Democratic activists are looking to overhaul the party’s presidential primary process with ranked-choice voting.

Proponents of the idea have privately met with Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin and other leading party officials who want to see ranked-choice voting in action for 2028. Those behind the push include Representative Jamie Raskin, the nonprofit Fairvote Action, and Joe Biden pollster Celinda Lake.

Axios reports that ranked-choice supporters told a DNC breakfast meeting in D.C. that they believe it would unify and strengthen the party, prevent votes from being “wasted” after candidates withdraw, and encourage candidates to build coalitions. The publication quotes DNC members as being divided on the issue, with some being open and others thinking that it is best left to state parties.

  • ryathal@sh.itjust.works
    1·
    4 hours ago

    You need a way to ensure the presidental candidate is popular across many states, because that’s part of the election. Straight popular vote can easily skew to a candidate that wins a few states by a large margin, but ultimately loses the election.

    • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldEnglish
      11·
      4 hours ago

      What hypothetical candidate would win all of a large state like Cali by a huge margin but lose to a Republican in enough smaller states that they lose the general?

      Like, you know the EC is relatively proportional like the House, it’s not set up like the Senate…

      • Bronzebeard@lemmy.zip
        1·
        3 hours ago

        It’s not all that proportional. It claims to be, but fails miserably at it due to the lack of enough seats. It’s been a century since we expanded it. Population has tripped since then.