Santa Clara County runoff turnout dropped 53%. Ranked choice voting is the solution.
Jan 7
1 min read
Santa Clara County's December 30, 2025 assessor runoff cost an estimated $13.1 million, turnout fell 53% from the first round, and the winner got fewer total votes than in the initial election. FairVote argues ranked choice voting would avoid costly runoffs like this by finding a majority winner in a single election. The county is well positioned to switch, with Measure F's 1998 authorization, compatible voting machines bought in 2019, and AB 1227 enabling the change.
