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Introduction

A small number of votes often determines elections. Some elections win with margins of less than 50 votes, such as the 2018 elections for the Idaho Senate District 15 (6 votes), the Washington State Senate District 42 (46 votes), the Minnesota House of Representatives District 5A (11 votes), and the Illinois House of Representatives District 54 (43 votes).  In 2017 in Virginia, a single vote was thought to have resulted in candidate Shelly Simond’s election to the Virginia House of Delegates. The election was later determined to be a tie after a poll watcher reported that a discounted ballot should be counted, and a panel of judges agreed. Every vote counts.

Listen to Trust Your Voice Podcast for an audio version of this brief.

Elections are how voters select their leaders and representatives. This process is a foundational principle of our democracy. Elections and voting allow people to use their voices and provide an outlet for expressing public opinion and discussing important issues. Additionally, elections legitimize decision-maker’s power and address leadership succession problems before they arise.

John Dickerson for Khan Academy explains in more detail why elections and voting matter (3 min):

In particular, trusting the electoral process is integral to popular acceptance of the results. For the American public, ensuring a “secure and resilient electoral process” is essential to the interest and health of our democracy. Leaders need to address concerns about election fraud and interference. Otherwise, these concerns can jeopardize our government and systems, weaken public trust, and damage confidence in our leaders. Distrust begins at the polls and rises to the highest levels of government.

Part I: Election Basics

This section will cover all the basic terms and processes in an election.

Putting it in Context

The Founders wrote the Constitution in 1787, establishing the House of Representatives as the only chamber directly elected by the people. State legislatures selected senators, and the Electoral College chose the president. 

Early elections in U.S. history were infrequent, and voters were not required to register in advance. During the late 1800s, the election process became more complex with the addition of voter registration, which required election officials to maintain lists of voters and exchange open ballots for closed ones.

America’s first election took place on February 4th, 1789. George Washington was elected president, and John Adams was elected vice president. TED-Ed takes us back to visualize what the first election was like (4 min):

After this, the election process moved into the familiar pattern we know today: on even-numbered years, every four years. In 1845, Congress passed the law that created Election Day. 

Historical Progression of Voting Rights

Voting rights were initially left to the states, and for decades, the state legislators mainly allowed only white male property owners to vote. This began to shift during the 19th century as more Americans advocated for the right to vote as an indispensable element of their freedom.

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery and laid the foundation for voting and civil rights victories during the 20th century. The push for the 13th Amendment began during the Civil War with President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation; however, his proclamation did not fully abolish slavery. By December 6, 1865, three-fourths of the states had ratified the amendment, adding it to the Constitution. 

Congress passed the 14th Amendment on June 13, 1866, to further protect individual liberty and promote equality. Although African Americans’ citizenship was legally protected, there were other obstacles, often at the state and local level, that prevented voting. They were frequently turned away from the polls, showing the need for further legislation. 

The 15th Amendment was ratified in 1870, aiming to protect the voting rights of African American citizens by prohibiting racial voting discrimination. However, the fight for both voting and civil rights continued into the 1960s due to Jim Crow segregation, voting literacy tests, and grandfather clauses that excluded black citizens based on their ancestors. The civil rights movement in the 1960s led to the expansion of voting rights and the combating of racism with the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

American women also have an extensive history of fighting for the right to vote. After decades of campaigning and advocacy, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution enshrined women’s voting rights. It was first introduced in Congress in 1878 but was not passed until numerous organizations banded together to push for it. Congress finally conceded in 1919, and the amendment was ratified over a year later in 1920.

The 26th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 and is the last in the series of amendments passed to expand constitutional protection for voting rights. Legislators believed that by age 18, most young adults had at least finished high school and were bearing the responsibility of an adult. Thus, their right to participate in our democracy must be protected.

