Editorials
FairVote tracks newspaper editorial positions on ranked choice voting and the Fair Representation Act. Here are a few of the number of editorials we've identified:
Lincoln Journal Star (NE) Feb. 28, 2021 - Ranked-choice voting would help improve state elections “The overlap of the arguments between the Electoral College and ranked-choice voting should be lost on no one. Coalition building and appealing to voters from both parties are imperative to winning – and governing from the middle for the betterment of all people, regardless of their party affiliation.”
McCook Gazette (NE) Feb. 19, 2021 - Ranked-choice voting should get a fair hearing “In general, proponents of ranked-choice voting say it promotes majority support of the winning candidate, discourages negative campaigning, lets voters cast their ballots for candidates they truly feel is best and saves money compared to running primary elections. It also provides an outcome more reflective of the majority of voters rather than extremes on either end of the political spectrum.”
Daily News (NY) Dec. 9, 2020 - Insulting the voters: Ranked-choice voting must go forward in New York City "Victories don’t get much more convincing than this one was: On Nov. 5, 2019, 74% of New Yorkers at the polls said yes to adopting ranked-choice voting for the offices of mayor, public advocate, city controller, borough president and Council, allowing citizens to order their top five favorites on the ballot for each vacancy starting in 2021."
The Washington Post (DC) Nov. 11, 2020 – This year’s D.C. Council elections show why the city should adopt ranked-choice voting "That far more people voted against the two candidates than for them underscores the need for the District to follow the lead of other cities in adopting ranked-choice voting."
Greenfield Recorder (MA) Oct. 22, 2020 – Editorial: Vote ‘Yes’ on Question 2 "A ranked-choice system could help loosen the logjam of America’s current ideological quagmire. It would allow constituents on both sides of the aisle to vote their conscience — as opposed to the lesser of two evils — without throwing away their vote."
Berkshire Eagle (MA) Oct. 22, 2020 – Our Opinion: Vote yes on 2 for ranked choice voting "Unfortunately, the aforementioned issues that impinge on the democratic process have not been meaningfully addressed by lawmakers. At this juncture, therefore, ranked-choice voting is the best option."
Sun Chronicle (MA) Oct. 22, 2020 – Our view: Making the right choice "It would serve as a spur to independent candidates as well as a way of ensuring that every voter feels his or her ballot counts. It should be that simple."
Daily Hampshire Gazette (MA) Oct. 22, 2020 – Editorial: Vote ‘yes’ on Questions 1 and 2 "Ranked-choice voting is not complicated, as some opponents have characterized it. It is a different, and we believe, a more fair way to best represent the desires of an electorate."
MV Times (MA) Oct. 21, 2020 – Yes, yes, and no "This is a fairer method of voting when there are multiple candidates in a race."
Boston Globe (MA) Oct. 11, 2020 – Vote yes on Question 2 "Massachusetts voters can strike an important blow for majority rule by moving to ranked-choice voting for a number of state and federal elections."
Falmouth Enterprise (MA) Oct. 9, 2020 – Question 2 And Nonvoters "Ranked choice voting, the subject of Question 2 on the November 3 ballot, will certainly improve the election process in general."
Hill County Observer (NY) Oct., 2020 – In ranked-choice voting, a cure for what ails "Too often, the winners of those races now are candidates who capture just 20 percent to 30 percent of the primary vote in a crowded field. A ranked-choice balloting system would yield a candidate with a demonstrated breadth of support, rather than the last candidate standing."
Daily Camera (CO) Sep. 26, 2020 – Editorial: Vote ‘yes’ on Ballot Question 2E "Ranked choice voting would make it easier for consensus candidates to win. It would reduce the likelihood of votes being divided among several popular but similar candidates, thus allowing a candidate with a small but loyal following to prevail.
East Bay Times (CA) Sep. 26, 2020 – Editorial: Ranked-choice voting could racially diversify councils "In California, ranked-choice voting potentially could protect cities from state voting rights litigation that has been proliferating for years. Jurisdictions where minorities are underrepresented on the governing boards face threats of costly lawsuits if they don’t convert from at-large elections to balloting by district."
Washington Post (DC) May 15, 2020 - If ever an election needed ranked-choice voting, it’s this one. "A better system — one that empowers voters — is ranked-choice voting, which has seen a surge in popularity in recent years."
St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) May 14, 2020 - Ranked-choice voting could make primaries less like free-for-alls. "It gives individual voters more of a stake in the race, knowing that even if their preferred candidate is knocked out, they still have a voice in what happens next."
Buffalo News (NY) May 7, 2020 - Super Tuesday flaw shows early voting needs an update. "One potential solution to this problem is to allow all early voters, including those casting absentee ballots, to choose more than one candidate – the one they prefer and one or two fall-backs that would be used only if a candidate withdraws before the formal election. It’s called ranked-choice voting, and it’s not new."
