch it below.

• Prime Minister Andy Burnham is making the case for proportional representation in the United Kingdom. Like the United States, the UK currently uses a flawed, winner-take-all system for legislative elections.
• Have family or friends who are curious about ranked choice voting? They can try RCV on this page, by ranking ice cream flavors.