The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (also called the Motor Voter Act) “requires states to allow individuals to register to vote at the same time that they apply for a driver’s license or seek to renew a driver’s license.” This provision is crucial for first-time voters since many are of age to register to vote when they apply for a driver’s license.

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) in 2002 set minimum election administration standards for states to follow. These standards include maintaining statewide voter registration databases, a state voter identification process, and upgrades to voting equipment, all with the aim to protect election integrity. 

Voting is a civic responsibility that is the foundation of our democracy. Your participation is invaluable and builds on the history of the United States.

Campaign Basics

On the national level, congressional House and Senate elections occur every two years, and presidential elections occur every four years. State and local elections happen in any year and at any time, such as for statewide elections of mayors and legislators or more local elections such as mayors. You can see your state’s upcoming election dates here.

Primary elections and caucuses, the processes by which parties nominate candidates for the general election, take place from late winter through summer, depending on state laws’ schedule. General elections are held on Election Day, the first Tuesday of November in even-numbered years. 

On an election day, voting occurs throughout the country in voting districts, also called election districts or precincts. These areas are divisions of a larger geographic area, such as a city or county. In some places, just one precinct votes at a single location. In other regions, many precincts vote together in a vote center. Voters in each precinct report to a specific polling place, such as a school, church, or community center, where they may vote for federal, state, and/or municipal candidates or initiatives. You can find your polling place here.

The state legislatures in power at the time of the Census created voting districts; some states require bipartisan or nonpartisan commissions to oversee the districting, while many do not. See The Policy Circle’s Decennial Census Deep Dive for more on how the Census affects redistricting.

Appointed Positions

Elected officials appoint individuals to serve on commissions, courts, boards, and task forces. This power should also be considered when voting because appointees wield considerable influence in interpreting laws, designing policies, and implementing regulations that can impact your business and family.  The person you elect directly impacts who sits in these appointed seats of power. 

A crucial part of the president’s role is appointing government officials. Some of the appointments the president nominates include: 

  • All federal judges in the judicial branch 
  • Specified officers in the cabinet-level departments 
  • Specified officers in military services 
  • U.S. attorneys 

For recent updates on the Biden administration’s political appointments and nominees, visit the Political Nominee Tracker. So far, President Biden has selected 637 nominees for his administration. 

At the state and local level, appointed and elected government positions vary since there are diverse election administrations across the states. For example, the governor’s office fills thousands of appointed roles in the State of Florida, and in Texas, the governor will appoint approximately 3,000 individuals during his term.

Elected Positions

There are hundreds of elected officials across all levels of government. Keeping up with elections is no easy task and requires consistent evaluation. To grasp the numerous types and large number of elected positions and their effect on government, see below:

  • Federal: The president is up for election every four years, representatives come up for election every two years, and senators are elected every six years.
  • Statewide: 
    • Executives: The governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of state are vital leadership positions for state governments. They set, articulate, and guide the vision for the state as a whole, which trickles down to local government.
    • Legislatures: Your state representatives connect the state and federal government. Be sure to research your candidates and talk with local government officials about their experience working with the incumbent.
    • Judicial: Supreme Court seats and Intermediate Appellate Court seats come up for election, which greatly impacts policy interpretation and enforcement.
  • Local: Many different positions are elected at the local level that directly affect the constituents. Such positions include mayor, county commissioner, and city council. Be aware of elections in your area and connect directly with the candidates.

Awareness of your local and state elections is just as necessary as being engaged in presidential elections. To learn what races are taking place that could impact your city or state, check Ballotpedia’s House and Senate race listings. You can also find updates on the 2024 presidential election here.

The Path to Presidency

As results are reported on Election Day, you may hear terms such as “popular vote” and “electoral vote.”  The popular vote represents the percentage of total votes a candidate receives across the United States. The electoral vote represents votes State by State, as each State is awarded a specific number of electoral votes based on population. But the campaign trail begins long before Election Day.

