Better elections make (just about) everything better! Sign the petition showing your support for fairer elections with Ranked Choice Voting. Sign the Petition Ranked Choice Voting upgrades our voting system to reduce divisiveness, increase diversity, and save money. Join thousands of other Californians to call on our state and local leaders to support upgrading our elections to Ranked Choice Voting.

How well did ranked-choice voting work in the 2022 Oakland mayor’s race? Dec 1, 2022 Loren Taylor shaded the system after his loss. Oaklandside asked Sean Dugar, Cal RCV consultant and Oakland-based national elections expert, to weigh in. "An example is that prior to ranked-choice voting, Oakland had never elected a woman as mayor. Since we’ve had ranked-choice voting [since 2010] we’ve elected nothing but women as mayors. We see more Black officials elected through ranked choice voting than we have at any other point in our history, which is remarkable considering our Black population is dwindling." Read the full article at https://oaklandside.org/2022/12/01/how-well-did-ranked-choice-voting-work-in-the-2022-oakland-mayors-race/ All News & Updates

Governor Newsom signs bill allowing Ranked Choice Voting in Santa Clara County Oct 7, 2023 County is now clearly authorized to upgrade to better, fairer elections Cal RCV and its coalition partners FairVote and CfER have been working together to complete a project CfER started in November 1997 to bring Ranked Choice Voting to the 2 million people of Santa Clara County. The people of Santa Clara voted for RCV, however, there have been questions raised by the county's counsel about whether the county can choose to move to RCV, even though Santa Clara County is a charter county. Assembly Bill 1227 clarifies that Santa Clara County can indeed adopt RCV as a charter county, and on October 7, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law. The bill passed with overwhelming support in the Assembly and Senate earlier in the summer. From the AB 1227 fact sheet: PROBLEM In November 1998, Santa Clara County voters passed Measure F, with 53.9% voting in favor, to allow the use of instant runoff voting in the county when the technology became available. Instant runoff voting is another name for RCV. Although the County’s voting machines now have the capability to conduct RCV elections, the County’s Board of Supervisors would like clarity in state law that gives Santa Clara County, a charter county, control over the method of electing their county officers. SOLUTION AB 1227 allows the people’s vote to be implemented in Santa Clara County by giving authority to the County Board of Supervisors to adopt a proposal to elect county officers by RCV. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/10/07/governor-newsom-issues-legislative-update-10-7-23/ All News & Updates

California District 16 Primary Would Have Benefited From Ranked Choice Voting May 17, 2024 In close races like this, it’s especially important that every vote has its maximum impact – yet just 38% of voters selected Liccardo or Low. That means 62% of voters aren’t represented in the results. If California used RCV, that 62% of voters could have ranked backup choices on their ballots and consolidated around a viable candidate they liked. "No matter how California runs its elections, there’s always the possibility of a razor-thin outcome and even a drawn-out count or recount – that’s okay. But in a single-choice voting with a crowded field of 11 candidates, things are more likely to get complicated, unrepresentative, and sometimes flat-out weird. Ranked choice voting would be an easy upgrade with a much more representative result. Whether RCV is used in the primary, general election, or both, it would be an improvement over the current method." Read the full blog post at https://fairvote.org/california-district-16-primary-would-have-benefited-from-ranked-choice-voting/ All News & Updates

Get Involved with Your Local Efforts Are you interested in bringing RCV to your local city or county? We can help you by teaching you how to create the momentum and volunteer base necessary to do so. It'll take patience and lots of hard work, and it can be done. You can look for local efforts already underway, or contact us at info@calrcv.org to get started with your local city or county.

