Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) has been making headlines across the country. Just this year, New York City used RCV in its Democratic Primary​​, leading to a grassroots candidate with broad support defeating a candidate with big money backers.

So what is Ranked Choice Voting, and why does it matter for Florida?

How Ranked Choice Voting Works

Instead of picking just one candidate, voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate wins a majority in the first round, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and votes are redistributed based on the next-ranked choice. This continues until someone wins with majority support.

Ranked Choice Voting helps ensure elections reflect the will of the people and that the winner is someone with broad majority support, not just a narrow base. It gives every voter more voice and every vote more impact.

Why It Matters

RCV has many great benefits:

• It encourages more civil campaigns, as candidates have the opportunity to reach a broader range of voters.
• Increases voter choice, as you can support your favorite candidate without worrying.
• Ensures winners better reflect the will of the people.

Florida’s Experience 

Sarasota voters recognized these benefits and approved RCV for local elections way back in 2007. But after years of back and forth about the implementation of the new system, the Florida Legislature passed a law in 2022 that banned local governments from using RCV. This blocked voters’ choice and undermined local democracy.

If voters in a city like Sarasota decide that they want to use a different, proven method for choosing their local representatives, that choice should be respected, not blocked. 

Our Commitment 

At Common Cause Florida, we believe communities should have the power to decide how their representatives are chosen.

Staying informed is one of the best things we can do to strengthen our democracy. Check out the articles below to learn more about Ranked Choice Voting.