LETTER: RCV lowers barriers, increases participation

As a Professor of Political Science at the University of Minnesota, I have studied different voting systems and became interested in the potential of ranked choice voting to encourage more candidates to run and more voters to participate, helping to ensure more representative outcomes. The 2021 ranked-choice election in Minnetonka showed promise on both fronts. Twelve candidates ran for three offices, the greatest number of candidates ever for a Minnetonka City election –– only to be outdone by this year’s ranked-choice election where 13 candidates are running for the four ward council seats. That greater choice and competition in 2021 encouraged Minnetonka residents to turnout and vote. The 2021 election saw a surge in voter participation: 52% higher than the average for general city council elections since 1985 and 95% higher than the average over the past 10 years. 

Even setting aside the increased general election turnout, ranked choice voting automatically increases voter participation by ending the city primary, where a small percentage of voters would decide the two candidates the rest of the city could consider in November. Now that the voters have more choices and races are more competitive, more voters are engaging in their local democracy. 

Eliminating that summer primary removes a barrier that may have prevented some candidates from running at all. In the 2021 ranked-choice election, Minnetonka voters elected two women to the two at-large city council seats, and one of those women was the second Black city council member elected in the history of the city. This is consistent with research which shows that RCV benefits women as well as candidates and voters of color as it removes barriers like the primary and prevents vote-splitting when candidates run from the same community.

In short, ranked choice voting is more inclusive and representative, and not surprisingly, voters in Minnetonka (according to the city survey) and other Minnesota cities like it. RCV makes elections more convenient and gives voters more choice and power in deciding their local officials. Minnetonka voters should vote NO on repeal and keep ranked choice voting. 

Dr. Michael Minta