Though there is a broad spectrum of opinions in this presidential election, polls indicate that many voters wish they had different candidates to choose from.

Their dilemma highlights fundamental problems with our current election system, in which candidates can win with only a minority of votes (a “plurality”). One recent presidential primary ballot included 33 candidates, making it possible for a candidate to win that state’s delegates with as little as 4% of the vote.

Indeed, too many primaries and elections are won by candidates who lack the support of a majority of citizens. Voters often fear voting for a candidate they really like, because they worry their votes would just be wasted, a phenomenon known as the “spoiler effect.” It is no wonder that so many citizens are frustrated with the current election system, feel that their votes do not count and even decide not to vote at all.

Fortunately, Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) offers an alternative voting system that solves many of these issues. RCV is an easy-to-use method of voting that is already being used successfully in many states and jurisdictions around the U.S., as well as in other countries.

Under RCV, voters can still choose to vote for only one candidate, or they can rank their preferred candidates from first choice up to as many candidates who are running. That is it – the system is that simple for the voter.

If one candidate wins a majority in the first round of counting, then that candidate wins. However, if no one wins a majority, then the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and the people who voted for that candidate as their first choice have their votes transferred to their second choice. This process of elimination and vote transferring continues until a candidate with majority support is identified.

RCV makes sure that only the candidate with the broadest-based majority support wins, and it frees voters to vote for the candidates that they most prefer, because – if their candidate doesn’t win – their votes are transferred instead of wasted.

RCV also has been proven to reduce negative campaigning, encourage voter turnout and allow a more diverse array of candidates to run and win (see FairVote.org). In short, Ranked Choice Voting helps solve many of the most fundamental issues in our current voting system. It is little wonder that so many states and communities are implementing RCV.

During the past legislative cycle, bills were proposed in the Rhode Island legislature to pilot Ranked Choice Voting in the 2028 presidential primary, which would ensure that our state’s delegates are awarded to the candidate who is truly supported by a majority of voters. Even though those bills did not come up for a vote, they may be taken up in upcoming legislative sessions… particularly if constituents show their support.

Those who want to learn more about ranked choice voting or to learn how to support its passage should go to the website of Ocean State Ranked Choice Voting, a non-partisan, non-profit organization working to implement RCV in Rhode Island: OceanStateRCV.org.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dante Diwan is a lifelong Cranston resident and 2020 graduate from Brandeis University who is deeply passionate about politics. He is currently a volunteer with the non-partisan non-profit organization Ocean State Ranked Choice Voting trying to get Ranked Choice Voting passed in Rhode Island.