This is a beautiful and compelling story about what the People can do. Against all odds, the people in Maine force the politicians to listen. If only “as Maine goes, so goes the Nation”! —Lawrence Lessig
From Maine to New Mexico, citizens across America are clamoring for free and fair elections through Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). Our story unfolds as voters organizing to enact the reform face fierce pushback from establishment politicians. The film looks at the historical rise, fall, and rebirth of RCV in the United States and abroad, and embed viewers in the front line of the battle raging over voters’ rights.
Through a ballot measure in November 2016, the citizens of Maine voted to become the first state in the nation to use Ranked Choice Voting statewide for federal and state elections. One year later, the legislature and governor moved to kill the bill, claiming it was unconstitutional. However, the people have final say through a process called the People’s Veto. Now they have 90 days to collect over sixty thousand signatures in the depth of the Maine winter. Will they succeed?
Enlivened with colorful hand-drawn animation, The Battle for Ranked Choice Voting follows Maine’s story, drops in on cities like Memphis, Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Santa Fe that have adopted Ranked Choice Voting, and takes viewers on a whirlwind tour of non-plurality systems dominant throughout the world. Follow this citizen uprising to restore our failing democracy!
Shondra was main editor of Errol Morris' Fast, Cheap & Out of Control, and films by filmmakers Jocelyn Glatzer and Tom Curran.
The authors explore the history of RCV, describe the systems presently used to conduct presidential primaries and explore how RCV could improve outcomes for both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Seattle and at least six other jurisdictions around the country approved measures to change how they elect their leaders.
Rob Richie joins Andrew Yang to explain what Ranked Choice could mean for 2024.
We could be the first state to pass ranked-choice voting with legislative action.
This November marked the first general election using Alaska’s “top four” format, and it’s already making good on its promise to create a healthier political culture.
More than 15 million people now have access to ranked elections, and that number is only growing
As ranked-choice voting appears poised to be adopted in Seattle, statewide elections might be next for its proponents.
Another hurdle in the form of a second statewide vote in the 2024 election remains.
The Burlington City Council passed two election-related charter changes that will head to voters in March.
South Carolina, along with five other Southern states, provides instant-runoff absentee ballots in the primaries for military and overseas voters.
Seattle is set to join a growing number of cities to make the switch to ranked-choice voting for its primary elections.
Voters in seven states voted on a record 10 ranked-choice voting (RCV) initiatives last week.
