Poll: 47% of Americans say they picked lesser of two evils in 2024
A new Citizen Data poll finds 47% of American voters feel they voted for the lesser of two evils in at least one election this year. The findings suggest that even though Americans want more choices at the ballot box, they’re afraid of wasting their vote on a candidate who can’t win or supporting a potential “spoiler” – a problem ranked choice voting would solve.
In the poll, young voters were the most likely to say they voted for the lesser of two evils in the 2024 elections, with 50% of Gen Z and 53% of Millennials saying they did so. Black (49%) and Asian American (54%) voters are the most likely of any racial group to feel they voted for a lesser evil. At least 40% of voters across all demographic groups feel they voted for a lesser evil this year.
Ranked choice voting would give Americans the freedom to vote honestly – if their favorite candidate can’t win, their vote simply counts for a backup choice. More candidates can run, voters get more choices, and candidates need a majority to win. With RCV, Americans would no longer feel they need to vote for the lesser of two evils.
Since 2016, ranked choice voting has grown from just 10 cities to over 50 cities, counties, and states home to 17 million people. This Election Day, nearly 4 million voters cast ballots to bring ranked choice voting to their city or state, and it won majority support in all five cities where it was on the ballot.
To help end the “lesser of two evils” problem in your state, join a ranked choice voting group today!
