Analysis of 2021 RCV elections in Minnesota show growing success

Posted

I’m excited to share our analysis of the RCV elections in Minnesota this past November. 2021 has been a historic year for Ranked Choice Voting here and across the country. Bloomington, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park, and St. Paul all used RCV for their municipal elections. Never before have we had five Minnesota cities – representing 16 percent of Minnesota voters – conducting ranked-choice elections at the same time. These elections were among the more than 30 cities across the country using RCV for local elections this year.
The 2021 municipal elections in the five metro cities greatly exceeded expectations. The elections showed the power of RCV to create a more inclusive, participatory and representative democracy. With stronger than expected voter participation due to large and diverse competitive campaigns, high levels of ranking among voters of all ages, ethnicities, income and education levels, and a nearly 100 percent valid ballot rate, voters demonstrated that they understood RCV, they liked it and – based on consistent exit polling interviews – they want to continue using it.
These trends have become more pronounced with each consecutive election in which RCV is used. In addition, we saw RCV mitigate the kind of polarization we see in traditional elections. In particular, despite rancor from the ballot measure campaigns in Minneapolis, most candidates ran issue-oriented campaigns and focused on building coalitions. Those with the largest coalitions won and by and large, negative campaigning didn’t work. In sum, the RCV elections this cycle continue to build the momentum for expanding RCV in more communities and in state and federal elections.
Read our full analysis, including a summary breakdown of data in Minneapolis and Bloomington in our RCV By The Numbers. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like any additional information.
With gratitude and well wishes for the holidays,
Jeanne Massey,
Executive Director
FairVote Minnesota

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here