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Articles by Deb Otis
Updated California Voting Rights Act improves voting protections and opens the door for new remedies
California voting rights advocates secured a major victory with the passage of the updated California Voting Rights Act (CVRA), signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last month. The bill strengthens protections for voters, and paves the way for more innovation from municipalities as they seek to address local challenges. This is the most significant update to the CVRA in years and, for advocates of proportional representation, it’s a notable breakthrough.
How does ranked choice voting work in Democratic presidential primaries?
Ranked choice voting (RCV) fits within the Democratic Party’s presidential delegate selection rules, including proportional delegate allocation and the 15% “threshold.” Ranked choice voting can be used to select multiple winners, and is not inherently a majority-winner or winner-take-all system. As the Democratic National Committee and states consider how RCV might be used in the 2028 presidential primaries, this post explains how votes could be counted and delegates awarded.
Analyzing Washington, DC’s primary results: most voters ranked 2+ candidates, and what RCV tells us about the electorate
The Washington, DC Board of Elections has released the cast vote record – an anonymized record of every ballot cast – from its first ranked choice voting (RCV) primary elections on June 16. Releasing the cast vote record is a best practice that most cities, counties, and states using RCV follow. Now that this ranking data is available, we can take a deeper dive into voter behavior.
Graham Platner’s replacement and ranked choice voting
On July 8, Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner suspended his campaign following allegations of sexual assault. The Maine Democratic Party has until July 27 to replace Platner, and the party plans to hold a 600-delegate convention to select its new nominee.
Results from the first ranked choice voting election in Washington, DC
This article was originally posted on June 21, and was updated on July 7 to reflect the final results release for the Washington, DC election. On June 16, Washington, DC voters used ranked choice voting (RCV) for the first time. With RCV, District elections now deliver majority winners, and voters have a greater voice in crowded races. Approximately 141,000 people voted in the Democratic mayoral primary – the highest turnout since 1994.
Analyzing Maine’s primary results: Voter behavior, consensus winners, and the impact of cross-endorsements
The Maine Secretary of State’s office has released the cast vote record – an anonymized record of every ballot cast – from the state’s ranked choice voting (RCV) primary elections on June 9. Releasing the cast vote record is a best practice that most cities, counties, and states using RCV follow.
FairVote news update: June 25, 2026
This month, Washington, DC used ranked choice voting (RCV) for the first time, and Maine used RCV for important primaries for governor and Congress. In both places, ranked choice voting delivered majority winners and made more votes count meaningfully. And in a new SurveyUSA poll, supermajorities of Washington, DC voters say that ranked choice voting is simple and they support it. Read on for key takeaways from this month’s primaries, and other quick-hit election reform news.
Preliminary results from the first ranked choice voting election in Washington, DC
On June 16, Washington, DC voters used ranked choice voting (RCV) for the first time. Today, the DC Board of Elections released preliminary round-by-round RCV tallies for each race. DC allows mail ballots to arrive up to 10 days after Election Day, and the Board of Elections will release updated RCV results as ballots continue to arrive. With RCV, District elections will see majority winners, and voters will have a greater voice in crowded races.
Maine releases ranked choice voting primary results
On Tuesday, June 9, Maine used ranked choice voting (RCV) in primaries for governor, U.S. House, and state legislature. Today, the Department of the Secretary of State released ranked choice voting results for each race. Here are some key takeaways from the results in the governor and congressional races: Maine saw competitive, open-seat races for governor and the 2nd Congressional District.
How candidates could win in Maine’s high-turnout ranked choice voting primary
On Tuesday, Maine voters ranked candidates in competitive primary elections for governor and Congress. Though votes are still being counted, it’s clear that the Democratic primaries for governor and the 2nd Congressional District are very close. No candidate in either race will win a majority of first choices, and several candidates have paths to victory.
