It’ll likely go nowhere before the clock runs out, but one Northern Virginia legislator is affirming his support for legislation mandating ranked-choice voting for primary and general elections for U.S. Congress.
U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th) had joined with U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) to reintroduce a measure that would eliminate winner-take-all congressional elections and replace them with the ranked-choice format.
“By implementing ranked-choice voting, which ensures that winners are elected with majority popular support, we can encourage the election of leaders who build broad and diverse coalitions and are focused on solutions rather than divisive rhetoric,” Beyer said in a statement. “This would increase voter satisfaction and be a great win for a healthier democracy.”
The measure has picked up a handful of cosponsors. A similar bill, with similar prospects, has been introduced by U.S. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.). If passed, they would mandate using ranked-choice voting starting in 2028.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the measure has the support of organizations that are seeking to change voting methods in support of the ranked-choice format.
“The Ranked-Choice Voting Act would help make our democracy fairer and more representative because it gives voters more choice and enables the election of candidates who have broader support in their community,” said Trevor Potter, founder and president of the Campaign Legal Center, in a statement released by Beyer’s office.
While the measure is dead on arrival for this session of Congress, a spokesman for Beyer told the GazetteLeader it is not unusual for a measure to be reintroduced as a marker to keep the idea alive, garner further support and continue conversations that might bear fruit when political winds are more favorable.
The Virginia General Assembly in 2020-21 gave localities the option of moving from winner-take-all to ranked-choice elections for governing bodies. After trying it in two Democratic primaries, Arlington County Board members have ordered the switch starting this year for County Board general elections. The change has received mixed reviews among the voting public in the county.
