Statement: Ranked Choice Voting on Election Day 2024
November 6, 2024 – More than 3 million voters across the nation voted for better elections with ranked choice voting on Election Day 2024, as of current returns. Ranked choice voting is poised to win majority support in all five cities where it was on the ballot, most notably with an overwhelming win in Washington, DC – 73%-27%.
For state ballot measures, the status quo won the day – with a ballot measure to implement RCV losing in Oregon, and ballot measures to implement open primaries and RCV falling in Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada. A ballot measure to keep RCV in Alaska is neck-and-neck and may take several days to call, with absentee ballots continuing to arrive for 15 days.
Meredith Sumpter, president and CEO of FairVote, said: “Ranked choice voting took a step forward on Election Day 2024, as voters in our nation’s capital and several cities said yes to better elections. We celebrate the countless hours that local and state advocates have spent turning their frustration with today’s politics into real progress. Alaska and Maine also used ranked choice voting to elect the president and other key officials, and 10 cities across the nation held smooth and successful RCV elections.
“Changing the status quo is never easy. Entrenched interests – including several state parties and an increasingly well-organized national opposition – pushed back hard on this year’s statewide ballot measures. But make no mistake: The future remains bright for ranked choice voting.
“Ranked choice voting was used in only 10 cities and zero states in 2016, and has now grown to over 50 cities, counties, and states home to nearly 17 million people.
“We also see clear signs that voters like ranked choice voting once they get to use it – the Oregon ballot measure is performing best in counties in the state that already use ranked choice voting, and the Alaska ballot measure is outperforming the other statewide measures. We’ll continue to see ranked choice voting deliver in cities and the states where it’s used, and we also have to make a stronger case on how RCV benefits voters and elected officials alike.
“The data is on our side, and the reform will continue to grow because it works – empowering voters, rewarding candidates who can deliver for the majority of their constituents, and making our democracy work better for the American people.”
- Wins:
- Washington, DC – 73%-27%
- Oak Park, IL – 79%-21%
- Peoria, IL (advisory measure) – 67%-33%
- Bloomington, MN – 51%-49%
- Losses: Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado
- Too early to call:
- Alaska
- Richmond, CA – This unusual measure appears likely to pass with over 50%, but may not be implemented if a separate measure passes by a larger margin.
- Additional information is available at this link.
FairVote will release additional analysis as ranked choice voting ballot measure results are finalized, and as results are reported in RCV elections.
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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.
