Is ranked choice voting the future of American elections?

Alaska’s contentious U.S. Senate race and Maine’s 2nd Congressional District runoff have put ranked choice voting back in the national spotlight. Under this election system, voters rank their candidates in order of preference, and whoever ultimately gets more than half of the first-preference votes wins. 

Ranked choice voting is used statewide in Alaska and Maine, but there’s growing interest in jurisdictions across the country to adopt the practice. However, many states are still cautious about using ranked choice voting.

In Episode 54, Meredith Sumpter, president and CEO of the advocacy group FairVote, joins the podcast to talk about what we can learn from Alaska’s elections, about why voters are drawn to ranked choice voting, and whether the system could curb partisanship.

You’ll also get a weekly news wrap-up from Evening Wrap newsletter writer Danielle Gaines and Daybreak newsletter writer Madyson Fitzgerald. They’ve got you covered with the latest on: how states are trying to curb Kalshi, vaccine guidelines for our pets and an archival project that could help investigators search for missing U.S. service members and civilians.

Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer.

Click here for the full transcript.

Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners: 

• Peltola extends lead over Sullivan in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race as ballot-counting continues (Alaska Beacon)
• Despite Dunlap’s concession, 2nd District race still headed to ranked choice runoff (Maine Morning Star)
• ‘I didn’t expect it at all’: The blue wave hit a portion of red Utah County (Utah News Dispatch)
• Election denialism losing steam as Trump flip flops on accepting midterm results (States Newsroom D.C. Bureau)

Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at [email protected]