Rank MI Vote Ballot Question Committee is a Michigan-based volunteer-run, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to educating the Michigan public about Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), and placing before voters electoral reforms that increase the range of choices on the ballot while producing fairer outcomes.
We advocate for the expanded use of Ranked Choice Voting, which allows voters to rank the candidates on the ballot in order of preference. This improved method of voting would make Michigan elections more competitive and fair by encouraging the participation of more candidates and parties, and by ensuring outcomes that more accurately reflect the will of the voters.
Rank MI Vote Ballot Question Committee is legally organized to directly advocate for ballot questions in Michigan.
(Separately, Rank MI Vote is a 501(c)3 organization promoting education about and the use of Ranked Choice Voting in Michigan.)
”As a lifelong Michigander, I’ve seen firsthand how passionate we are about our state — and how intense our elections can be. Ranked Choice Voting is a simple change that brings Michiganders together and delivers results that better reflect the outcomes voters want. I’m proud to lead the effort to give voters more voice, more choice, and more power. Let's make our state — and the state of our politics — better with Ranked Choice Voting!
Pat ZabawaExecutive Director, Rank MI Vote Ballot Question Committee
Kate has had a variety of jobs and rich experiences throughout her career, from ESL Instructor for college-bound students in Indonesia to VP of Employee Experience at Red Door Interactive in San Diego, CA. In between, she worked as a web developer, a software trainer, a project manager, and a director of learning & organizational development. In her newest iteration, Kate provides guidance and support to organizations as an organizational and leadership development consultant.
The common thread through Kate’s career choices has been “development”; she’s most satisfied taking an idea or concept, picturing a better state of that idea, and turn it into reality for either herself or others. Kate’s the proud mom & wife in a family of strong individuals, currently making their way through the world with a great family support system.
In retirement, Kate has been volunteering with a number of Ranked Choice Voting local & state organizations, starting with More Choice San Diego, and then joining Cal RCV’s executive team. After moving back to Michigan in 2022, she connected with Rank MI Vote and is now a volunteer co-director of the statewide field team and board secretary for the Rank MI Vote c3 & c4 boards. She continues her board membership on the Cal RCV c3 & c4 boards as well..
She approaches her volunteer efforts in the same way she approaches family and work endeavors:: find the best in the people around you and work with them to maximize your collective success.
Tashawna Gill is a Detroit native, lifelong organizer, and respected political strategist with over a decade of experience shaping Michigan’s political landscape. She holds multiple degrees from Wayne County Community College and the University of Michigan, including a Master’s in Education & Science. Since entering politics in 2013, she has led grassroots efforts at every level, from Mayor Mike Duggan’s campaign to serving as Political Advisor to Governor Gretchen Whitmer. She has also managed winning campaigns, including for State Senator Mary Cavanagh, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, played a key role in helping Senator Lea Webb make history as the first Black woman to represent New York’s 52nd State Senate District.
In 2022, Tashawna joined Supermajority as Michigan State Program Director, where she led her team to contact 1.4 million women voters in the gubernatorial election, helping secure statewide victories across key counties. In 2024, she once again directed Supermajority’s Michigan program, leading a powerhouse team that knocked on more than 90,000 doors and made over 4 million voter contacts, solidifying her reputation as one of the most effective grassroots organizers in the state.
Beyond campaigns, Tashawna is the founder of several community-driven organizations, including C.U.P.C.A.K.E Princess, which empowers young women, and the African American Leadership Institute, where she serves as Executive Director. Across all of her work, her mission is clear: to empower people, build grassroots power, and ensure every voice is heard.
Mary Perrin is a retired engineer and civic leader with decades of experience in automotive safety, systems engineering, and organizational leadership. Raised in a faith tradition grounded in social justice, she has carried those values into her civic work. A longtime advocate for Ranked Choice Voting, she joined Rank MI Vote in 2022 and has contributed across data, policy research, and organizational operations.
