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Why did Colorado progressives oppose a ranked-choice voting measure?
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Why did Colorado progressives oppose a ranked-choice voting measure?

Preferential voting has long been presented as a democratizing force by supporters of the left. Yet a 2024 ballot measure in Colorado, which would implement instant runoffs for key state and federal elections, has been widely criticized by these same groups.

In addition to establishing a preferential choice for general elections, Proposition 131 would implement a the first four primaries for governor, attorney general, and federal congressional races, among others. This new primary process would put candidates from all parties competing for four spots on the general election ballot – only the candidates with the most votes in the primaries would advance.

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The measure would theoretically allow four candidates from the same party to compete in a general election (or four candidates from four different parties). Critics say the change would increase the money and work required to run a successful political campaign because primaries would become just as important as the general election.

“Right now, Colorado primaries tend to favor people who are more centrist or more well-connected,” said Boulder Progressives Lisa Sweeney-Miran, board member. “We don’t think this will solve this problem. We think this will exacerbate it.

Essentially, Proposition 131 aims to abandon Colorado’s primary format and replace it with a winner-take-all system, much like our current general election process. Critics, like Sweeney-Miran, say the damage caused by so-called “jungle primaries” would negate the benefits of an instant general election runoff. Supporters, however, have argued that any move toward a ranked choice system is a step in the right direction.

“While Colorado has the best protections for voter integrity and access, no voting system is perfect,” Governor Jared Polis posted on Facebook in September. “I think instant voting is better than our current system because it gives voters more choice.”

Ranked Choice Voting Explained Ranked choice voting, or instant runoff voting, is an election counting system that aims to maximize the impact of each voter on the outcome of an election. Voters rank candidates in order of preference until they no longer have any candidates they want on their ballot. First round In the first round of counting, only the voters' first choices are taken into account. If a candidate obtains the majority of votes at the end of the first round, he or she is declared the winner. If no candidate gets a majority, election officials move on to a runoff. Second round In the second round of counting, the candidate having obtained the fewest votes is eliminated. Each ballot that placed the eliminated candidate in first place is now counted as a vote for the second-placed candidate. Essentially, votes for the losing candidate are now redistributed according to voters' preferences. If a candidate obtains the majority of votes at the end of the second round, he is declared the winner. If no candidate gets a majority, election officials move on to a third round. Subsequent Rounds The next countdown follows the same format as the second round. The ballots cast for the candidate having obtained the fewest votes at the end of the previous round are redistributed. The process continues until one candidate receives a majority of votes.

How does ranked choice affect policy outcomes?

There’s no way to know in advance how ranked choice will affect politics in Colorado, but in recent years, political scientists have conducted research that might offer some clues.

Alan Simmons is research director at the Center for State Policy and Leadership at the University of Illinois at Springfield. His research group published a study which studied how ranked-choice voting could affect the outcome of a US presidential election. In 2020, Simmons and colleagues solicited mock ballots from 62 respondents. Half of those surveyed voted using a preferential voting format, which was clearly explained to them, while the other half voted using a standard format.

The researchers found that the ranked choice system clearly increased support for third-party candidates (candidates from the Green and Libertarian parties).

“People are liberated because they don’t feel like they’re wasting their vote,” Simmons told KUNC.

Interestingly, Simmons and other researchers have also found that ranked voters tend to be more satisfied with election results.

“Your first pick may not win, but your second pick will,” Simmons said. “You still get that benefit. It was also necessary to mark it on paper.

Although ranked-choice voting is supported by a significant body of academic research, the first four primaries are relatively untested. Alaska was the first state to use this format in 2022. This year, Alaska voters to vote on measure to repeal system in favor of partisan primary.

Voter education

According to Simmons, any potential benefits of ranked choice depend on an effective voter outreach effort. Conversely, if voters don’t understand the system, they won’t reap the benefits.

Boulder County Clerk and Clerk Molly Fitzpatrick echoed that sentiment. His team supervised the deployment of a new ranked choice system for the race for mayor of the city of Boulder last year. They had three years to design, test and implement the system after Boulder voters passed a ballot measure in 2020. According to Fitzpatrick, it was just enough time to get the message out.

“We wanted voters to understand what was going on,” Fitzpatrick told KUNC.

Fitzpatrick questioned Proposition 131’s proposed two-year deadline to implement a statewide ranked choice system.

“There’s no governance for a lot of this right now,” she said. “There are a lot of unanswered questions.”

However, a Senate bill passed last summer The new format would now need to be tested in a pilot group of local districts before being implemented statewide. The new law could have the effect of delaying Proposition 131 if it passes. The supporters, including Governor Polisargue that the delay will give election officials enough time to educate voters and fix problems in the system.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis speaks in the House chamber of the state Capitol, Jan. 17, 2023, in Denver. As a Colorado group gathers signatures to place a measure to introduce ranked-choice voting in the state on the ballot, Polis signed a bill on Thursday, June 6, 2024, that would impose another hurdle on the new system if the measure was adopted.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis speaks in the House chamber of the state Capitol, January 17, 2023, in Denver. Polis signed a bill in June that would impose another hurdle on election officials if Proposition 131 passes.

Is there a better way?

Some detractors, including US Representative Lauren Boeberthave spoken out against the ranked choice aspect of Proposition 131. Yet most opposition arguments have instead focused on the first four main clauses of the measure.

Opponents emphasize Maine’s Ranked Choice System as a better model. In 2017, the state implemented a preferential choice system at the primary and general election stages for federal seats. The new system maintains partisan primaries, meaning voters choose only one party to vote in primaries.

Critics argue that Kent Thiry, the main supporter of Proposition 131, has more to gain from a top-four primary than Colorado voters. Thiry is the CEO of health care company DaVita and contributed nearly $1.5 million in personal funds to support the measure. according to Ballotpedia.

“Billionaires trying to buy elections are part of the political problem in the first place, and this measure makes it even easier for them to tilt the system in their favor,” Colorado Democratic Party Chairman Shad Murib wrote. in a press release. “Proposition 131 is an overly complicated and expensive measure created by billionaire Kent Thiry without any input from election secretaries. »

Proponents, on the other hand, argue that the main effect of the new system will be to maximize the impact of each vote, regardless of voters’ political affiliation.

“Ultimately, our November ballot measure will provide voters with better candidate choices and a greater voice in our elections,” reads the website. Colorado Voters Firstthe advocacy group formed around Proposition 131.

On Election Day, Coloradans will decide whether they want to overhaul the statewide election system or maintain the status quo. The outcome will impact national elections for years to come.