New report: Ranked choice voting & military voters

Dear John,

As this fall’s elections approach, FairVote is working with local and national partners to build support for ranked choice voting (RCV) and proportional representation across the country. We’re excited to share a new report on how ranked choice voting empowers military and overseas voters to make their voices heard, plus other updates including:

How FairVote is making the national case for proportional representation to end the gerrymandering wars
Record momentum for RCV in Maryland cities
A new endorsement of RCV from the American Bar Association’s Task Force for American Democracy
A deep-dive webinar on New York's RCV primary, showing deep levels of voter engagement and use of the RCV ballot

A new report, co-authored by FairVote, Veterans for All Voters, and We The Veterans, examines how ranked choice voting empowers military and overseas voters in six Southern states – AL, AR, GA, LA, MS, and SC – to participate in runoff elections.

It’s hard enough for military and overseas voters to receive and return one ballot – imagine trying to do it twice in a short period. Ranked choice voting solves this problem. Voters receive a single mailing before Election Day, and can rank their choices. If a runoff election occurs, the voter’s ballot counts for whichever runoff candidate is ranked highest – ensuring their voice is heard.

As Texas, California, Missouri, and other red and blue states spar over who can gerrymander the most, FairVote Senior Fellow and national gerrymandering expert David Daley has been everywhere, connecting the dots and explaining why this national problem needs a national solution: the Fair Representation Act.

Daley has made the case across some of our most-read and most-watched national news outlets, as well as with local journalists in Texas, California, and states across the country. Check out some of his recent appearances on NPR, CNN, MSNBC, and the national Here and Now public radio show.

This summer has seen incredible momentum for ranked choice voting in the Old Line State. Cities in three counties are taking steps toward reform.

On September 8, the Greenbelt, MD City Council finalized a ballot measure that will put ranked choice voting before voters this November. City councils in Rockville and the capital city of Annapolis have held recent hearings, and could be next to join Greenbelt.

Our friends at Ranked Choice Voting Maryland are leading these tremendous advocacy efforts. Visit their website to learn more and get involved.

The American Bar Association’s bipartisan Task Force for American Democracy endorsed ranked choice voting in its latest report. The Association highlighted how RCV ensures elected officials have majority support, giving them “true democratic mandates.” The ABA also pointed to RCV’s ability to minimize political polarization and enhance elected leader accountability to voters, while noting that “voters in cities that use ranked choice voting overwhelmingly support it.”

You can also check out an excellent report the task force published earlier this year – which found that RCV can increase voter turnout and decrease negative campaigning, among other benefits.

In case you missed it: FairVote hosted a deep-dive webinar last month on the 2025 New York City ranked choice voting primaries. The full recording is available here, and FairVote’s analysis of the city’s cast vote record is here.

The evidence is clear, as reported by the New York Times and other national publications: New York City voters made full use of their RCV ballots and had more say in who was elected. Nearly 8 in 10 want to keep or expand RCV.

If you followed the highest-profile RCV election of the year but are looking for even more info on how RCV impacted the campaigns, give it a watch!

Finally, here are recent top stories from FairVote, which are great quick reads when you have a chance:

Onwards with thanks,
Meredith Sumpter
FairVote President and CEO

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