Mary now serves in leadership roles spanning executive assistance, finance, and regulatory affairs, helping strengthen internal systems and support strategic direction. She has also spent countless hours in the field, talking with voters and gathering signatures during the ballot petition campaign, playing a hands-on role in building public understanding and support.
Before her civic work, Mary spent more than 30 years with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now Stellantis), including as Global Safety Test Lead overseeing worldwide testing strategy and operations. Her career reflects deep technical expertise and a strong focus on safety and operational excellence.
Mary lives near Plymouth with her husband, who is also active in Rank MI Vote, currently supporting Clerk Outreach and Research. Together, they have one daughter. Mary is driven by a commitment to strengthening democratic systems where voters can express their hopes, not their fears, and where government is truly by the people, for the people.
Jodie Rubenstein serves as the Senior Director of Partnerships at Democracy Alliance. Trained as a social worker, Jodie has an extensive background in fundraising, organizational management, donor organizing, and electoral politics. Most recently, Jodie served as the Vice President of External Relations at Patriotic Millionaires and launched their inaugural PAC. Prior to that, Jodie spent six years at J Street formalizing a leadership development pipeline–recruiting, cultivating and soliciting major donors, advising on political strategy, and engaging donors in federal advocacy work. Before relocating to Washington DC, Jodie worked as a children’s therapist at Sanctuary for Families in the Brooklyn Family Justice Center, providing counseling to child witnesses and victims of domestic violence. Jodie holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University School of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Wesleyan University. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband and two children.
Ken Whittaker is a seasoned organizer, strategist, and movement leader with more than two decades of experience building grassroots power and advancing racial, economic, and social justice. Throughout his career, he has led efforts to dismantle systemic barriers, build multiracial coalitions, and move communities from surviving to thriving. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Michigan-Flint, where he earned honors as a Maize and Blue Distinguished Scholar.
As Executive Director of Michigan United and Michigan United Action, Ken leads statewide strategies focused on civic engagement, movement organizing, and political advocacy. He oversees organizational growth, strategic direction, and leadership development, advancing campaigns rooted in dignity, equity, and opportunity while expanding the organization’s impact across Michigan. Previously, as Movement Politics Director, he built and scaled the organization’s largest political program—managing teams of up to 75 staff, securing record-breaking funding, and training hundreds of emerging leaders. His work helped flip key legislative seats and strengthen grassroots power across the state.
Before entering movement politics, Ken built a self-taught career in technology—earning certifications and launching his own business. He transitioned into public service as a legislative aide in the Michigan House of Representatives and a labor and community organizer.
A lifelong Detroiter, Ken lives in the city with his wife, Shanay Watson-Whittaker. Together, they have raised six young adults who are following in their footsteps, and he is a proud Navy dad. Across all of his work, his mission is clear: to break down barriers, build real power, and make justice unstoppable.
Ron Zimmerman is a civic reform leader and retired process engineer with decades of experience driving large-scale systems change in both industry and democracy. With more than 30 years leading global process and technology improvements at companies including Johnson & Johnson and Accenture, he brings a deep background in operational strategy, efficiency, and organizational transformation.
Ron served as the founding volunteer Executive Director of Rank MI Vote since 2020 after being part of the team that launched Rank MI Vote in 2019, helping build the organization into a leading force for electoral reform in Michigan. Under his leadership, Rank MI Vote secured four city-level campaign victories and expanded statewide awareness of Ranked Choice Voting as a critical next step in strengthening democracy. As a volunteer leader, he also spearheaded many of the organization’s “30 Townhalls in 30 Days” campaign, engaging communities across Michigan and building grassroots momentum.
Ron’s path to reform work began with Michigan’s successful 2018 independent redistricting movement, where he volunteered with Voters Not Politicians in the Lansing region. Inspired by leaders in the democracy reform space and driven by a belief that democracy must continuously evolve to remain strong, he has dedicated himself to advancing systems that better represent voters and expand democracy participation.
Ron holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University.
