LWV: Ranked Choice Voting Succeeds in Arlington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
League of Women Voters of Arlington and Alexandria City
June 26, 2023
 
Arlington County’s Ranked Choice Board Primary Election Results
 
ARLINGTON, VA – Arlington County became the first in Virginia to sponsor a local election by ranked choice vote. Despite some early predictions that it would take up to weeks to tabulate the votes, it was completed by Friday around 6p, and the winners declared.
 
“Friday noon was the deadline to receive the mail in ballots and the Elections Office did an amazing job in tabulating the votes in a highly transparent fashion,” said Joan Porte, President of the League of Women Voters of Arlington, and Alexandria City.
 
Preliminary reports indicate that few people were confused by the process. According to Porte, “That was because of the incredible educational worked carried out by Arlington Director of Elections and General Registrar, Gretchen Reinemeyer, and her staff.”
 
Ranked Choice Voting is a way to give voters more choice when selecting candidates and helps increase voter participation and education. It also cuts down on negative campaigning and allows more diverse candidates to run for office.

“I hope it becomes the norm in all localities in the Commonwealth and the Arlington County Board allows it for the November elections,” concluded Porte.
 
 
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