Spotlight: FairVote Washington
Contributing 4 out of 6 of the US’s confirmed ranked choice voting (RCV) ballot measures this year, the Pacific Northwest is quickly becoming a hotspot for RCV support. Wins for ranked choice voting span from Portland and Multnomah County, Oregon, where voters will decide on RCV ballot measures in November, to Alaska, which will hold its first statewide RCV election in August. In the middle of all that is Washington state, where ranked choice voting ballot measures are scheduled in San Juan County and Clark County for November 8.
FairVote Washington, a non-profit non-partisan voting reform organization, is one of the leading voices for RCV in Washington. Long before ranked choice voting made it to the ballot, the group began a campaign to educate and engage voters. FairVote WA’s grassroots engagement has included talking with voters at community events, giving educational presentations, reaching out to candidates for support, and coalition-building with other reform organizations. Their goal is to mobilize supporters across the state for “greater choice, a stronger voice, and a more civil, representative democracy that works for all Americans”.
Washington is what Lisa Ayrault, Director of FairVote Washington, calls a “purple” state, meaning it has a mix of both red and blue voters. With this in mind, the organization has focused on raising support across the state’s political spectrum. Ranked choice voting’s potential to bridge partisan divides makes it all the more relevant for politically diverse regions like WA. Ayrault suggests that this desire for a more positive, inclusive political environment is a major driver of support from Washingtonians.
Washington voters that we talk to are uniformly supportive of anything that can tamp down negative campaigning… voters are really sick and tired of the bickering that goes on during campaigns, and the mudslinging. They’d like to see more focus on the issues, and ranked choice voting we know is doing that in the places it’s being used.
Lisa Ayrault
In the spirit of a ranked choice voting campaign itself, FairVote WA’s mission is framed around the positives of the system. On why RCV is the right choice for Washingtonians, Ben Chapman, Communications Manager at FairVote Washington, says, “We’re not here saying that Washington elections need to be fixed, that they’re unfair or anything, were just saying, hey we really care about democracy in this state and ranked choice voting is another step towards giving voters more say, more voice, and more choice in their elections.” Chapman notes that the assumption that ranked choice voting is a last resort for broken systems is actually one of their greatest challenges (because Washington’s elections aren’t as broken as other places, some voters do not feel that reform is urgent), but that educating voters on the proactive benefits of RCV has helped overcome complacency.
FairVote Washington’s campaign to proactively strengthen democracy has clearly registered with Washingtonians. Local advocates across 10 WA cities have brought RCV resolutions to their city councils and ranked choice voting will be included on ballot measures in two Washington counties this fall.
With two ballot measures on the table, the group is doubling down; as Lisa Ayrault proclaimed, “We are not taking anything for granted, and I can assure you we will be working very very hard right up to election day!”
If you would like to get involved with FairVote Washington, Ayrault and Chapman suggest that donating and online organizing are the two biggest steps supporters can take from anywhere. FairVote WA runs phone banking 3 days a week and there are a variety of volunteering opportunities available on their website. If you are in Washington and would like to volunteer in person, FairVote Washington runs regular tabling and canvassing events – check if there is an event near you!