Primaries, Caucuses, and Conventions

The primary and caucus elections are essential to the presidential election process. These forums provide an opportunity for individual citizens to influence the presidential candidates. These elections are held in each state and territory as part of the nominating process.

Some states have open primaries, meaning any voter can participate in primary elections regardless of political party. In other states, voters must be affiliated with a party to vote in that party’s primary. See the laws in your state here.

Voice of America created a quick overview of this structure (1 min):

The results of primaries and caucuses determine how many delegates each state awards to each nominee. Primary elections are financed and run by state and local governments; just like in the general election, voters go to a polling place and vote. Caucuses are private events run by state political parties. The party identifies individuals as potential delegates, and then the party hosts an informal poll to determine who will serve as delegates to represent the state at the national party convention. Conventions “finalize a party’s choice for presidential and vice presidential nominees” through a vote of delegates.

The Washington Post breaks down how the Iowa Caucus works (2 min):

Party Conventions

The Republican and Democratic National Conventions are held in the summer, commonly in July and August. At the conventions, state delegates, who are selected through their state primaries and caucuses, vote to confirm their party’s choice for presidential candidate. The candidate must win the majority of the candidates and accept the nomination to formally become the party’s pick for president.

The results of the primary elections and State caucuses generally determine the number of delegate votes. Although it is rare for a nominee not to win the majority of votes in the first round of voting, if needed, additional rounds of voting can be held until a candidate wins the majority of delegate votes.

At the Convention, the presidential nominee also officially announces who will run with them for vice president.

The General Election and Electoral College

The general election is held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, with the presidential election occurring every four years. On Election Day, voters choose between party candidates for a number of other offices. In 2024, Election Day is on Tuesday, November 5, when you can vote for several candidates, including the president.

Although we directly elect our representatives and senators, the Electoral College ultimately elects the president. This system “gives all American citizens over the age of 18 the right to vote for electors, who in turn vote for the president. The president and vice president are the only elected federal officials chosen by the Electoral College instead of by direct popular vote.” Each state has as many electors as it has members of Congress. 

TED-Ed explains (5 min):

To win the presidency, the candidate must win the majority of electoral votes. 

  • Total Electoral Votes: 538
  • Majority Needed to Win: 270

See how many electoral votes your state has here, and see The Policy Circle’s Electoral College Deep Dive for more.

On the Ballot

Your ballot is how you vote on items that impact you. These items can include election candidates or ballot measures. The contents of your ballot are known in advance and are published by your election officials. Be sure to locate your sample ballot before you vote – it will help you research the candidates and issues that will impact you and your community. 

“Down ballot” refers to the candidates and issues that appear further down on a ballot, below the top-ticket races like the presidential or gubernatorial elections. These down-ballot races often include positions such as the U.S. House of Representatives, state legislators, mayors, city council members, school board members, and various measures. Voting in down-ballot races is crucial as these elected officials and measures have a significant impact on local governance and community issues.

For candidate races, voters can manually “write in” a candidate who is not listed on the ballot. This allows voters to support someone not formally registered or nominated. Write-in candidates can be individuals who have publicly declared their candidacy and are campaigning but not on the ballot, or they can be any person the voter wishes to support, even if that person is not actively seeking office.

Ballot Measures

Knowing what is on your ballot is as important as who is on it. Generally, three different types of ballot measures appear directly on the ballot: initiatives, referendums, and recalls.

 An initiative is a type of ballot measure that circumvents the legislature through the popular vote. If the initiative wins most of the votes, it passes on to the legislative. In 26 states, citizens can initiate amendments or statutes through an initiative. For example, Floridians will have the opportunity to vote for a direct initiated constitutional amendment that will legalize recreational marijuana for those over 21. Since Florida has a direct initiative measure in place, it would go into effect if this measure were to get enough votes. An indirect initiative would put it before the state legislature. 

