U.S. Rep Hamadeh, R-Arizona, is helping lead an effort to end what he calls the corrupt scheme for ranked choice voting.
Working alongside U.S. Rep Nick Begich, R-Alaska, Hamadeh has introduced the Preventing Ranked Choice Corruption Act or H.R. 3040. The measure would amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit what Hamadeh views as the “confusing and disenfranchising voting scheme” of ranked choice voting.
Also known as instant-runoff voting, ranked choice voting is when voters rank candidates according to preference. Under this system, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated when a majority is not reached after the initial vote. A redistribution of votes then occurs based on voters’ second choices.
Ranked Choice Voting has its supporters, some of whom claim it helps provide an alternative to a two-party system. Ballotpedia quotes supporters as saying it increases civility in political campaigning and might lead to a more diverse batch of candidates.
In a press release announcing his bill, Hamadeh said this “flawed process allows for a majority party to be split between preferred candidates.” When this happens, Hamadeh said the minority candidate is allowed a pathway to victory, something he contended would never occur without ranked choice voting.
