Legislation
Bringing Ranked-Choice Voting to Illinois
What is Ranked Choice Voting?
- Ranked choice voting (RCV) is a method of voting that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference instead of choosing only one candidate. This method can allow your vote to count toward another candidate if your favorite candidate is eliminated.
- Ranked choice voting can occur in two different methods
- Single-winner ranked choice voting: The single-winner method is used to elect one candidate. [1]
- Multi-winner ranked choice voting: The multi-winner method elects multiple candidates at the same time. The best application of RCV to multi-winner elections is through proportional RCV.
- Proportional RCV: A form of RCV that allocates seats in proportion to the size of voting blocs. [2]
Why is ranked choice voting used?
- RCV better reflects the will of voters, allowing them to select the candidate(s) they most prefer.
- RCV allows more candidates to run without the burden of pitting like-minded voters against one another and being seen as an election “spoiler.”
- RCV minimizes contentious election cycles, decreasing negative campaigning and increasing greater satisfaction with the electoral process.
- RCV eliminates runoff elections, reducing voter fatigue, increasing voter turnout and decreasing the cost associated with municipal elections. [3]
Where in the U.S. is ranked choice voting used?
- Several U.S. municipalities, counties and states use single-winner ranked choice voting to elect candidates, including: New York City [4], San Francisco [5], Minneapolis [6], Boulder, CO [7] and the states of Alaska [8] and Maine [9].
- Several U.S. municipalities and counties also use multi-winner ranked choice voting to elect candidates, including: Minneapolis, Arlington, VA and Cambridge, MA.
Where in Illinois have voters passed a ballot initiative for RCV?
- Skokie residents voted to approve a citizen-initiated ranked choice voting referendum on April 1, 2025. [10]
- Oak Park residents voted to implement ranked choice voting in November 2025. The new method of voting will be used starting in April 2027. [11]
- Evanston residents were the first in the state to pass a referendum supporting ranked choice voting back in 2022 with the Evanston City Council passing an ordinance to implement RCV in June 2024. The measure is currently stalled due to a Cook County Clerk challenging the effort, resulting in it being stuck down by the Circuit Court. [12]
What is currently being proposed in the Chicago City Council related to ranked choice voting?
- On July 16, 2025 Alderman Matt Martin introduced a resolution in the Chicago City Council to assess the costs and potential positive impacts associated with implementing ranked choice voting for municipal elections within the city of Chicago.
- Additionally, the resolution includes an advisory question on the ballot, allowing voters to decide whether ranked choice voting should be the voting method used for Chicago municipal elections. [13]
How are votes typically counted in ranked choice voting?
- Elections that use ranked choice voting count ballots in rounds.
- During the 1st round of ballot counting, all 1st rank votes are counted. If no candidate receives the required number of votes to win, then the candidate(s) with the fewest number of votes are eliminated and ballots for those candidates are transferred to the voter’s next choice.
- If your 1st choice candidate is eliminated, your vote is transferred to your 2nd choice candidate. If your 2nd choice candidate is eliminated, your vote is then transferred to your 3rd choice candidate, and so on. This process continues until candidates have enough votes to win.
If I rank my choices, does that mean multiple votes get counted?
No. Each voter only gets one vote counted. If a winner can be declared after the 1st round of ballot counting, the second, third and subsequent choice votes are never counted. If a candidate is eliminated, all votes for that candidate are transferred to the next highest ranked candidate chosen on those ballots.
Will my vote still count if I only rank one choice?
- Yes, you can still vote for just your 1st choice candidate. Ranking additional candidates is optional and does not harm your 1st choice.
What role does organizations such as Common Cause Illinois play in RCV advocacy?
- Provide trusted education: Serve as a reliable, nonpartisan source of information about how RCV works, helping the public, community leaders, and media cut through misinformation or confusion.
- Engage communities: Host forums, workshops, and conversations that give people the chance to learn about RCV, ask questions, and understand its impact on local elections.
- Support civic participation: Provide voters with clear, accessible resources so they feel confident using RCV and are empowered to fully express their preferences at the ballot box.
We’re pushing for real change, and your voice can help make it happen. Add your name to our petition asking the Chicago City Council to pass R2025-0018786 and show your support—every signature strengthens our efforts and helps move this forward. Sign today and stand with us!
[1] https://www.rcvresources.org/types-of-rcv
[2] https://fairvote.org/report/multi-winner-report-2024/?section=introduction
[3] https://www.reformforillinois.org/election-reform/
[4] https://vote.nyc/RankedChoiceVoting
[5] https://www.sf.gov/ranked-choice-voting
[6] https://vote.minneapolismn.gov/ranked-choice-voting/details/
[7] https://bouldercolorado.gov/guide/ranked-choice-voting-guide
[8] https://www.elections.alaska.gov/election-information/#RankedChoice
[9] https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/10/21/how-does-maine-ranked-choice-voting-work
[10] https://www.skokie.org/1550/Ranked-Choice-Voting
[11] https://www.oakpark.com/2024/11/06/oak-park-ranked-choice-voting-approved/
