FairVote’s Deb Otis talks RCV and the Fair Representation Act on WBUR
Last month, FairVote’s Research and Policy Director Deb Otis joined the WBUR program On Point, where she shared the research-driven case for ranked choice voting (RCV) and discussed the promise of the Fair Representation Act.
On Point is a nationally syndicated radio program that reaches 2 million listeners across 290 public radio stations. The invitation for FairVote to participate reflects RCV’s momentum as the fastest-growing nonpartisan election reform in the nation.
In her conversation with host Meghna Chakrabarti, Otis discussed the benefits of RCV for voters:
I think there is something in ranked choice voting for everyone. In particular . . . voters . . . are really looking to be able to have more options on their ballot and to be able to vote their conscience without feeling like they’re stuck in a lesser-of-two-evils mindset.
Otis also talked about growing interest in RCV from lawmakers:
We’re seeing a growing interest in ranked choice among legislators from both parties. Now that it’s been implemented in so many locations . . . there’s a playbook for what this looks like and how to do it.
Lastly, Otis discussed how the Fair Representation Act can expand the benefits of RCV by combining it with multi-member congressional districts and proportional representation:
The movement for ranked choice voting is making meaningful impact right now. It’s already causing positive changes. But there is also further that we can go. In fact, there’s a bill called the Fair Representation Act . . . This bill would implement ranked choice voting for the House of Representatives, but it would also change our congressional districts to multi member districts. [It creates] more fair representation . . . for both major parties, creates space for independent and third-party candidates, and does better at representing communities of color.
On Point is a call-in show, and several citizens in Alaska and Maine – where RCV is currently used statewide – called in to express their support for RCV. Notably, of the seven callers, six expressed strong support for RCV, with a seventh saying that voters who represent the majority in their state may be more likely to appreciate it. Ann Dixon of Homer, Alaska told On Point that “ranked choice voting is the best thing that’s happened to elections in my lifetime.”
Listen to the full interview or read the transcript here on WBUR.