There are two main kinds of referendums: legislative and popular/veto. Some laws need voter approval to be enacted, in which case they appear on the ballot as legislative referendum measures. The popular referendum is driven by a petition from citizens, similar to the initiative measure, but it can result in approval or repealment of an act. South Dakota is the only state in 2024, so far, that has a popular referendum on their ballot, which would allow voters to decide if a law pertaining to carbon dioxide pipeline regulation stays in effect.

Recall measures also usually depend on a petition. These measures are intended to remove an elected official from office or change the laws pertaining to a recall, and the public can call for this at any time. Only certain states have this process in place. There has yet to be a successful recall at the state level, but several officials at the local level have been recalled.

See the NCSL Statewide Ballot Measures Database for past and upcoming ballot measures in your elections and Ballotpedia’s Ballot Initiative Map for your state’s initiative process.

The common denominator is that each measure gives citizens the power to determine the outcome of a policy or political issue. Be sure to research ballot measures that are coming up in your elections. 

Each state handles ballot measures differently, but many states allow citizens to initiate and vote on a ballot initiative or referendum, including constitutional amendments in some states. This process gives voters a chance to weigh in on government policy directly.

The Role of Government

Article 1 of the Constitution provides the original guidance on elections being within the purview of the states. Since its institution, Congress has made additional amendments and legislation that have changed this rule. Over the past 50 years, however, the federal government’s role in elections has increased, but the states still maintain control of the administration.

Federal

The Constitution limits the federal government’s role to specific tasks that support states and localities with elections. These tasks include providing states with census data to facilitate redistricting, funding to update election equipment, and assisting states with election security threats. Additionally, the federal government takes authority over voting rights by passing voting rights laws.

Congress

The House and Senate Appropriations Committees’ budget funds for state elections. Congress, specifically the House Administration Committee and the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, plays a vital role in overseeing federal elections, certifying congressional Electoral College results, and resolving contested elections.

Legislation

The election administration is decentralized and not coordinated at a federal level. As mentioned above, the federal government sets standards for states to meet and regulate certain processes through the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). These regulations cover complaint procedures, voting technology, and voter registration databases. Aside from setting these standards, the federal government leaves the rest of election decisions to the state and local governments. The federal government does not conduct elections; that duty falls to the states, who most often delegate that responsibility to local governments.

The Election Assistance Commission

The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is an independent, bipartisan commission “charged with developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines, and serving as a national clearinghouse of information on election administration.” The EAC additionally creates voting system guidelines and operates the federal voting system certification program, maintains the National Voter Registration form, certifies and tests voting equipment, and serves as a resource for states and localities by conducting voting and election-related research.

The Federal Election Commission

The federal government steps in again through campaign funding regulations. This is executed through the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) and various other pieces of legislation. The FEC is an independent regulatory agency that administers and enforces federal campaign finance laws for U.S. Congressional, presidential, and vice presidential campaigns. The federal government plays a much more significant role in overseeing campaigns than elections. See The Policy Circle’s Campaign Finance Deep Dive to explore these intricacies.

State and Local

The decentralized election administration in the U.S. leaves states and localities primarily responsible for administering elections. These responsibilities range from determining voter ID requirements and eligibility to purchasing voting equipment. It also means that no state administers elections the same way as another state. Election infrastructure varies greatly. On the one hand, this can create problems related to inconsistent application of laws. On the other hand, it allows individual districts to experiment and innovate with procedures that are best for their particular circumstances.

For example, states are still in charge of elections during emergencies like natural disasters, or other situations that may impact an election, but state election officials work closely with federal emergency management departments and others to develop contingency plans and procedures. The federal government has with an election assisted due to an emergency in a few cases: in 1992 in Florida after Hurricane Andrew, after the 9/11 attacks in 2001, and in 2006 in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Election Officials

Each state appoints a chief election official or board with authority over elections that occur in the state. Roughly half of the states select the secretary of state as the chief election official. Other states have an election official or a board or commission appointed by the governor. Duties include designing, coding, and distributing ballots; certifying candidates; testing and delivering voting equipment; ensuring local officials adhere to election laws; administering the statewide voter registration database; and calculating results. The National Conference of State Legislatures breaks down selection methods at the state and local levels. 

