RANKED CHOICE VOTING: Too confusing

Simple and straightforward describes our current ballot system. As the voter, we check the box next to the name of the person we support, votes are counted and the person with the most votes wins. Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is anything but simple and straightforward. Due to the complexity, it is impossible to fully describe RCV in this limited space (I would encourage everyone to take the time to go online and try to understand the process). On the very confusing RCV ballot, you rank the candidates in the order of your preference. Then the real behind the scenes CALCULATIONS begin. Recounts cannot be done by hand, but must be run through the same computer calculation system. It’s been described as a runoff election. Ultimately, your vote may not even count. How does that sound?

As of May 2024, there were 1,000,702 registered voters (Republican 585,737; Democrat 125,585; Unaffiliated 273,862; Other 15,518) in Idaho. Curiously, Democrats, the second least represented, are the most ardent supporters of RCV. Various forms of RCV have existed since 1912. If it’s so wonderful, why is it not used for all elections in all states? The answer is quite simple. Ranked Choice Voting (Proposition 1: Open Primary/RCV) is NOT wonderful. In fact, it is confusing. And confused voters simply won’t vote. Perhaps that is the goal.  

KAREN MILACEK

Post Falls