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We’re thrilled to have the support and endorsements of community leaders, sister organizations, and elected officials and candidates running vibrant campaigns across the state. Below are some of our supporters who have chosen to lend their voices to the call for ranked-choice voting in Washington State.
Kamau Chege
(He/Him)
Director, Washington Community Alliance
“In Washington State, communities of color are about 30% of the state, but only 16% of the legislature, and in most places the disparity is worse at the local level. To get fair representation and a true multiracial democracy, we need ranked choice voting.”
Tulika Dugar
(She/Her)
Civic Engagement Coordinator & Cultural Navigator, India Association of Western Washington
“Ranked choice voting gives citizens a way to participate in elections even after their first choice candidate has been booted out. It fosters a more equitable system making way for more choices, and allowing minorities a fair chance in participation and representation.”
Michelle Merriweather
(She/Her)
President & Ceo, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
“We need to ensure that every vote matters. RCV, having second and third choice, allows for proportional representation and democracy for all. It also expands the opportunity for more women and Black, Indigenous people of color to consider office. Ranked-choice voting will allow for equitable results and fairer representation.”
Mustafa Mohamedali
(He/Him)
Social Secretary, Board of Directors, Islamic Center of Olympia
“If you are passionate about civic engagement, if you are a member of a minority community that does not have a voice, if you are frustrated about inequities in proportional representation and keen on having your voice heard, then you will be interested in the concept of RCV. Learn about it. Think about it. Support it!”
Shomya Tripathy
(She/Her)
Director of Policy and Civic Engagement, Asian Counseling and Referral Service
“If we’re asking our communities to show up on election day, then we have a responsibility to fight for an electoral system that actually works for them. In order to build a more equitable and accessible democracy for communities of color, we need to invest in visionary strategies like RCV that have the potential to transform our current system. Binaries have historically been a tool of oppression – voting is no different. We deserve for our votes to reflect the expansiveness of our identities, values, and priorities.”
Brian Baird
Former Congressman, 3rd Congressional District
“To restore people’s confidence in our democratic republic, we need to give voters more say and more choices and we need to ensure that the candidates with the broadest base of support win elections. Ranked choice voting does that and will help end the bitter partisanship that has divided the country. If people want their voice and their vote to matter, and if they want to elect true problem solvers to office, they should embrace RCV.”
Chris Vance
Former Chair, WA State Rep. Party, Former King County Councilmember
“Fixing our broken two party system is vital to healing America. Enacting ranked choice voting would be a major step in that direction.”
Mohit Nair
Board Secretary, South Asian Americans Together for Washington and Social Research Scientist, Public Health Seattle & King County
“I support ranked-choice voting because the way in which we elect our representatives directly or indirectly influences every other issue I am passionate about from racial disparities in healthcare to climate change. RCV offers a way towards electoral justice by empowering communities of color to elect their candidates of choice. It offers voters a unique opportunity to elect representatives that truly represent them and reflect the diversity of the electorate.”
Sharlett Mena
State Rep., 29th LD
“People should be able to vote in accordance with their values and ideals, without fear of “throwing away” their vote or inadvertently supporting a candidate antithetical to their vision for their community. RCV is the common sense solution to our flawed voting structure that upholds our divisive two-party system.”
Commissioner
Lori Wada
(She/Her)
Civic Engagement Coordinator & Cultural Navigator, India Association of Western Washington
“We have been trying to achieve equity for decades. Ranked-choice voting is one important structural reform that is worth trying in order to fight for representation.”
Deb Eddy
Former Legislator, WA 48th
“The use of ranked-choice voting around the country proves it’s possible to expand voting rights and provide cost savings to state and local governments, which appeals to a broad base, including hardened skeptics.”
Brett Borden
Treasurer of the WA Libertarian Party
“RCV allows you to vote freely and requires a majority to win, thereby incentivizing positivity and bridge-building instead of divide and conquer tactics. This is our best course to a better future.”
Denny Heck
Lieutenant Governor
Quote coming soon.
Laurie Jinkins
Speaker of the Washington State House
“There is a really good argument to be made that ranked choice voting ends up giving you the person in office who the most people support.”
Jeanne Kohl-Welles
King County Councilmember
“I’ve been a longtime supporter of RCV, as a WA State Senator and certainly now as a King County Councilmember. It’s been unfortunate to see the misconceptions of RCV over time. Without question, it represents an opportunity for voters to have a louder voice, more clearly expressed opinions, and ultimately, a stronger democracy for all of us.”
Girmay Zahilay
King County Councilmember
“We all share the goal of creating a more fair, just, multi-racial democracy where every member of our community is empowered by their representation. RCV gets us one step closer to greater voter enfranchisement and provides voters with greater electoral access, more equitable results, and less negative partisanship.”