A single individual, commission, or combination thereof administers elections at the local level. Larger jurisdictions may have a dedicated election administrator, but smaller counties may have a county clerk or registrar who serves as the election official. If multiple offices or positions divide election duties, one will likely handle voter registration, and another will oversee the administration on election day. 

To find out who administers elections in your state, you can follow these steps:

  1. State Government or Election Office Website: Visit your state’s election office website, which is often the Secretary of State’s website. The state website usually provides comprehensive information about election administration and contact details, and it will usually have a section dedicated to elections and voting.
  2. Contact Your State or Local Government: You can also call or email your state or local government offices directly to ask who is responsible for administering elections.
  3. Local County Clerk’s Office: The county clerk’s office or local board of elections often handles election administration at the local level. Their contact information is on your county or city’s official website.
  4. U.S. Vote Foundation: The U.S. Vote Foundation has a directory of state election offices, including contact information and website links.
  5. Voting Information Websites: Websites like Vote.org and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) provide resources and links to state and local election officials.

The National Association of Election Officials conducts seminars and workshops in addition to a certification program for election officials. The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) and the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED) also provide a forum for state election officials to exchange best practices.

Part II: Election Fraud Concerns

Election fraud is always a concern for election officials and voters alike. It is hard to detect after it has happened and the true extent is not known, only estimated. You can look up instances of voter fraud in your state here.

Combatting Election Fraud

The good news is there are safeguards against most of these types of voter fraud. 

The federal agency Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has taken up the mission of coordinating and connecting stakeholders including election officials at the local level, providing many helpful election resources.

The EAC gives a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into securing an election (5 min):

Voter Identification Debate

Over half of the states have laws requesting or requiring voters to have some form of identification when they vote at their polling location. Some states require voters to bring photo identification (such as a driver’s license, a military ID, or a voter registration card). The state may accept non-photo identification (such as a bank statement with a name and address). If voters lack proper identification, they may be able to cast a provisional ballot, which the state will only count after verifying the voter’s identification. Ballotpedia, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and Rock the Vote all break down voter ID requirements by state.

Proponents argue that such requirements prevent voter impersonation, which protects and boosts confidence in the election process. Critics argue that voter fraud is rare, a claim supported by The Heritage Foundation’s Voter Fraud Map.

The Federalist Society breaks down the arguments (5 min):

In Crawford v. Marion County Election Board (2008), the Supreme Court ruled Indiana’s strict photo ID requirement was not burdensome. This ruling prompted states with strict identification laws to offer free voter IDs to those who lack forms of accepted government-sponsored identification.

Voter Registration Records

Federal law requires state election officials to keep voter registration records as up-to-date as possible, resulting in many new registrants and canceled registrations. If someone has died, moved to another state, or become legally incompetent, they must be removed to prevent anyone from impersonating them and trying to vote in their place. 

Some states have gone beyond these examples and removed people from voter registration lists “because they have skipped voting in several consecutive elections and they have not responded to a letter asking them to confirm where they live.” 

Some argue that updating registration lists is imperative for preventing fraud and that people should be contacted well in advance before being removed. Others maintain this method of voter removal is a “purge” that turns voting rights into a “‘use it or lose it’” scenario and that “American voters have the right to choose not to vote and not to be penalized for doing so.” Additionally, eligible voters can be removed from the registration list by mistake. In December 2019, Georgia removed 300,000 inactive voters from its registration list but later reinstated 22,000, which they had taken off due to errors. This confusion can prompt suspicions about the process.

