The system of ranked-choice voting (RCV) has been gaining attention and support, even from members of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA). Alaska, Maine, and various U.S. municipalities have adopted RCV in recent years, with critics often referring to it as “rigged-choice voting.”
In an op-ed, CPUSA members Drew Bradley and Ryan Krueger endorse RCV as a tool to advance their party’s candidates in elections. They argue that RCV can help them gain political power and thwart “far-right” candidates, benefiting Democrats in the process.
However, RCV has drawn criticism for its potential to influence election outcomes. The system has been shown to boost Democrats’ electoral prospects, with examples in Alaska and Maine where Republicans lost despite winning more first-round votes.
A study by the Foundation for Government Accountability found that RCV is largely supported by Democrats, with few bipartisan bills introduced in favor of the system. Some, like Ken Cuccinelli of the Election Transparency Initiative, warn against RCV’s potential to corrupt elections and advance left-leaning interests.
States like Alabama, Oklahoma, and Kentucky have moved to prohibit RCV in their elections, joining others who have already outlawed the system. Critics argue that RCV should be banned to prevent manipulation and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
