FairVote Blog
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Party in Major Virginia County Uses Instant Runoff Voting – and Voters Like It
by Grace Ramsey // December 5, 2014 //This year, Virginia’s Arlington County Democratic Committee (ACDC) successfully implemented ranked choice voting (which they refer to as “instant runoff voting”), to select nominees for three special elections. Leaders in the ACDC have expressed their satisfaction with instant runoff voting and – according to an exit poll conducted by FairVote this May – voters liked it too.
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Lower Presidential Election Turnout in Safe Republican States (Part II)
by Claire Daviss // December 4, 2014 //
Thirteen states have voted Republican in every presidential election since 1980. How does their voter turnout compare to the rest of the nation? FairVote shows their turnout is much lower... and the gap appears to be growing. (This blog updates previous findings from 2011.) -
Michigan Electoral College "Reform" and the National Popular Vote
by Claire Daviss, Rob Richie // December 2, 2014 //
Today the Michigan Committee on Elections and Ethics met for the second time to hear testimony on a bill that would change the way that Michigan distributes its electoral votes. FairVote director Rob Richie weighed in, presenting important new analysis. -
The Most Obvious Option: Ranked Choice Voting for Party Leadership Elections in the English-Speaking World
by Sarah John, Mike MacNevin // November 12, 2014 //
Next week, the results of the New Zealand Labour Party's leadership election will be announced. The New Zealand Labour Party is the latest political party to use ranked choice voting (RCV) to determine its leader. This article documents the tried and true use of RCV in internal party elections in New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom and Scotland. International experience augurs well for the use of RCV in party elections within the United States, especially the Republican Presidential Caucuses in Iowa. -
A Guide to Good Policy for States Considering Electoral College Reforms
by Claire Daviss, Rob Richie // November 12, 2014 //
State legislators may soon consider changing the way they distribute electoral votes in presidential elections. Should they distribute electoral votes by congressional district? Should they distribute electoral votes proportionally? We weigh the various options and find that the national popular vote plan is the strongest policy by far. -
FairVote Files Amicus in New Jersey "Closed Primaries" Case
by Drew Spencer // November 11, 2014 //
Right now a federal court of appeals is considering the Constitutionality of New Jersey’s closed primary election system – and FairVote is weighing in as an amicus curiae party. -
People of Color in American Elections, 2014: Advances and Setbacks
by Amaris Montes, Rob Richie // November 12, 2014 //
2014 saw some key victories for candidates of color, along with some frustrating losses. The takeaway? The U.S.'s elected government at all levels still fails to reflect the country's diversity. -
Read FairVote’s Testimonies to Two State Government Reform Commissions
Ohio and Virginia present unique opportunities for redistricting reform. See FairVote's recommendations to bipartisan reform commissions in both states. -
RCV to the Rescue: Non-Majority Winners in Gubernatorial Races
by Austin Plier // November 6, 2014 //
In 10 of the 36 gubernatorial elections that took place during the 2014 midterm elections, the winner was elected without support from a majority of voters. Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) would solve this problem, and allow voters to vote their conscience without worrying about the consequences of a "spoiler effect."
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How Did Women Candidates Fare in 2014 U.S. House Races?
by Claire Daviss // November 6, 2014 //
The results from the 2014 midterm elections are in. How did women candidates for the U.S. House do? Monopoly Politics 2014 projected the outcomes for 132 of the 162 women candidates for the U.S. House. Of those projections, at least 99% were correct. Find out what the midterm results mean for gender parity in elected offices, and why our projections matter.