Some suggest publicizing the list of voters being removed so that the government can correct potential errors. In 2019, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose took the list of 235,000 names that the state  would remove from the voting registration list and let voting rights groups “scour the data and see whether they could spot irregularities.” The group found over 40,000 names had been accidentally added to the list by county election officials or election software errors.

Election officials can also turn to other sources to help maintain voter registration lists, such as change of address information from the Department of Motor Vehicles (although some states say they have trouble with this system) or the U.S. Postal Service’s Change of Address System. The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) is a state-managed nonprofit organization that helps states maintain accurate voter registration records. See which states participate here.

Convicted felons, whose voting rights vary from state to state, must also be removed. In 48 states, convicted felons are not allowed to vote while incarcerated, but most can regain the right after release. They must complete their sentence, probation, or parole and pay any outstanding fines or fees before restoring their voting rights. Once their voting rights are restored, prison officials inform election officials, and the individual is responsible for re-registering to vote.

You can see your state’s specific requirements here.

Poll Workers on Election Day

Vigilant election officials or poll watchers act as the last defense against fraud. Voters can serve as poll watchers, who observe the polling place on Election Day to ensure equipment is tested correctly, voters cast their ballots, and officials count results. Political parties or candidates appoint partisan citizen election observers, and nonpartisan organizations or civic groups appoint nonpartisan citizen election observers. Poll watchers participate in training sessions and are usually required to be registered voters, but each state has specific qualifications.

Look at your state’s qualifications and see The Policy Circle’s Active Voter Guide for how to be a poll watcher.

Cybersecurity and Election Interference

Advancements in technology have led to emerging threats in cybersecurity and election interference.

Freedom House, a nonpartisan organization that monitors and reports on the state of freedom and democracy around the world, notes there are three primary forms of election interference:

  • Legal measures through which authorities can hinder political expression.
  • Technical measures restrict access to news sources or communication tools.
  • Informational measures happen when information is manipulated. State and non-state actors employ them to protect voters from manipulated information.

Protections Against Election Interference

States are in charge of administering elections, but the federal government is tasked with protecting the process from foreign interference. Thus, when a foreign entity attacks election infrastructure, responsibility for cybersecurity falls on both.

Security

At the state and local levels, election officials can increase their security. Cybersecurity vendor Area 1 Security Inc. tracked over 12,000 local officials and found more than half of these officials used email systems with limited protection from phishing attacks. Over 660 were using their email addresses for election-related business, “a practice that could expose their work systems to impersonation or other forms of online fraud.” Officials in jurisdictions in Michigan, Missouri, Maine, and New Hampshire were using a software product that had been linked to online attacks by a Russian intelligence service and that the National Security Agency had warned was a target for online attacks.

Communication

According to the Select Committee on Intelligence Report, “the communication and cooperation went badly” between the federal and state governments. The federal government reportedly alerted states of attempted intrusions in the summer of 2016 but made no mention of these attempts being from a hostile foreign power. The lack of security clearance among state election officials meant federal officials spoke to the wrong people at the state level.

Operations

While giving more election officials security clearances could help, the National Background Investigations Bureau has a ballooning backlog of people waiting for clearances. Operational procedures also need to be considered. For example, state officials said the Department of Homeland Security “‘didn’t recognize that securing an election process is not the same as securing a power grid.’” Policies and procedures that proactively address potential challenges in securing elections instead of reacting after an emergency arises will help protect our elections.

Voting Processes

Beyond ensuring the integrity of elections, some question the American election process as a whole and believe the system should be reformed to address ideological polarization. For several years, distrust and pessimism towards American democracy have been growing:

  • 51% of voters say U.S. democracy is at risk;
  • 26% believe U.S. democracy is secure;
  • 85% of Americans are concerned about political extremism;
  • 67% say the country has become more divided in the past year;
  • 80% of Americans “want elected officials to work together to solve problems as opposed to remaining true to their ideological beliefs, even if less gets done[.]”

These perceptions have led to calls to change election processes in the United States.

