Support for Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is waning, as recent efforts to expand its use across the United States have largely failed. Once touted as a rapidly growing electoral reform, RCV has encountered significant obstacles, with several states banning its implementation. In 2024, six statewide ballot measures aimed at advancing RCV, including proposals in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon, were unsuccessful, indicating a troubling trend for its proponents.
Advocates for RCV previously celebrated victories in places like Maine and Alaska, where they utilized substantial funding to promote the reform. Over the past few years, however, the movement has struggled to maintain momentum. In 2025, an additional six states enacted bans on RCV, raising the total to 17 states that have outlawed the system. This growing opposition has sparked concern about the future of RCV, particularly as legislators in states such as Ohio and Michigan consider similar measures.
Despite the setbacks, there were a few notable victories for RCV advocates in 2024. In Alaska, proponents successfully defeated a repeal of RCV by a narrow margin of just 743 votes, following weeks of vote counting. Nonetheless, a new campaign is already underway in Alaska seeking to repeal RCV again, adding further pressure on supporters to defend their position.
In Washington, D.C., voters adopted RCV as part of an open primary system, despite opposition from local leaders, including Mayor Muriel Bowser. The implementation has faced challenges, including funding delays, which have raised questions about its effectiveness.
Looking ahead, RCV supporters have set their sights on Michigan, hoping to place a state constitutional amendment on the November 2026 ballot. A successful campaign in Michigan, a significant swing state, could revive the RCV movement. However, the Rank MI Vote campaign has already encountered difficulties, failing to gather enough signatures to qualify for the ballot and ultimately abandoning the effort after falling short by about 200,000 signatures.
The Michigan Association of County Clerks unanimously opposed the RCV proposal, citing concerns over complexity, potential disenfranchisement, and the risk of diminishing voter trust. These officials, responsible for administering elections, argued that Michigan voters already contend with some of the most intricate ballots in the nation, and introducing RCV would exacerbate voter confusion and fatigue.
Despite the recent struggles, RCV has not been entirely sidelined. Supporters continue to receive backing from left-leaning donors and advocacy groups like FairVote, which remain committed to promoting the initiative. Nevertheless, the perception of RCV has shifted significantly, with critics labeling it as a poorly designed electoral scheme that has underperformed wherever it has been tried.
As the landscape of voting reforms evolves, the future of Ranked Choice Voting remains uncertain. While it has experienced notable setbacks, the core advocates are still active, seeking to navigate the challenges ahead. The ongoing discourse will continue to shape how electoral systems are designed and implemented across the country.
