When It Comes to Counting Votes, the Details Matter
Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is gaining ground across the United States because it gives voters more choice and promotes better representation than traditional "pick one" elections. But most people don't realize there's more than one way to count ranked ballots—and the method we choose can change the outcome dramatically, with significant implications for democracy.
In places like Alaska and Maine, election results are currently determined by Instant Runoff Voting (IRV). While IRV improves on “pick one” systems, election scientists who support Ranked Choice Voting have warned that in some cases, Instant Runoff Voting can override the express wishes of a majority of voters.
Why use Consensus Choice?
Instant Runoff Voting often ignores the second choices of voters. And a plurality system that doesn’t even give voters a second choice is even worse.
Consensus Choice uses every ranking on every ballot to find the consensus winner. Under Instant Runoff Voting, votes for a candidate can stop counting before the final decision is made just because a candidate has been eliminated.
Consensus Choice makes every vote count all the way through.
When it comes to our democracy, the details matter. Choosing Consensus Choice Voting ensures better choices—and elections that make every voter matter.
Image of a one-page flyer showing how Consensus Choice Voting works.
