State-Wide Poll Shows Nevada Voters Want a Better System and Ranked Choice Voting

By Doug Goodman -Founder & Executive Director Nevadans for Election Reform and Scott Siebel and Katie Dahl – FairVote

The time is ripe for political reform in Nevada, with voters eager for more fair and democratic elections.

According to a recent statewide poll sponsored by Nevadans for Election Reform and FairVote, issue-focused elections, higher voter turnout and majority winners topped the list of reforms for Nevada voters. Voters also believe the ability to rank candidates; 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, is a good idea.

Highlights from the poll include:

  • 94 percent of survey takers said replacing negative attacks with issue-focused campaigning was “somewhat” or “very” important, including majorities from both Republican and Democratic voters;
  • 80 percent said increasing voter turnout was “very” or “somewhat” important;
  • 79 percent said majority winners (candidates earning over 50 percent of votes) were “very” or “somewhat” important; and
  • 58 percent said they were “very” or “somewhat” likely to support a reform that would end the “lesser of two evils” dynamic at play in single-choice voting systems.
  • 56 percent said ranked choice voting is a “very good” or “somewhat good” system.

All of these values are linked to a ranked choice voting system, suggesting that with increased public awareness – as well as increasing use in cities and as of Nov. 6, 2018, the entire state of Maine – an overwhelming majority of voters will recognize ranked ballots as the best way to see their values realized in elections.

Nevadans for Election Reform will continue our on-the-ground efforts to educate voters and collaborating with our national partners at FairVote to bring Nevada to the forefront of fair and democratic elections.

 

4 Replies to “State-Wide Poll Shows Nevada Voters Want a Better System and Ranked Choice Voting”

  1. I believe everyone over the age of 65 should receive a absentee/mail in ballot. This happens in some counties, but not all.

    1. Jeanette,
      In NV voters over 65 and those with disabilities can request a permanent absentee ballot. This was a change made last legislative session. I believe there may be a bill this upcoming session to extend this to all voters.
      Doug

    1. Gasper,
      RCV provides minor party and independent candidates a real opportunity to be viable. This along with more voters choosing to register to vote as Non-Partisan has the potential to loosen the grip of the two major parties on the political process. Political parties are not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution. They are in the U.S. tax code because they are private organizations. We have the power.
      Doug

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