DC Latino Caucus Joins Coalition To Implement Ranked Choice Voting for DC Elections

This week the DC Latino Caucus Board of Directors voted to join the "Rank the Vote DC" coalition to push for the implementation of ranked choice voting in DC. We believe that adopting Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) will increase the representation of minorities and people from underrepresented backgrounds in our city's elected offices. We also believe it will increase the chances of realizing our dream of having DC's first Latino/a Councilmember.

What is RCV?

RCV is a change in how people vote for a candidate to an elected office where there are multiple candidates on the ballot. Today you vote for your top choice of candidate, and you are not able to express your preferences if your top choice doesn't win the election.

Under RCV, you have the power to rank your choices instead of just choosing one candidate. If your preferred candidate doesn't win, your vote moves to your back up choices and gives them a higher chance of being the winner.

How does it work?

This quick video clearly explains how RCV works:

In summary, voters rank their candidates. If no candidate wins 50% from voters' top choices, the one with the fewest votes is eliminated and voters who picked that candidate move on to their second choice. A second count takes place and the process repeats until one candidate has 50% or more.

What's wrong with just voting for one candidate?

When you vote for just one candidate in a crowded field, a candidate can win despite earning a small minority of the total vote. This winner-take-all system means someone can win even though the majority of voters didn't want that candidate.

Under RCV, a candidate has to actually win 50% or more of the vote from voters' primary or subsequent choices. Candidates still have to work hard to be voters' top choice, but they can also reach out to voters that might not consider them a top choice but perhaps a back-up choice.

With RCV, voters also don't feel forced to just choose one candidate, which may become whoever they think is the most likely winner. They can give their ranked choices to other candidates they may like as well.

How will RCV make it more likely that DC will see its first Latino/a Councilmember?

Research indicates that RCV increases representation from candidates who are women and People of Color. Candidates from these communities can be at a disadvantage in a winner-take-all system where factors like name recognition or money can generate just enough votes for a victory from a small percentage of the total votes. If there are multiple Latino/a candidates, RCV would allow a voter to express his order of preferences among all of them instead of just choosing one.

How will the Latino/a community learn about RCV?

Since RCV is a new concept to many in our community, DCLC conditioned its support for RCV on ensuring that multi-lingual voter education takes place, particularly in Spanish, so that our Latino community understands how RCV works. Voter education is part of our mission and we would assist in making sure that our community knows what RCV is and takes advantage of it.

How can I help?

A Ranked Choice Voting Bill (B23-0491) is coming before the DC Council. You can contact your Councilmember to express support. For more information on how you can support this effort, visit www.rankthevotedc.org.