| Armin Samii | Pennsylvania Capital-Star |
Voters shouldn’t be afraid to vote for the person they like best. Ranked choice voting is an elegant solution – for both voters and parties – that gives voters more choice, not less. Alaska and Maine already use RCV for their presidential elections. Pennsylvania should follow suit.
No more ‘spoiler effect’
Voters who aren’t thrilled about Harris or Trump could support their favorite candidate without the fear that they’d help their least favorite win in the process. No more “spoiler effect.” Instead of trying to knock Stein, Oliver, or others off the ballot, both parties would appeal for their supporters’ votes.
RCV is already used in local, state, or federal elections in 50 localities nationwide, and is on the ballot in four more states in November. But it’s swing states like Pennsylvania where this kind of upgrade could have the most impact.
Armin Samii is a ranked choice voting (RCV) advocate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is the founder of RCVis, and volunteers with March on Harrisburg to bring RCV to Pennsylvania.
