Ranked Choice Voting is a method of voting where instead of choosing just one candidate, voters rank candidates in order of preference. If a single candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, then they are declared the winner.
However, if no candidate receives a majority, an automated instant runoff is initiated and the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed behind the scenes based on the voters’ second choices.
If those voters did not specify a second choice, their votes are thrown out.
This process continues until one candidate has a majority of the remaining votes and is declared the winner. After the initial ballot is cast, the voter has no input in the process, regardless of how many instant runoff rounds occur. There is no concept of a traditional runoff election where voters can make new choices based on the new field of top candidates.
Proponents claim Ranked Choice Voting allows voters to express their preferences for multiple candidates and ensures that the ultimate winner is the candidate with the most overall support rather than just the one with the most first-choice votes. While this may sound nice in theory, in practice, it’s a scheme allowing candidates with a minority of voter support to win through mathematical technicalities.
Ranked Choice Voting is Complicated for Voters
Ranked Choice Voting is Complicated for Election Officials
Ranked Choice Voting Manufactures Winners
Ranked Choice Voting Favors “Backup” Candidates
The Ranked Choice Voting Process Tosses Out Large Numbers of Votes
No thanks...
”…the messages I received loud and clear from the people of Sandy was ‘Ranked Choice Voting? No thanks.’”
Monica Zoltanski
Mayor, Sandy, Utah
Tossed votes...
“58 percent of ballots were either discarded or spoiled in 2021’s Genola City Council Race, often because those voters failed to rank a second choice, according to the Election Transparency Initiative.”
Second place winners...
“In 2018, incumbent Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) lost to Democrat Jared Golden despite initially winning a plurality of first-place votes.”
Jason Snead
Honest Elections Project
Subversion of voter intent...
“The process subverts the will of voters by helping push out insurgent candidates who have majority support from their party’s voters for establishment-backed contenders who can’t win outright.”
The Federalist
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Why Oppose Ranked Choice Voting?
The ACRU produces and airs radio ads to raise awareness of voting issues while offering citizens the opportunity to report election fraud incidents.
If you are stationed outside the polling location during early voting or election day, engage in conversations with groups being dropped off to vote. Let them know you are happy they are there to vote, ensure they have what they need to vote successfully. Your conversations can help ensure they are exercising their right to vote of their own free will.
Engage in “mindful watching.” If you see someone who appears to be coerced into voting, call the vote fraud hotline.
Be sure to know the voting laws in your state as it pertains to proof of residency, identification and early voting. Know how these laws impact your homeless residents.
America celebrates and treasures its senior voters who have left an indelible mark on our strength and patriotic culture. We thank you for your leadership and life-long demonstration of exemplary citizenship.
If you prefer to vote absentee, we recommend requesting your ballot no later than two months before election day. Don’t miss your chance to have your voice heard in the political process.
You’ve earned it! If you feel your rights are being violated on election day, speak up for those rights or ask for assistance from a relative or trusted friend to ensure you can trust the integrity of your voting choice and be provided full federally-protected sensory or physical accommodation.
Many procedures and requirements for absentee or mail ballots and in-person voting accommodations can be found online on state and local voting information websites, as well as local political party pages. As not all seniors have easy access to the Internet, you have the right to ask for help from family members and friends or trusted residential staff. Learning about voting rights is a great civics lesson for young citizens.
Many candidates visit senior residences before elections. You have the right to request your residence manager invite candidates of all parties to visit your residence, hear your concerns, and explain their policy positions.
If you believe your rights to the accommodation have been violated, you can report this to your local election official. Be sure to notify your election official with specific detail, including time and place, within 45 days of the election violation.
With shorter lines and fewer crowds, early voting is often a good option for seniors. As of December 2019, thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia permit early voting. Check with your state or local election office to see if your voting jurisdiction allows early voting.
Many states and local election locations provide drive-up voting to accommodate people who wish to vote in person but have mobility challenges. In this case, a designated curbside official will show you their credential then provide you with a paper or electronic ballot. Please call ahead or check the website of your state or local election officials to find out if this service is available to you.
Suppose your home polling location cannot provide adequate accommodation for your physical disability. In that case, that location must direct you to the nearest polling station that can accommodate your sensory or mobility restrictions or provide another means of voting for you on Election Day.
If you are over 70 years old or physically disabled, federal law gives you the right to move to the front of the line at your polling location by making a request at check-in.
