Work

Is Ranked‐Choice Voting Associated With Turnout Across Race/Ethnic Groups?

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Objective Research suggests ranked‐choice voting (RCV) may increase the pool of candidates in local races and create incentives for campaign contacting which could increase voter turnout. Research also documents people of color may have lower levels of engagement with RCV. We examine how RCV is associated with turnout for communities of color and whether RCV widens participation gaps for racial groups. Methods We use voter file data combined with commercial data (Catalist) to compare turnout in local odd‐year elections across the United States in places that use RCV and in those that do not, and compare turnout within Minnesota cities. Results We find RCV places are not associated with lower turnout among people of color. If anything, the results suggest people from various race/ethnic groups examined here had higher rates of turnout in RCV cities than these groups had in other places, with greater turnout highest among Whites. Conclusion We conclude with caveats about the results and note a normative question these results might raise.

Source: Social Science Quarterly

DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.70025

Authors: Eveline Dowling, Caroline Tolbert, Nathan Micatka, Todd Donovan

Institutions: University of California, Davis, University of Iowa, Western Washington University

Language: English

Topic: Electoral Systems and Political Participation

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,010