Easy as 123: Making Votes Count in the United States

The implementation of rank choice voting (RCV) systems is increasingly salient in the United States. This voting system may result in significantly different outcomes compared to the commonly adopted plurality voting system. This research examines how requiring citizens to rank candidates by preference may impact voter turnout in an election. The RCV system also shows to reduce polarization between the two major political parties in the United States. The tone of campaigning in RCV systems is also addressed as a factor that may encourage higher voter turnout. Voter turnout data from cities with similar characteristics, in demographics, population, and size, but with different voting systems are analyzed to examine the statistical significance between voting system and voter turnout. Data are collected through official Secretary of States government websites, and from cities using RCV systems. Since US politics is at a pivotal point, the findings have significant effect to increase voting and determine outcomes of important elections