Mail-In Voting

Each state has its own rules for mail-in voting that dictate under what circumstances voters are allowed to vote by mail. In eight states, ballots are automatically mailed to eligible voters. In-person polling locations are still an option on Election Day. Other states require voters to request mail-in ballots, also called absentee ballots, if voters cannot physically vote at a polling place or prefer to vote at home. Some states require voters to have a valid excuse, such as the inability to vote in person due to illness, injury, disability, travel, or living arrangements outside the state, such as college students or military members and their families. 

There is debate about the benefits and drawbacks of the mail-in voting option. Many voters express enthusiasm for mail-in voting, with some reports indicating the convenience of mail-in voting gives voters the time and ability to learn about all the offices and candidates on their ballot. Some jurisdictions report saving money by reducing staff and equipment at physical polling stations. Other jurisdictions report excess expenditures, as increased printing costs and costs for machines needed to scan paper ballots can add up. 

Voting by mail, however, is only convenient for some and can be exclusionary. Mail delivery is not uniform across the U.S., such as on Native American reservations, so even states with all mail voting still have the option to vote in person. Overall, the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research found that voting by mail modestly increases turnout rates, but that these rates do not benefit one party over another. Lastly, while it is easier to catch fraud at polling stations because of voter ID laws and watchful election officials and observers, coercion or vote buying is a rare but real possibility with a mail-in ballot. Counterfeit ballots are practically impossible because a ballot’s size, style, and even weight differ from county to county, resulting in dozens of unique aspects that must be copied perfectly for a machine to read the ballot. According to the Heritage Foundation’s online election fraud database, 204 out of 250 million votes cast by mail between 2000-2020 were fraudulent. 

The Wall Street Journal dives deeper into the vote-by-mail debate (6 min):

See the National Conference of State Legislature’s research for state-by-state legislative action, including bills relating to vote-by-mail and delaying elections.

Ranked Choice Voting

In the United States, ranked-choice voting (RCV) has been implemented in elections in several jurisdictions nationwide. There are two primary forms of RCV: single winner and proportional.

Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) is the single-winner form of RCV and is the most cited form in the United States at the moment. This method instructs voters to rank all the candidates on their ballot according to their preference. It is giving proponents hope for a stronger democracy, while critics are concerned about its unfair effects. 

Here is how IRV works: 

  1. The voter ranks the candidates on the ballot by preference, with their favorite candidate being their first choice, next favorite as their second choice, and so forth. 
  2. If a candidate wins 50% or more of the votes after counting all the voter’s first choices, they win the election; the voters’ second or third choices are not considered.  
  3. If none of the candidates win 50% or more of the votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. The votes for the eliminated candidate are redistributed according to each individual ballot’s second choice.
  4. This process is repeated until one of the candidates attains 50% of the votes. 

Watch this short video for a rundown of RCV:

RCV was first used in Ashtabula, Ohio, in a 1915 city council election. It spread throughout Ohio and the nation. By 1940, RCV had been adopted in cities in six states but repeal efforts in the late 1940s and 1950s emerged due to the lack of organization of the movement and there was disapproval from political parties towards those elected through RCV. By 1962, Cambridge, MA alone used RCV for city council and school board elections.

For the past two decades, RCV has re-emerged, starting with cities such as Minneapolis, MN, which implemented RCV in 2009.

Proponents of RCV cite increased minority representation, less polarization, more civil campaigns, and increased voter turnout as reasons to convert to this new method. They argue that by giving voters an alternative to the two-party election system, voters can more easily support “minor and third-party candidates.” The system should, in effect, remove the pressure to vote for a party candidate because you don’t want to “waste your vote.”  It should incentivize voters to vote for who they truly want in office, and selecting a backup means their vote did not “go to waste.” They also point to studies showing that more diverse candidates, such as women and ethnic minorities, are more easily on the ballot in RCV elections. Others claim that, in RCV elections, rival candidates engage with one another quite differently than in other election formats, including asking citizens to support themselves and their rivals. One final benefit is that it should save money by removing the need for run-off elections.

