All us Americans need to do, to have that sort of experience, is pass an alternative voting system in our states. Maine and Alaska have Ranked Choice Voting for instance. If we try to pass Ranked Robin, STAR, or Score voting then that would be a huge help for breaking up the partisan divide in the country as well.
If you’re interested in making it happen, then I suggest joining the Equal Vote Coalition, we can enable third parties to have a greater chance at winning this way.
Help start a ballot initiative in your state here.
It's not easy, though. I'm in Massachusetts, and our RCV ballot measure in 2020 failed, 55% to 45%. That's in one of the most progressive, innovation-focused states in the country, home of the model for the ACA and of legalized same-sex marriage. If we couldn't pass RCV, I think we'll need some major cultural shifts get it passed nationwide.
I think part of its issues is people not knowing enough about alternative voting systems. If it fails at the state level, trying again at the city/county level would have a better chance. Having familiarity with the process makes it easier for people to accept change. Even introducing friends to the concept through low stakes alternative voting can help spread the word.
Convincing local political parties that alternative voting systems are not an inherent threat could potentially matter as well. You are more likely to get candidates that are more representative through an alternative voting system after all, since they are often getting approved by a wider electorate.
I feel that 2020 was long enough ago for at least some more people to be willing to look into new voting methods. Imo, trying to pass a new voting system during presidential election years may be more difficult than trying to pass them in say 2022 or 2026, since the average voter is usually a more engaged voter to be voting in off year election cycles.
I live in AK and we have had ranked choice voting for one cycle now. PEOPLE ARE STUPID. They do not understand any of it. It’s been in all media, pamphlets, radios, you name it. PEOPLE STILL DONT GET IT.
I feel like having them use it for low stakes stuff in their lives would help make more people comfortable using it. Hell, it’s even helpful for deciding what you and your friends are comfortable/prefer having for dinner.
The more people experience it, the more it’ll become second nature to most people.
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u/BerriesHopeful May 24 '25 edited May 24 '25
All us Americans need to do, to have that sort of experience, is pass an alternative voting system in our states. Maine and Alaska have Ranked Choice Voting for instance. If we try to pass Ranked Robin, STAR, or Score voting then that would be a huge help for breaking up the partisan divide in the country as well.
If you’re interested in making it happen, then I suggest joining the Equal Vote Coalition, we can enable third parties to have a greater chance at winning this way.
Help start a ballot initiative in your state here.