Joe Nguyen
State Senator, 34th LD
“Everyone should be able to vote for a candidate they believe in. Ranked-choice voting ensures that all voices are heard in our democracy, and that every ballot counts.”
June Robinson
State Senator, 38th LD
“From New York to Tennessee, voters have adopted RCV because it’s a simple, common-sense reform that gives voters more choices on the ballot and which just might help make elected bodies more representative.”
Elizabeth (Liz) Lovelett
State Senator, 40th LD
“As a single mom, I understand that constraints on time, childcare, and money make campaigning a daunting prospect. Ranked-choice voting allows for different kinds of people to run for office and provides more choices for voters.”
Patty Kuderer
State Senator, 48th LD
“Washington is a state that prides itself on progress and innovation. Allowing local jurisdictions to hold ranked-choice elections is an excellent way to test out new voting methods on a small scale with an eye towards adopting it statewide in the near future.”
Mona Das
State Senator, 47th LD
“We must be bold in our quest for racial and gender equity. The boldness of proportional representation with RCV is that it can provide a solution to racial and gender inequalities and lead to a path for equitable representation for all Washington communities.”
Kirsten Harris-Talley
Former State Rep., 37th LD
“It’s clear that across Washington State we need different, more equitable voting systems to rebuild our local democracies. We are in a bit of a crisis of legitimacy, and we have to think big and reconstruct our voting systems for regular people who have resigned themselves to the idea that their votes don’t matter. RCV presents a great opportunity for local jurisdictions to have more equity and efficiency in their voting processes.”
Julie Anderson
Former Auditor, Pierce County
Yasmin Trudeau
State Senator, 27th LD
“As Legislative Director for the Office of the Attorney General, I supported for the Local Options Bill to allow our cities and counties to implement electoral reforms like ranked-choice voting and proportional representation. As State Senator, I’ll continue to work with communities to strengthen our democracy and secure voting rights for all people.”
Christine Rolfes
State Senator, 23rd LD
“I do believe that when well implemented, RCV gives voters more choices and allows more candidates access to the ballot.”
Cindy Ryu
State Rep., 32nd LD
“As a naturalized citizen of USA and a resident of Washington State the past 50 years, I love our representative democracy. I believe RCV will strengthen our political process and help inform citizens as to why they must stay engaged and participate in elections and politics.”
Jared Mead
Snohomish County Council
“RCV is a system that would help us improve our electoral system to elect candidates who best reflect the broadest majority of their respective constituencies.”
Frank Chopp
State Rep., 43rd LD
“As Speaker of the Washington House of Representatives, I actively supported the ranked choice voting local option legislation. We need to focus our efforts on the RCV Local Options Bill, and then proceed from there.”
Nicole Macri
State Rep., 43rd LD
“If, like me, you believe representation matters in government, then join me in supporting ranked-choice voting. We can make sure everyone’s vote actually counts, and expand gender and racial equity in elected bodies across Washington.”
Alex Ramel
State Rep., 40th LD
“I support ranked-choice voting. We should be able to vote for our favorite candidates without fear.”
Toby Nixon
Kirkland City Councilmember
“Nobody should ever have to choose among only the ‘lesser of two evils’ because they don’t think their first choice candidate has a chance to win. That just makes larger parties think they have greater support than they really do! And the fact that eliminating primaries can save us millions of dollars a year just makes it even better!”
Sharon Shewmake
State Senator, 42nd LD
“Ranked-choice voting allows you to vote with your head and your heart!”
Ryan Mello
Pierce County Councilmember
“I support ranked choice voting as an option for local and state government as a way to encourage more voter participation and ability for minor party candidates, independents and non-establishment individuals to more fully participate in our democracy.”
Marko Liias
State Senator, 21st LD
“Washington is home to an incredible diversity of people, ideas, and experiences. But too often, our elected bodies don’t reflect that. That’s why I support ranked choice voting to restore some equity to our democratic process and make sure that everyone can cast a vote for a candidate who truly represents them.”
Megan Dunn
Snohomish County Councilmember
“We are past due for elected leadership that’s reflective of the communities that we serve. I support RCV because it will provide historically marginalized and underrepresented communities access to more seats at the decision-making table.”
Monica Stonier
State Rep., 49th LD
Quote coming soon.
Tarra Simmons
State Rep., 23rd LD
My-Linh Thai
State Rep., 41st LD
Strom H. Peterson
State Rep., 21st LD
Dave Paul
State Rep., 10th LD
Liz Berry
State Rep., 36th LD
Matt Boehnke
State Senator, 8th LD
The Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center provides a compilation of best practices and first-hand experiences from jurisdictions that have used ranked-choice voting in elections.
Fairvote is a national, non-partisan champion of electoral reforms that give voters greater choice, a stronger voice, and a representative democracy that works for all Americans.
Fairvote Washington is proud to be a member of Washington for Equitable Representation.