San Francisco elections set gold standard for reporting ranked choice voting results
San Francisco held special elections for two Board of Supervisors seats this week, concurrent with California’s statewide primary election. The Board of Supervisors elections used ranked choice voting (RCV), and in both races, the appointed incumbent won the seat. The San Francisco Department of Elections released preliminary round-by-round RCV results on election night, alongside results for “choose-one” races.
FairVote news update: May 21, 2026
Yesterday, FairVote published a new ranked choice poll of potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates. 63% of likely Democratic primary voters support using ranked choice voting (RCV) in the primary. Read on for more information about the poll, a new study on RCV in California, and other news from the election reform movement. A new Lake Research Partners poll of 2028 Democratic primary voters shows a competitive field, with Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom leading a ranked choice simulation.
How ranked choice voting will shape the red-hot NYC mayoral race Original
Early voting is underway in New York City’s mayoral primary, with Election Day on June 24. Democrats will choose the party’s mayoral nominee from among 11 hopefuls, with irascible former governor Andrew Cuomo and youthful democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani seen as the leading contenders — although Brad Lander, the city comptroller, made his own headlines last week after being detained by ICE.
Opinion: Most Indiana elections aren't competitive. Ranked-choice voting would help.
Opinion: Most Indiana elections aren't competitive. Ranked-choice voting would help. Deb Otis and David Daley | Opinion Contributors Show Caption Hide Caption Local feminism group makes bracelets to encourage poll voters. Local feminism group makes 'Voting Era' bracelets ahead of Taylor Swift's Era Tour stop in Indianapolis. If Indiana voters don’t recognize some of the names on their ballot in November, it’s not their fault. Not many Hoosiers had a say in selecting them.
Books: Making Democracy Count should be at the top of the summer reading list
By Deb Otis At a time when a record number of Americans report pessimism about the future of democracy and dissatisfaction with Congress, there’s a new spotlight on systemic election reforms. Topics like ranked choice voting and proportional representation are seeing increased interest and momentum, which leaves many readers wanting to understand more, especially those working in civics or policymaking who may need to evaluate these proposals on their merits.
Guest Opinion: Let’s fix our presidential primaries with ranked-choice voting
Fifteen states are holding presidential primaries this April and May. And at a time when party polarization seems stronger than ever, Donald Trump and Joe Biden voters seem to agree on at least one question: What’s the point? The Washington Post found that only about one in 10 voters nationwide took part in a primary or caucus through Super Tuesday. Turnout has tumbled further since then.
Let's fix our presidential primaries with ranked-choice voting
By Meredith Sumpter and Deb Otis, The Fulcrum Fifteen states are holding presidential primaries this April and May. And at a time when party polarization seems stronger than ever, Donald Trump and Joe Biden voters seem to agree on at least one question: What's the point?
Let’s fix our presidential primaries with ranked-choice voting
Sumpter is CEO of FairVote, a nonpartisan organization seeking better elections. Otis is FairVote’s director of research and policy. Fifteen states are holding presidential primaries this April and May. And at a time when party polarization seems stronger than ever, Donald Trump and Joe Biden voters seem to agree on at least one question: What’s the point? The Washington Post found that only about one in 10 voters nationwide took part in a primary or caucus through Super Tuesday.
Commentary: Oscars show benefit of ranked-choice voting
Millions of viewers who tuned into the Academy Awards on Sunday got a crash course on how to run better elections. That’s because the Oscars have used ranked-choice voting — frequently called the “preferential ballot” by the Academy and its members — to pick the Best Picture winner since 2009 and for nominees in most categories since the 1930s. Ranked-choice voting is growing quickly in elections nationwide — it’s now used in Alaska and Maine.
The Oscars show how ranked-choice voting can upgrade our elections
Millions of viewers will tune into the Academy Awards on Sunday. They’ll learn whether Jimmy Kimmel can keep his material fresh during his fourth hosting stint and see who comes out on top in the “Barbenheimer” clash. At the same time, they’ll get a crash course on how to run better elections.