Daily Gazette (NY) March 8, 2020 - Election exposes flaws in early voting "Another solution, at least to the dropout problem, is ranked-choice voting. That allows voters to list their favorite candidates by order of preference. That way, at least your vote is not wasted on a candidate who is no longer in the race."
San Antonio Express-News (TX) March 7, 2020 - Presidential primary process is flawed "And Texas and other states should adopt ranked-choice voting to avoid the problem of voters casting ballots at the start of early voting only to have the candidate of their choice drop out of the race by Election Day."
New York Times (NY) February 26, 2020 - The primaries are just dumb "By allowing voters to express their support for more than one candidate, ranked-choice voting makes more votes count. By allowing voters to rank a personal favorite first, even if that candidate is unlikely to win, it eliminates the risk of “spoiler” candidates. And by encouraging voters to find something they like in multiple candidates, it fosters consensus."
New York Times (NY) Oct. 15, 2019 - New Yorkers have chance to remake how they vote "When voters are able to express their preferences more fully, they feel more connected to the political process, so it’s no surprise that turnout tends to go up where ranked-choice voting is used."
New York Daily News (NY) October 14, 2019 - Up for the count: New Yorkers should give a thumbs-up to ranked choice voting on November’s ballot "A better way is on the ballot, called ranked-choice or instant-runoff voting. Voters don’t pick just one candidate; they can rank up to five choices, in order."
Star-Ledger (NJ) September 18, 2019 - How to stop maddening third party spoilers "Ranked-choice voting is the best way to ensure that the winner of an election is someone who actually has the support of the voting majority, not just an electoral plurality. Imagine that: The will of the majority, upheld."
Philadelphia Enquirer (PA) - At large city council president? Plus other ways Philly could evolve
May 26, 2019
Boston Globe (MA) – How to prevent another Fall River recall election pitfall
March 14, 2019
Carroll County Times (MD) – Take a closer look at ranked-choice voting for Carroll County
Feb. 19, 2019
Crain’s New York Business (NY) – Candidates for public advocate bolster case for not having one
Feb. 12, 2019
Washington Post (DC) – It's time for Maryland and Virginia to embrace ranked-choice voting
Jan. 24, 2019
Portland Press Herald (ME) – Our View: Noise aside, the fact is that Jared Golden won in Maine’s 2nd District
Dec. 28, 2018
Corvallis Gazette-Times (OR) – Ranked choice voting gets a big test in Maine
Nov. 20, 2018
Boston Globe (MA) – Ranked choice voting passes the test in Maine
Nov. 16, 2018
Boston Globe (MA) - Our View: Ranked-choice voting satisfies the will of the people
Nov. 13, 2018
New York Times (NY) – A Congress for every American
Nov. 10, 2018
New York Times (NY) – America needs a bigger House
Nov. 9, 2018
Baltimore Sun (MD) – An election reform agenda for Maryland's next governor and legislature
Sept. 15, 2018
Boston Globe (MA) – Ranked choice voting to the rescue?
Sept. 5, 2018
Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel (FL) – Fix Florida's flawed primary election
Aug. 29, 2018
Boston Globe (MA) – For better elections, give ranked choice voting a try
Aug. 7, 2018
Economist (UK) – American democracy's built-in bias toward rural Republicans
July 14, 2018
Portland Press-Herald (ME) – Historic ranked-choice vote worked as promised
June 24, 2018
Minneapolis Star Tribune (MN) – Interest in ranked-choice voting surges
June 22, 2018
Washington Post (DC) – Give ranked choice voting a shot. Our democracy would benefit
June 14, 2018
Economist (UK) – In praise of ranked choice voting
June 14, 2018
Portland Press Herald (ME) – Ranked-choice voting test run makes electoral history in Maine
June 14, 2018
New York Times (NY) – Vote for me! For second place, at least?
June 9, 2018
Portland Press Herald (ME) – Maine's ranked choice voting is a common-sense solution
May 20, 2018
Minneapolis Star Tribune (MN) – Minnesota Legislature shouldn't end ranked choice voting
April 4, 2018
Daily Hampshire Gazette (MA) – Ranked choice voting worth consideration
March 1, 2018
Santa Fe New Mexican (NM) – Our view: A city election with choices
Jan. 8, 2018
Albuquerque Journal (NM) – Judge makes right call on ranked choice voting
Dec. 1, 2017
Star Tribune (MN) – Keep experimenting with ranked-choice voting
Dec. 6, 2016
Portland Press Herald (ME) - Our View: Brennan, ranked-choice voting both winners
Nov. 12, 2011
