Why did Colorado progressives oppose a ranked choice voting measure?

Ranked-choice voting has long been touted by advocates on the left as a democratizing force. Yet a 2024 ballot measure in Colorado that would create immediate runoff elections for major state and federal elections has largely filtered through those same groups.

In addition to establishing a ranked choice for the general election, Proposition 131 would implement one top four primary for governor, attorney general and federal congressional races, among others. This new primary process would see candidates from all parties competing for four spots on the general election ballot – only candidates with the most primary votes would advance.

The measure would theoretically allow four candidates from the same party to run in the general election (or four candidates from four different parties). Critics say the change would increase the money and labor needed to run a successful political campaign by making the primaries as important as the general election.

“Right now, Colorado primaries tend to favor people who are more centrist or more connected,” the spokesperson said Boulder progressives board member Lisa Sweeney-Miran. “We do not believe this will solve the problem. We are convinced that this will worsen the situation.”

Essentially, Proposition 131 aims to eliminate Colorado’s primary format and replace it with a winner-take-all system, much like our current general election process. Opponents, like Sweeney-Miran, say the damage of a so-called ‘jungle primary’ would negate the benefit of an immediate runoff election. However, proponents have argued that any move toward a ranked-choice system is a step in the right direction.

“While Colorado has among the best voter integrity and access protections, no voting system is perfect,” Governor Jared Polis posted on Facebook in September. “I think direct runoff voting is better than our current system because it gives voters more options.”

How does ranked choice affect political outcomes?

There’s no way to know in advance exactly how the rankings will affect politics in Colorado, but in recent years political scientists have conducted research that might offer some hints.

Alan Simmons is research director at the Center for State Policy and Leadership at the University of Illinois Springfield. His research group a study published that examined how ranked-choice voting could influence the outcome of U.S. presidential elections. In 2020, Simmons and his associates solicited mock ballots from 62 respondents. Half of respondents voted in a ranked choice format, which was clearly explained to them, while the other half voted in a standard format.

The researchers found that the ranked choice system clearly increased support for third-party candidates (Green and Libertarian Party candidates).

“People are free because they don’t feel like they’re wasting their vote,” Simmons told KUNC.

Interestingly, Simmons and other researchers have also found that ranked voters tend to be more satisfied with election results.

“Your first choice may not win, but your second choice will,” Simmons said. “You still have that advantage. You also had to put that on paper.”

Although ranked choice voting has a significant amount of academic research behind it, the top four primaries are relatively untested. Alaska was the first state to use the format in 2022. This year Alaska voters will vote on a measure to repeal the system in favor of a partisan primary.

Voter education

According to Simmons, any potential benefits of ranked choice depend on an effective effort to inform voters. Conversely, if voters don’t understand the system, they won’t reap the benefits.

Molly Fitzpatrick, Boulder County clerk and recorder, echoed this sentiment. Her team was monitoring the rollout of a new ranked choice system for The City of Boulder’s mayoral race last year. They were given three years to design, test and implement the system after Boulder voters passed a ballot measure in 2020. According to Fitzpatrick, it was just enough time to get the word out.

“We wanted voters to understand what happened,” Fitzpatrick told KUNC.

Fitzpatrick questioned the two-year deadline Proposition 131 proposes for implementation of a statewide ranked choice system.

“There’s no governance for a lot of this right now,” she said. “There are still many unanswered questions.”

However, A bill was passed in the Senate last summer would now require the new format to be tested in a pilot group of local districts before being implemented on a statewide scale. The new law could have the effect of delaying Proposition 131 if it passes. Supporters, including Governor Polisargue that this delay will give election officials enough time to educate voters and work out the kinks in the system.

Is there a better way?

Some opponents, including U.S. Rep. Lauren Boeberthave spoken out against the ranked choice aspect of Proposition 131. Yet most oppositional arguments have instead focused on the measure’s four key clauses.

Opponents point this out Maine’s Ranked Choice System as a better model. In 2017, the state implemented a ranked choice system in both the primary and general election phases for federal seats. The new system keeps primaries partisan, meaning voters choose one party to cast their primary vote for.

Opponents argue that Kent Thiry, Proposition 131’s leading backer, has more to gain from a top-four primary than Colorado voters. Thiry is the CEO of the healthcare company DaVita and has contributed nearly $1.5 million in personal funds to support the measure. according to Ballotpedia.

“Billionaires trying to buy elections are part of the problem with politics to begin with, and this measure makes it even easier for them to tilt the system in their favor,” wrote Shad Murib, chairman of the Democratic Party of Colorado , in a statement. “Proposition 131 is an overly complicated and expensive measure created by billionaire Kent Thiry without input from election secretaries.”

Proponents, on the other hand, argue that the main effect of the new system will be to maximize the impact of every vote, regardless of voters’ political preferences.

“Ultimately, our November ballot measure will give voters better candidate choices and a greater voice in our elections,” the website for Colorado voters firstthe interest group formed around Proposition 131.

On Election Day, Coloradans will decide whether to overhaul the statewide election system or maintain the status quo. The outcome will impact state elections for years to come.