June 23, 2023 (Updated June 27) – Deb Otis, Director of Research and Policy at FairVote, shared the following statement on Arlington’s release of ranked choice voting results: 

“Ranked choice voting is working in Arlington. 84% of voters ranked one of the winning candidates on their ballot, compared to just 45% who voted for a winning candidate in the last two-seat County Board primary. Candidates ran civil, issues-focused campaigns and sought voters’ first- and backup-choice support. Poll sites ran smoothly. Turnout was strong. Voters took advantage of the opportunity to rank their choices. 

“In a contest with four candidates bunched closely at the top, we see a truly representative outcome – instead of one defined by the presence of a ‘spoiler’ or ‘vote-splitting’ between similar candidates.” 

More analysis is available here. An interactive and embeddable results display is available here. (The analysis and display were both updated on June 27 with final results).

###

FairVote is a nonpartisan organization seeking better elections for all. We research and advance voting reforms that make democracy more functional and representative for every American.