Redondo Beach Votes to Enact Ranked Choice Voting Mar 8, 2023 Cal RCV's campaign succeeds as the first city in Los Angeles County chooses the Instant Runoff method of voting First City in Los Angeles County to Choose the Instant Runoff Method of Voting Redondo Beach, California - The voters of Redondo Beach have spoken and have chosen to implement Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) for the city's elections, with election night results showing 77% in favor of Ballot Measure CA 5. Also known as Instant Runoff Voting, RCV allows voters to rank their choice of candidates on the ballot and eliminates the need for a runoff election while still ensuring a majority of voters pick each winner. RCV has been gaining momentum as a preferred voting system across the United States because it addresses many issues with traditional voting systems. Redondo Beach voters chose to implement RCV for the following reasons: Saves money for taxpayers: By eliminating costly runoff elections, the city will save a significant amount of money. The city’s 2013 runoff election cost nearly $300,000. Gives voters more choices: With RCV, voters have more options to choose from as they can rank their preferred candidates. This allows voters to express their preferences more accurately. Increases voter participation: RCV encourages more voter participation as voters are more engaged in the process, leading to more informed decisions and a higher voter turnout. Reduces negative campaigning: RCV creates an environment where negative campaigning is not as effective, and candidates are encouraged to focus on issues and solutions. “Voters using RCV in Oakland, San Francisco, San Leandro, Albany, Berkeley, and Palm Desert say RCV is simple and they want to continue using it. This system encourages candidates to focus on issues instead of uncivil attacks on their opponents in hopes of becoming your second choice” according to Redondo Beach Councilmember Laura Emdee, who wrote the argument in favor of Ballot Measure CA 5. “Redondo Beach voted overwhelmingly for better elections,” said Tom Charron, Co-founder of the California RCV Coalition, a nonpartisan, nonprofit, volunteer organization working to expand RCV across the Golden State. “Instead of expensive, low-turnout, and unrepresentative runoffs, RCV will give voters more choice and more voice in a single election. This is also a major step forward for RCV in California, as Redondo Beach becomes the first city in Southern California to vote for this better election method.” By choosing RCV, Redondo Beach voters have taken a significant step towards a more inclusive and democratic voting system. RCV is the fastest-growing nonpartisan voting reform in the nation and has now grown to 64 states, cities, and counties reaching approximately 16 million Americans across the nation. All News & Updates

A Here Here in Richmond Dec 14, 2022 "I believe in democratic processes. Ranked-choice voting is more democratic, and so, yes, I do think it would be good for Richmond." -- Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez The East Bay Express interviewed Eduardo Martinez, Richmond’s first Latino mayor, who had positive things to say about Ranked Choice Voting. Read the full article at https://eastbayexpress.com/a-here-here-in-richmond/ All News & Updates

Discover how Cal RCV is revolutionizing California elections with ranked-choice voting. Join us in shaping a more representative democracy. Learn About Cal RCV We are a diverse, nonpartisan group of reformers that believes upgrading our elections with Ranked Choice Voting is one of the most effective things We The People can do to address many of the seemingly intractable problems we face. As the biggest and most diverse state in the U.S. and an economic powerhouse, California is teeming with opportunity and potential. It is also faced with some incredible challenges, from drought and wildfires to recurring budget shortfalls, from people living in poverty to an affordability crisis that impacts nearly everyone. To solve these challenges, we need a more effective and more representative government at the local, state, and federal levels. Adopting Ranked Choice Voting across California will help make that happen. Our North Star Goal Get Ranked Choice Voting passed for all California statewide elections, including: Assembly and Senate Executive Offices (Governor, etc.) Federal Offices (House, Senate, and President) Vision A California where all residents feel represented and heard. Mission To expand the use of Ranked Choice Voting to all Californians to ensure we have a greater voice in our democracy. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Join a Zoom Intro Meeting Our Structure Founded in 2021, Cal RCV operates through two affiliated non-profit public benefit corporations: the California RCV Institute Inc, a 501(c)(3), and the California RCV Coalition Inc, a 501(c)(4). The Cal RCV Institute's 501(c)(3) designation lets it use tax-deductible contributions to carry out our educational goals. The Cal RCV Coalition's 501(c)(4) designation allows it to advocate for legislation and influence the decisions of our elected leaders through lobbying. The Coalition is also registered as a recipient committee with the California Fair Political Practices Commission (ID# 1457117), allowing us to fundraise and run campaigns for RCV ballot measures across the state. Contributions made to the California RCV Coalition are not tax-deductible but allow us to do more to get RCV adopted.

Santa Clara County considering ranked-choice voting Jun 5, 2024 Santa Clara County is considering a fundamental change to voting, which is moving to a ranked-choice voting model. "South Bay congressman Ro Khanna said he is for it. “Sometimes having the person who can build the most consensus is important and ranked choice voting just makes that easier. So, now you can’t just talk to the far right or the far left. You’ve got to talk to everyone,” he said. Santa Clara County plans to take up the issue this summer, while Khanna said he hopes the Voter Choice Act can be addressed before the November election. Overall, ranked choice voting has been picking up momentum and is now used in 50 cities and counties in 14 states." Watch the segment at https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/santa-clara-county-considering-ranked-choice-voting/3558649/ All News & Updates