The Oscars Show How Ranked Choice Voting Can Upgrade Our Elections – DC Journal - InsideSources
Millions of viewers will tune into the Academy Awards on Sunday. They’ll learn whether Jimmy Kimmel can keep his material fresh during his fourth hosting stint and see who comes out on top in the “Barbenheimer” clash. At the same time, they’ll get a crash course on how to run better elections.
Houghton and Otis: Ranked choice voting won
In the wake of the 2023 elections, the bulk of media coverage and analysis has understandably focused on whether Democrats or Republicans have more momentum going into 2024. But there’s no question that Election Day 2023 gave momentum to the fastest-growing nonpartisan voting reform in the nation: ranked choice voting. On Nov. 7, 11 cities across six states used ranked choice voting in their elections, including Boulder, Colo., which used ranked choice for the first time to elect a mayor.
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Ranked-choice voting won Election Day 2023
In the wake of the 2023 elections, the bulk of media coverage and analysis has understandably focused on whether Democrats or Republicans have more momentum going into 2024. But there’s no question that Election Day 2023 gave momentum to the fastest-growing nonpartisan voting reform in the nation: ranked-choice voting. kAm~?
Commentary: Ranked choice voting won election day 2023
In the wake of the 2023 elections, the bulk of media coverage and analysis has understandably focused on whether Democrats or Republicans have more momentum going into 2024. But there’s no question that Election Day 2023 gave momentum to the fastest-growing nonpartisan voting reform in the nation: ranked choice voting. On Nov. 7, 11 cities across six states used ranked choice voting (RCV) in their elections, including Boulder, Colorado, which used RCV for the first time to elect their mayor.
Ranked choice voting won election day 2023
In the wake of the 2023 elections, the bulk of media coverage and analysis has understandably focused on whether Democrats or Republicans have more momentum going into 2024. But there's no question that Election Day 2023 gave momentum to the fastest-growing nonpartisan voting reform in the nation: ranked choice voting. On Nov. 7, 11 cities across six states used ranked choice voting (RCV) in their elections, including Boulder, Colorado, which used RCV for the first time to elect their mayor.
Commentary: Ranked choice voting won election day 2023
In the wake of the 2023 elections, the bulk of media coverage and analysis has understandably focused on whether Democrats or Republicans have more momentum going into 2024. But there’s no question that Election Day 2023 gave momentum to the fastest-growing nonpartisan voting reform in the nation: ranked choice voting. On Nov. 7, 11 cities across six states used ranked choice voting (RCV) in their elections, including Boulder, Colorado, which used RCV for the first time to elect their mayor.
Commentary: Ranked choice voting won election day 2023
In the wake of the 2023 elections, the bulk of media coverage and analysis has understandably focused on whether Democrats or Republicans have more momentum going into 2024. But there’s no question that Election Day 2023 gave momentum to the fastest-growing nonpartisan voting reform in the nation: ranked choice voting. kAmp?5 >@C6 G@E6CD H2?E E@ ;@:?
Wasteful runoff elections are the real March Madness
Phoenix Bolsters Case for RCV On Tuesday, Phoenix, AZ held runoff elections for its 6th and 8th City Council Districts – five months after the November general election. That means duplicative costs to taxpayers in the nation’s fifth-largest city, another half year of candidate campaigning, and worst of all: a huge decline in turnout. When all the votes are counted, participation could be cut in half! One candidate said she hoped turnout in the runoff would crack 15%.
Results and analysis from Maine’s 2nd district
Maine voters used ranked choice voting (RCV) to choose their Representative for the 2nd Congressional District on November 8th. Maine is now in its third cycle of RCV elections since it implemented RCV in 2018.
New poll shows impact of ranked choice voting in Maine
A new poll from SurveyUSA provides insight into upcoming high profile races in Maine, as well as voters' sentiments about [...]
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