September 30, 2024
There are strong reasons to support Ranked Choice Voting through Measure 117. Chief among them is its effect on lessening polarization. Extreme polarization is concerning in America, even in Oregon.
With the current election system, too often candidates are rewarded for bad behavior, amplifying divisiveness, partisan rancor, and rigid ideologies. This short-circuits productive discussion and promotes “us versus them” attitudes. The goal becomes winning at all costs – not compromising for the good of the people.
With Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), campaigns tend to be more civil, since it benefits candidates to seek support beyond their base. A candidate must not only win a voter’s first choice, but also appeal to those who would rank them 2nd or 3rd. With RCV, candidates must court all voters. They must broaden their positions, speak about policy, and curb highly partisan rhetoric.
There’s more. Advantages of Ranked Choice Voting clearly benefit all voters.
● Majority rule is a fundamental principle of a democratic republic. Measure 117 ensures that winning candidates capture broad, majority support.
● Tested and proven, RCV respects one person, one vote. It simply uses one ballot choice as the active vote at any one time.
● The League believes in ‘sincere’ voting without needing to be ‘strategic.’ Voters can express true preferences, knowing further choices never hurt their favorite candidate. They need not strategize as to how their ballot could protect or hurt their favorite choices.
● With RCV, voters have more voice and more expressive choices, with fewer unused votes in final round.
● RCV can buffer the influence of special interests by giving voters equal voice in governance (through the ballot box versus checkbook.)
● RCV Ensures a more meaningful ballot despite the leanings of where you live. An urban Republican or a Democrat farming in rural Oregon – both benefit.
● Measure 117 allows us to vote for WHO we want, HOW we want.
The League of Women Voters of Oregon strongly encourages a YES vote on Measure 117.
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