Nevadans to Vote on Ranked Choice Voting in November
Nevada Voters First, a broad coalition from across the political spectrum, succeeded in qualifying a ballot initiative for this November’s ballot that, if successful, will embed ranked choice voting (RCV) in the Nevada constitution. Along with Nevadans being able to rank up to five (5) candidates in the general election for all federal, state, and legislative offices, the five candidates for each office will be selected using a top-five open primary.
When changing the state constitution, the constitution itself has a mechanism to make certain voters want to enact a change by requiring the initiative to pass the voters twice. In this case, voters must approve ranked choice voting this November and again in November 2024. After passing twice, the first final five, ranked choice voting election will be the election of 2026.
How did we get here and how will we ensure success?
The effort to bring ranked choice voting to Nevada has been a nine year adventure. In 2013, coalition partner Nevadans for Election Reform began discussing nonpartisan open primaries combined with ranked choice voting with anyone who would listen, legislators, business leaders, community groups, national election reform organizations. A bill for a top-three primary and RCV was actually filed during the 2015 Nevada legislative session. Other attempts for legislation in 2017, 2019, 2021 plus an initiative in 2018 all met the same fate. One bright spot was the 2020 Nevada Democratic Party Presidential Caucus when the Party used RCV during early voting, for the first time allowing party members to cast a vote without being present on caucus day.
Fast forward. In the fall of 2021, the Institute for Political Innovation took notice. What evolved was Nevada Voters First, a broad coalition of leaders of election reform efforts in Nevada along with others who recognize the value of ensuring all voters have maximum choice and a loud voice in all elections. Led by a professional staff, the Better Voting Nevada initiative was filed in November 2021 and on July 20, 2022, it was certified for the November 2022 ballot by the Nevada Secretary of State. Just over 140,000 signatures were required. Over 266,000 Nevada Voters signed.
The largest voting bloc in Nevada are those registered as either Non-Partisan (Nevada’s name for independents) or in a minor party. Yet, these voters along with the members of both the Democratic and Republican Party are often left voting for the lesser of two evils, frustrated that little progress is made on issues important to them after the election. Candidates more often than not win with less than a majority, leaving voters feeling unrepresented, with little choice and a small voice. Ranked choice voting faces these challenges head on. Nevadans want government to work for them. They want solutions, not just partisan talking points and scores for “the party”. Nevadans now have the power, through passing Better Voting Nevada, to enshrine a process that will deliver results in the state’s constitution.
Doug Goodman is the Founder and Executive Director of Nevadans for Election Reform
