Could Ranked-Choice Voting Improve Our Political Campaigns? | Newsy 

Gary Johnson Landed A Major Endorsement — But Is It Too Late?

Samsung Tries To Put Out The Fire By Ramping Up Galaxy Note 7 Recall

Get Newsy\'s FREE email updates and be the most informed person in the room.

Could This Ballot Change Improve Our Political Campaigns?

It's called ranked-choice voting, and there are some interesting arguments in favor of it.

We talked to Michelle Whittaker of FairVote about ranked-choice voting, a ballot system that allows voters to rank their choices of candidates for office, rather than just selecting one. For example, candidates would rank their choice for president in order of their preference. In most elections, the actual votes would be counted just like they would in elections where just one candidate is selected.

But Whittaker explained why this type of ballot could change some of the things we like least about our presidential process. 

"It gives more choices to the voter. And it's a great system for really having voters express their full opinion and having campaigns really reach beyond just their limited bases."

"You're not going to see as many negative campaigns because there's no benefit in a campaign going negative on a candidate because that's again going to impact their chances of getting second. Campaigns run not only for those first choices but to be second choices." 

The system is already being used in local elections across the country, including in Minneapolis and San Francisco. And some states use the system for military and overseas voters to ensure their votes can be counted in case of a runoff.

"We want to take out that strategic voting that happens. If you're talking about Jill Stein or Gary Johnson, a lot of times people look at them and say, 'Oh, they're going to take votes away from Hillary Clinton' or 'They're going to take votes away from Donald Trump,' and by doing that they're going to effectively help the candidate they like least. Ranked-choice voting frees that burden. There's no longer the spoiler effect, because you can vote for the candidate you like the most. That can be a third-party candidate, that can be an independent, and it's not going to help the candidate you like least."

"And it changes the dynamic of the conversation. If we had this, where for our presidential election, independents, third-party candidates could really be part of the full conversation, I think we would see more of a shift in terms of how other candidates, major-party candidates, would discuss the issues as well. We're not looking at it as a zero-sum game where only we need to win as Democrats or we need to win as Republicans. It's about we need the best ideas to win, we need the best ideas to come forward and be what moves our country forward."

Jimmy Carter Speaks Up About Racism And Why We Shouldn't Keep Quiet

Clinton Gets Toxic Diagnosis From Well-Known Doctor After 9/11 Stumble

Here's What We Need To Lower Re-incarceration Rates

Obama's Atlantic Preserve: Good News For Fish, Less So For Crustaceans

Trump Makes Moves Toward Transparency, But Are They Working?

Flint Pastor Stops Trump In His Tracks After Speech Gets Too Political

Like Many Voters, Colin Powell Isn't Excited To Vote Trump Or Clinton

Clinton Releases New Medical Information After Pneumonia Diagnosis

Voters See Very Different Futures When It Comes To Trump And Clinton

A North Carolina Sports Institution Is Moving Games Out Of The State

Donald Trump Opened Up About His Medical Records ... Sort Of

Round 2? N.Y. Attorney General Is Investigating The Trump Foundation

President Obama Plans To Increase Number Of Refugees Admitted Into US

Ivanka Trump, Squealing Baby Help Donald Trump Unveil Child Care Plan

Louisiana Rep.'s Wife Defends Him Amid Alleged Prostitution Ties

Trump Breaks From GOP Norms To Offer Paid Maternity Leave

Snowden Will Get More Than A Pardon If Jill Stein Is Elected President

Trump Said Obama Controls The Fed. Here's How It Really Works

We're Seeing Less Violence, So Why Is America More Afraid?

New Rule Could Shield Planned Parenthood Funding From Partisan Attacks

How Much Do We Need To Know About The Presidential Candidates' Health?

Clinton Hopes To Squash Health Rumors; Reveals Pneumonia Diagnosis

Hillary Clinton Leaves 9/11 Memorial Service Early, Sparking Rumors

Man Who Shot Ronald Reagan Released More Than 30 Years Later

9/11 Commission Chairs: More Must Be Done To Combat Extremist Ideology

Did Clinton Go Too Far With Comments On 'Deplorable' Trump Supporters?

Sign in to personalize this queue with stories that match your interests.

Watch recently added videos by Newsy. If you wish to adjust your video preferences, click here.

Get the top stories from Newsy in your inbox with our free email newsletter!

Like Newsy on Facebook for More Presidential Election Coverage