Federal law provides you with the right to ask your polling location for accommodation and alternate means of voting on election day if you have sensory or mobility issues. These accommodations include visual aids, telecommunication devices for the hearing impaired or wheelchair ramps, without a medical certificate being required.
Seniors who have given up a driving license have a right to receive a photo ID from their state. Presenting ID at polling stations helps to ensure no vote fraud will be committed in your name and affirms your right to vote in states requiring ID. Most states provide free photo ID to seniors; you or a trusted friend or relative can check with your state’s motor vehicle department to determine procedures, required documentation and fees.
The federal website www.USA.gov provides complete information about your polling station and requirements in its “Find My State or Local Election Office” tab. This information can be accessed directly here: https://www.usa.gov/election-office.
If you live in a residential facility, the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center can provide information and resources to you by calling 202.332.2275 or online at https://ltcombudsman.org/issues/voting.
You have a right to request your facility provide staff training on privacy, how to read a ballot to you, how to complete it, and how to ensure the integrity and privacy of your choice with any employee who might be called upon for such help. Staff must understand that they cannot influence or comment on your choice.
If you live in a senior residence, you may rely on staff or volunteers to assist you with filling out your absentee or mail-in ballot. Although it would reveal your vote, you have the right to ask for a third party (friend, relative, or staff member) to confirm your voting choice as marked is accurate.
Although procedures for voting by mail or absentee ballots vary by state, every state must provide senior citizens with an absentee or mail-in ballot when requested. You can find this information by calling your state or local election office or online at https://www.usa.gov/election-office.
Many political operatives are active in neighborhoods or facilities with a large senior population and have been known to manipulate or change votes. Suppose a stranger approaches you with offers of voting assistance. In that case, you have a right to refuse such help and request that the operative or unknown person leave your property or residential unit.
If any person is assisting you at your private home or residential facility with filling in your mail-in, absentee or in-person ballot, your choice is yours alone. It should not reflect the political preferences of the person assisting. You have the right to confirm your vote or ask assistance from another trusted friend or relative to make sure your choice is clearly marked.
Any person assisting you with transportation or accommodation at your home, residential facility or polling station has no right to ask you about your personal and private voting preferences or make a voting suggestion. Voting is confidential!
After every recent election, there have been reports of people taking advantage of seniors to commit vote fraud by changing votes, inputting false choices and other crimes. Vote fraud is often committed face-to-face by people who approach you to “assist” with filling out your ballot or “delivering” your ballot to a polling location. You should only rely on trusted and known individuals to assist you with voting, and you have the right to refuse assistance from anyone you do not know or trust.
You also have the right to register to vote if you have changed your place of residence. Registration requirements vary by state and are found by calling your state, county or city election office. You may find your state’s requirements or directly register to vote at https://www.eac.gov/voters/register-and-vote-in-your-state. To avoid fraudulent system abuse, we recommend contacting your previous voting jurisdiction to ensure you are removed from their voter rolls.
The federal Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 (VAEHA) is designed to assure the fundamental right to vote by directing polling locations to provide access for elderly and handicapped voters.
The Center for Vulnerable Voters produces easy-to-understand guides used to teach vulnerable voter family members about the risks to their loved ones’ votes — and ways to ensure their votes are counted and not stolen or misdirected.
We also host informational and training webinar events, free to friends and family members of vulnerable voters and produce and attend live educational events across the country.
The Center for Vulnerable Voters legal and election experts team has drafted educational materials to be sent to nursing home administrators, clarifying their election-related duties and responsibilities under the law. We’ve also developed materials to help facility directors educate their staff on correct voting procedures for residents.
Our Protect Military Votes center aims to protect the rights of military members’ votes to be counted, whether stationed home or abroad.
By capturing concrete examples of election fraud, we are better able to fight these injustices. The Center for Vulnerable Voters operates both online and telephone vote fraud hotlines to gather, record, and act on abuses of our election systems.
We should all agree it should be “easy to vote and hard to cheat.” Yet, under the guide of “protecting democracy” too many politicians and bureaucrats are pushing unconstitutional election programs designed to make vote fraud easier. The ACRU’s Center for Vulnerable Voters often supports legal actions fighting these schemes.
Together, we can stop any attempts of RCV being enacted in your town by letting your local representatives know how you feel.
Unlike federal legislation, where citizens’ concerns often fall on deaf ears, you can make a difference in your city and county.
Please join your neighbors and help us send the elite left a message that we will no longer tolerate them trampling on our rights. Sign the petition below, and we will make sure your representatives get the message.