On November 3, Irvine, CA will vote on whether to adopt ranked choice voting (RCV) for mayoral and City Council elections. If Measure D passes, Irvine would implement RCV as soon as 2028, giving voters more choice and better representation in their local elections. Irvine Measure D is supported by citizens, community groups, unions, and elected officials – from city councilors to a member of Congress. 

Below is a selection of quotes from key endorsers. A more comprehensive list can be found on the Voter Choice Irvine website.

Our democracy works best when voters have a real voice in who represents them. Ranked choice voting will give Irvine voters more choice and more voice, and make our local democracy stronger.

– U.S. Rep. Dave Min

When candidates have to earn majority support to win, our city gets leadership that listens to everyone and focuses on common ground… Vote ‘yes’ on Measure D!

– State Assemblymember Cottie Peterie-Norris

Ranked Choice Voting guarantees that Irvine residents elect officeholders who win majority support. And it’s cost-effective. This is what real democracy looks like.

– Councilmember Kathleen Treseder

Why should Irvine pass Measure D?

Right now, Irvine uses “choose-one” voting, in which candidates can win with far less than 50% of the vote.

In 2024, for example, the mayor and two City council members were elected without winning a majority of votes. Seven candidates ran for mayor, and the winner earned 39% of the vote. 

In City Council District 1, meanwhile, the winning candidate received 32.3% of the vote, with the runner-up close behind at 31.7%. Just 1% of voters – fewer than 110 people – made the difference in the election; over a third of voters effectively “wasted” their votes on candidates other than the frontrunners. 

If Measure D passes, Irvine would implement ranked choice voting in its elections – so long as the implementation cost falls under a strict cap of 0.23% of Irvine’s budget. With RCV, winners would enter office with support from a majority of voters. Voters could vote their conscience, without worrying about whether their top choice will “spoil” the race for a more viable option.

When an elected official takes office with barely a third of the vote, the system is clearly broken. Passing Measure D will restore majority rule to our city. Ranked choice voting guarantees every vote counts, gives voters more choice without fear of vote-splitting, and ensures our elected officials truly represent the majority of Irvine residents.

– Branda Lin, Voter Choice Irvine campaign director

Vote yes on Measure D to implement ranked choice voting in Irvine! Visit Voter Choice Irvine to learn more and get involved.