Why Ranked Choice Voting is a Bad Idea for Arizona

Jared Taylor Blog , ,

Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) has been around for a while. Where’s it has been tried, it’s failed. Arizona voters are being asked to consider RCV on the November ballot. Many voices claim RCV will improve our election processes. Unfortunately, the history of RCV tell a much different story. Let’s learn from other states and vote “No” on Proposition 140.

Failure #1 – Voter Confusion and Errors

RCV introduces a more complex voting process compared to traditional “one person, one vote” systems. This complexity has led to:

  • Higher rates of voter errors, with studies showing that 1 in 20 voters improperly mark ballots in RCV contests. (1)
  • Increased confusion among voters, with up to 16% of voters reporting being somewhat or very confused by the process. (1)
  • Disproportionate impacts on certain demographics, with higher error rates and confusion among low-income voters, those with lower education levels, and communities of color. (1)

Failure #2 – Decreased Voter Turnout and Confidence

The implementation of RCV has been associated with:

  • Lower voter turnout rates in districts using RCV compared to those using traditional voting methods. (2)
  • Reduced voter confidence and satisfaction with the voting process. (1)
  • A potential decrease in turnout among specific groups, such as Black voters in San Francisco mayoral elections. (1)

Failure #3 – Delayed and Complicated Vote Counting

RCV has introduced challenges in the vote counting process:

  • The need for special election equipment and centralized counting locations, increasing costs and potential vulnerabilities. (2)
  • Delayed election results, as seen in Alaska where tabulation doesn’t begin until 15 days after Election Day. (3)
  • Increased difficulty in conducting recounts, particularly in close elections with multiple rounds of tabulation. (3)

Failure #4 – Discarded Ballots and Voter Disenfranchisement

A significant issue with RCV is the phenomenon of “exhausted” or discarded ballots:

  • In the 2022 Alaska elections, 11% of ballots were “spoiled” due to voter confusion, more than three times the normal rate. (4)
  • Nearly 15,000 Alaskan voters had their ballots thrown out, including over 11,000 due to voters selecting only one candidate without ranking others. (4)

Failure #5 – Potential for Unintended Outcomes

RCV can lead to unexpected or controversial results:

  • Candidates with fewer first-choice votes can sometimes prevail, as seen in the Alaska special election where a Democrat won despite Republican candidates initially receiving 60% of the votes. (4)
  • The complexity of the system can lead to errors in vote allocation, as occurred in Alameda, California, where a programming glitch caused misallocation of ranked-choice votes.(4)

Growing Opposition

As a result of these issues:

  • Six states have banned RCV over the past two years, including Florida, Tennessee, South Dakota, Idaho, Kentucky, and Montana. (4)
  • Repeal efforts are underway in states like Alaska that have implemented RCV. (4)
  • Opposition to RCV has become bipartisan, with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers taking action against it in various states. (4)

While proponents argue that RCV can improve voter choice and reduce negative campaigning, the practical implementation has revealed significant challenges that have led many to consider it a failure in achieving its intended goals.

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