This move will give voters the final say on the November 2024 ballot and decide whether Oregon’s future statewide and federal races should be conducted with the increasingly popular election model.
Oregon is the first state in which the Legislature approved sending the question to voters.
In ranked-choice elections, voters identify their first choices on their ballots, then rank the other candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes on the first count, the election moves to an instant runoff. The candidate with the fewest votes gets eliminated, and ballots cast for that candidate are recast for voters’ second choices. The process repeats itself until a candidate reaches a majority.
Advocates of the ranked-choice voting system said the model helps to draw in voters turned off by the two-party system and limit negative campaigning by candidates.
“It’s no secret that this is my wheelhouse issue,” said House Speaker Dan Rayfield following the vote in the Senate. “I have supported Ranked Choice Voting since I was 19 years old. Today, House Bill 2004 passed the Senate and heads to the governor’s desk for signature. In no uncertain terms, Ranked Choice Voting will strengthen our democracy. Giving voters more choice encourages voter engagement, ensures people in power are elected by a true 50% majority, and leads to better, more positive elections and election outcomes.”If voters in Oregon approve the implementation of ranked-choice voting in 2024, it would go into effect starting in 2028 for primary and general elections in the state for races including the president, Congress, governor, and Oregon secretary of state. The measure would also allow cities and counties to opt out of using the system in their local elections.
Oregon is the latest state to advance the model amid a growing nationwide movement to boost its use. If voters approve the measure, it would become the third state to use the model for federal and statewide elections.Last year, Alaska became the second state to use ranked choice voting in state and federal elections. Maine has used the system in state and federal elections since 2018.
Oregon is the first state to refer the decision to voters through the legislative process.
“The way that ranked-choice voting has taken off in Oregon is just amazing, frankly,” Blair Bobier, co-founder of Oregon Ranked Choice Voting Advocates, said.
“When you do the exit polling, overwhelmingly voters feel they have a better voice in this process,” House Speaker Dan Rayfield said.Republicans are skeptical of using this voting system.
“Ranked choice voting ultimately disconnects voters from issues and allows fringe candidates to win elections,” state Rep. Bobby Levy said. “We cannot afford to join the handful of states replacing traditional elections with the obtuse deconstruction of political accountability.”
Rayfield said some county elections officials are also leery of the change. One reason the bill would not ask voters to implement ranked-choice voting on legislative races, he said, is that county clerks were worried that additional races using the system would take up too much ballot space.
“Even though they’re not terribly excited about it, in listening and taking their advice… we believed the correct approach is to compromise and give them something that would make them feel more comfortable,” Rayfield said.
The current voting system could pressure people to choose an ‘electable’ candidate rather than one that aligns with their values, but a ranked-choice system could change that.
“What I appreciate about Ranked Choice Voting is that it serves as a disincentive to the kinds of mudslinging that dominate many campaigns under a first-past-the-post voting system,” House Majority Leader Julie Fahey said in a statement. “To be successful under RCV, a candidate must build bridges and broaden their appeal.”