Critics of this new method argue that RCV adds confusion to the voting process, harming marginalized citizens who may not have the resources to be as educated about ongoing elections. There is evidence of white, educated voters taking advantage of RCV more than any other group, raising concern among its critics. Critics also claim that RCV decreases voter confidence, takes away from the importance of major issues and debates, and fears the RCV results won’t correctly reflect voter desires. Some conservative groups have argued that RCV can potentially manipulate the outcomes of an election, particularly in favor of left-leaning politicians.

Overall, the Democratic Party generally supports RCV, while the Republican Party generally opposes it. However, both parties have opposed and supported the RCV initiative during certain elections in the past.

RCV is currently used in 60 jurisdictions across 24 states. It’s only statewide use is in Alaska and Maine, but it is also used in 3 counties and 45 cities nationwide. In these areas, RCV is used for party-run primaries and special elections. Six of these states also use RCV in federal runoff elections for military and overseas voters.

Conclusion

Assessing candidates, investigating ballot measures, and ensuring proper identification can make anyone feel overwhelmed by an election, even without the added prospect of foreign interference, domestic fraud, and a decentralized voting system. Yet, this same decentralized voting system allows each of us to make a difference. When Americans are aware of the problems facing elections, they can best determine and act on what can be done to address these challenges in their communities by starting a ballot initiative, volunteering on election day as a poll worker, or reaching out to election officials and other community members. 

Taking small steps at the local level allows us to do our part to protect against fraud and interference in elections while ensuring all eligible Americans can easily express their right to vote. Your first hand involvement with the electoral process will set an example for others around you and inspire their participation. Participation will only help grow the number of active and involved citizens and ensure free and fair elections as envisioned by our Founders and enshrined in our Constitution. We can maintain our democracy and our confidence in it.

Start with The Policy Circle’s First-Time Voter Handbook or The Active Voter Guide to learn more about voting and how you can be directly involved in the election process.

Ways to Get Involved/What You Can Do

Measure: Find out what your state and district are doing to ensure free, fair, and secure elections.

Identify: Who are the influencers in your state, county, or community? Learn about their priorities and consider how to contact them, including elected officials, attorneys general, law enforcement, boards of education, city councils, journalists, media outlets, community organizations, and local businesses.

Reach out: You are a catalyst. Finding a common cause is an excellent opportunity to develop relationships with people who may be outside of your immediate network. All it takes is a small team of two or three people to set a path for real improvement.

  • Find allies in your community, nearby towns, and the state, and start conversations.
  • Foster collaborative relationships with neighbors or community organizations.

Plan: Set some milestones based on your state’s legislative calendar.

  • Don’t hesitate to contact The Policy Circle team at [email protected] for connections to the broader network, advice, and insights on how to build rapport with policymakers and establish yourself as a civic leader.

Execute: Give it your best shot. You can:

Working with others, you may create something great for your community. Here are some tools to learn how to contact your representatives and write an op-ed.

Additional Resources

Vote.org

US Vote Foundation Election Directory

USA.gov

NCSL: Election Resources

Ballotpedia Elections Calendar

True the Vote.org

Make Time to Vote

More Information

Brookings: Podcast – Protecting American elections from foreign interference

Constituting America

Indiana State Leadership Council’s Deep Dive on Women’s Suffrage

List of Common Terms regarding Elections.

Does Your Vote Count? Ensuring Election Integrity and Making Sure Every Vote Counts, Heritage Foundation

Suggestions for your Next Conversation

Explore the Series

This brief is part of a series of recommended conversations designed for circle's wishing to pursue a specific focus for the year. Each series recommends "5" briefs to provide a year of conversations.

Deep Dives

Want to dive deeper on Election Processes and Innovations? Consider exploring the following:

Engagement Guides