Ranked-choice voting ballot measure filed in Michigan
by Staff
This week, a state ballot measure was filed to put ranked-choice voting in the Michigan Constitution. It is a uniquely convoluted proposal, which would impose RCV in federal elections but only some state elections. Legislative races, for example, would continue to use a normal election process. It would also change voting timelines, but only in certain elections.
The petition and summary language will go before the Michigan Board of State Canvassers on June 27th. If approved, the group will begin printing petitions, if they have sufficient funds to do so, and then gathering signatures.
The Stop RCV Coalition will have more analysis in the coming weeks, but needless to say, this proposal seems destined to meet the fate of those last year. RCV ballot measures lost in six states in November despite a flood of money—more than $100 million—spent to push them. Voters just don’t want more complicated elections that delay results and decrease transparency. And local clerks don’t want their jobs made even more difficult.