Ranked choice voting faced setbacks in several states last week as measures in Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, and Idaho were rejected by voters.
In Colorado, Proposition 131 aimed to establish an open primary system where candidates from any party could participate. The top four vote-getters, determined by voters ranking their choices from first to last, would advance to the general election.
Despite efforts by the ranked choice voting movement to promote its benefits, voters expressed skepticism towards the concept, with a data scientist noting that it may not be easily understood by all.
In Idaho, Proposition 1 sought to eliminate the party primary system but was turned down by nearly 70% of voters. Experts suggested that the lack of a compelling reason or widespread issue may have contributed to the measure's rejection.
Similarly, Oregon's Proposition 117, which proposed ranked choice voting, was dismissed by 58% of voters. A political science professor at the University of Oregon mentioned that voters seemed hesitant to make significant changes to the voting process this year.
In Nevada, a comparable measure was also declined by 53% of voters. Although a similar measure had passed by a narrow margin in 2022, Nevada's requirement for constitutional amendments to be approved in consecutive elections posed a challenge.
While ranked choice voting is currently in use in Alaska, Maine, and New York City, Alaska is considering repealing it through a narrowly passing measure. Hawaii employs ranked choice voting for select special elections.
Conversely, Missouri voters approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting ranked choice voting, citing a commitment to the traditional 'one person, one vote' electoral system.
Several other states, including Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Montana, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Florida, have existing bans on ranked choice voting.
