| Sean Cavanaugh | WRGB |
Ranked-choice voting, a system that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference instead of choosing just one, is gaining traction in Albany as a grassroots group pushes to bring the idea to voters.
The voting method is used in 49 jurisdictions across the U.S., including California and Minneapolis. In New York state, Newburgh and New York City use ranked-choice voting for primary elections only.
It’s a really good system of voting
In Albany, a group of residents formed in 2025 to educate the public and advocate for the city to adopt ranked-choice voting. “It’s a really good system of voting,” said Dorian Solot, a co-chair of Rank Choice Voting Albany. Solot said the system “solves some of the problems we have, eliminates the spoiler effect,” and added, “It’s really been gaining popularity in many, many cities all over the country.”
Rank Choice Voting Albany has submitted a petition to the city with more than 3,200 signatures, seeking to bring the proposal to the Common Council. The group hopes the council will approve putting the question before voters on the ballot this November.