July 10, 2026 – FairVote celebrated the reintroduction of the Voter Choice Act (H.R.9634) yesterday by Rep. Kelly Morrison of Minnesota. The Voter Choice Act would provide $40 million in federal matching grants for state and local governments that choose to adopt ranked choice voting. 

“Ranked choice voting empowers voters and ensures elected officials are accountable to all of their constituents,” said Meredith Sumpter, president and CEO of FairVote, a nonpartisan organization seeking better elections. “At a time when so many have lost faith in our democratic system, Americans across the nation are working to make their elections and government better with ranked choice voting. The Voter Choice Act will help more cities, counties, and states on this path – toward more voter choice, majority-supported outcomes, and more responsive government with ranked choice voting.”

Ranked choice voting (RCV) is one of the fastest-growing voting reforms in the nation, now used in approximately 50 cities, counties, and states. Surveys show that voters like RCV and find it easy. Ranked choice voting has been approved by voters in 34 of its last 35 city ballot measures.

The Voter Choice Act does not require that any city, county, or state adopt ranked choice voting. It would make ranked choice voting accessible to more communities by offsetting implementation costs, like upgrading outdated voting equipment and tabulation software, changes to ballot design, and voter education and outreach. However, many cities actually save money with RCV – because it is often used to replace costly runoffs or two-round elections.

“Over the years, we’ve seen concrete evidence that ranked choice voting is one of the best tools we have to increase voter turnout and give Americans more choice at the ballot box. In Minnesota, we’ve seen the historic voter turnout that ranked choice voting has spurred, and it’s clear that more and more voters across the country want to implement ranked choice voting,” said Rep. Kelly Morrison. “Should they choose to, the Voter Choice Act simply makes it easier for state and local governments to switch to ranked choice voting. Especially as we face increased polarization in our country, ranked choice voting will help bridge divides and allow voters to focus on the issues that matter most to them — not partisan attacks.” 

“Ranked choice voting gives voters more choice, more voice, and more say in who represents them. It’s a proven, cost-effective alternative to runoff elections that ensures winners have broad support and elections reflect the will of the majority. Federal support for election modernization should include innovations like Ranked Choice Voting that strengthen participation, representation, and confidence in our democracy. We are grateful to Representative Kelly Morrison for her leadership in introducing the Voter Choice Act and championing reforms that help our democracy better serve voters,” said Jeanne Massey, Executive Director of FairVote Minnesota.

With ranked choice voting, candidates need a majority of the vote to win. Voters can rank candidates in order of preference, without fear of wasting their vote – and more candidates can run without fear of splitting the vote. In RCV elections, candidates are rewarded for running more positive and issues-focused campaigns, including seeking second- and third-choice support from voters ranking another candidate first. 

The Voter Choice Act is co-sponsored by Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD), Reps. Seth Moulton and Ayanna Pressley (MA), Reps. Shri Thanedar and Rashida Tlaib (MI), Rep. Angie Craig (MN), and Rep. Don Beyer (VA). The full text of the Voter Choice Act is available here. Voters can ask their representatives to support the Voter Choice Act using this link. 

The Voter Choice Act is endorsed by more than 30 voting rights advocacy and nonprofit organizations, including Better Ballot NC, Better Ballot SC, Black Voters Matter Fund, Clearinghouse on Women’s Issues, Divided We Fall, FairVote Action, FairVote Illinois Action, FairVote Minnesota,  Feminist Majority Foundation, Free Speech For People, Georgia Coalition for the Peoples Agenda, Indivisible Howard County, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), National Organization For Women, National Voter Corps, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, New Jersey Appleseed Public Interest Law Center, People Power United, Rank The Vote, Ranked Choice Voting Maryland, Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center, RepresentWomen, Secure Elections Network, Task Force for Democracy, Texas Civil Rights Project, Third Way, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, Vote Nevada, Voter Choice Massachusetts, and Voter Choice NJ.

###

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.