Join Ventura County volunteers and supporters to help bring ranked choice voting to Ventura County elections. Ventura County Join Ventura County volunteers and supporters of ranked choice voting and help bring RCV to our local elections. Single-choice voting is breaking our country, our state, and our cities. It incentivizes negative campaigning that further divides us, reduces representation with low-turnout primaries and runoffs, and costs taxpayers millions in unnecessary election costs. Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is a simple but powerful improvement. RCV lets you rank candidates 1st, 2nd, 3rd and so on instead of being forced to choose just one. If your first choice can’t win, your vote automatically transfers to your second choice. Let's work together to bring RCV to our local elections in Ventura County for various city and county elections! Good Get on the list No commitment — get emails (and texts, if you want) with upcoming events and action alerts. Subscribe Better Help fund our work Increase your impact! A financial commitment of any size significantly increases the weight of your support. Donate Now Best Meet Us & Get Involved Join an upcoming Zoom to learn more about RCV and how you can get involved (it's easy!). Join an Intro Meeting

2022 California Ranked Choice Voting Election Results Nov 11, 2022 The 2022 Midterm Election is over, and although the results are still coming in, Ranked Choice Voting was used and voted to be implemented throughout the state. The 2022 Midterm Election is over, and although the results are still coming in , Ranked Choice Voting was used and voted to be implemented throughout the state. - The Alameda County Registrar of Voters fulfilled their promises of promptly posting RCV results on the web, and continuing eliminations until two candidates remain. - Albany had a multi-winner RCV election, also known as Proportional Ranked Choice Voting (PRCV). The final winners were determined by surplus transfers. The candidates leading in the first round won. - Berkeley city council district 1, San Leandro mayor, and San Leandro council district 1 also went to multiple rounds, where the first-round leader won. All other contests in San Francisco and the East Bay were settled in the first round. - Although Eureka approved RCV via a ballot measure in 2020 , they did not use RCV in this election because the Secretary of State would not certify their voting machines for an RCV election. However, this did not make a difference because every election was a race between two or fewer candidates. - The Oakland mayoral race still has mail-in ballots being counted the latest results are here on the Official Election Site of Alameda County . As of Friday, November 11th, the race has gone 9 rounds, with 5 of the 10 candidates eliminated. Three candidates were above 10% in the first round. Also, in Oakland, the school board district 4 race had the first-round second-place candidate pull ahead and win in the second round. - Ranked choice voting had a big win in Ojai with 56% of the voters saying yes to Measure M . The Ojai Valley Democratic Club led an army of volunteers to spread the word about RCV, putting door hangers on every single household. The Ojai City Council now has the authority from the voters to adopt RCV at their discretion, and RCV could be used for their 2024 election for the first time. - Palm Desert used RCV for their election for the FIRST time! Voters used multi-winner PRCV to elect at-large city council members. Just like in Albany , the two first-round leaders are also leading in the final-round count. Full details here . RCV was enacted in 2020 via a lawsuit settlement regarding the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and the dilution of the Latino population. - The Redondo Beach City Council unanimously approved a motion for city staff to put together language for an RCV ballot measure. Two more key votes must occur for RCV to be adopted in Redondo Beach: In December 2022, the City Council must approve the language and refer the measure to the ballot The voters of Redondo Beach must approve the measure at their upcoming March 2023 election If you're interested in getting involved with Ranked Choice Voting in California, sign up to volunteer here or consider making a donation . All News & Updates

Help fund our efforts in the coming year to improve democracy for all Californians with Ranked Choice Voting. Help us get Ranked Choice Voting passed at every level of government in the Golden State. California deserves better government . RCV is proven to decrease polarization and ensure every Californian is better represented by giving voters more choice and a stronger voice. Every dollar helps, but a monthly recurring donation turbocharges our effectiveness because it lets us plan our budget throughout the year. If you want better government through fairer elections, make a commitment today. Donations made on this page go to the California RCV Coalition, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, and are not tax deductible. If you prefer, make a tax-deductible donation here instead. Donate Frequently Asked Questions The California RCV Coalition Inc. is a registered 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. Gifts to the Cal RCV Coalition are not tax-deductible. To make a tax-deductible donation, please donate to our 501(c)(3) affiliate, the California RCV Institute. What will my donation support? Your donation supports our small team of staff and our operational costs. We are a very lean organization with no offices and minimal overhead, so every dollar you contribute goes a long way to supporting our mission of bringing Ranked Choice Voting to all of California. Is my donation secure? Your donation payment information is processed via EveryAction, a secure donation platform used by thousands of nonprofits. Can I change or cancel my recurring donation? Yes, you can view your giving history, edit payment info, and change or cancel donations via the Cal RCV donor portal . Are there other ways to give? Yes! If you'd like to donate from a Donor Advised Fund, you can direct donations to the California RCV Institute, our 501(c)(3) affiliate, Tax ID #26-0560601. California RCV Institute's mailing address is 30025 Alicia Parkway Suite 699, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677. Other questions? Reach out to our fundraising team at fundraising@calrcv.org .