PA lawmakers push for ranked choice voting to replace traditional plurality elections

2HARRISBURG, PA – Seeking to reduce polarization and strengthen voter confidence, Representatives Christopher Rabb and John Inglis III are introducing legislation that would let Pennsylvania counties and municipalities adopt ranked choice voting in local and state elections.

The Democratic lawmakers say the measure would allow jurisdictions to move away from the state’s current plurality system, under which candidates can win elections without securing a majority of votes.

Rabb said ranked choice voting, or RCV, would ensure that every elected official receives more than 50 percent of voter support, reflecting the true will of the electorate.

In RCV, voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no one earns a majority in the first round, the lowest-ranking candidates are eliminate