ST. PAUL, MN — Two Democrats on Thursday introduced legislation at the Minnesota Capitol that would bring ranked-choice voting to all state and federal elections.
Rep. Cedrick Frazier and Sen. Kelly Morrison authored and introduced the “Protect and Advance Democracy” act in their respective chambers.
In addition to enacting ranked-choice voting for all primary and general elections for state and federal offices, Senate File 2270 helps cities and other units of local government immediately implement ranked-choice voting, if they so choose.
Ranked-choice voting is currently used by five cities in Minnesota, including Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Advocates say momentum for ranked-choice voting is growing. The method is currently used in 60 jurisdictions across the country, including at the statewide level in Maine and Alaska.
“When I talk to voters in my purple district, they are concerned about how toxic politics and division are damaging our democracy,” Morrison — who represents Minnetonka, Wayzata, and other west metro suburbs — said in a statement.
“For years, it has impacted our ability to problem-solve and address issues, even issues that are broadly popular, because of the dysfunction and gridlock in our government.”
According to Morrison, in ranked-choice elections, “candidates must appeal to their opponent’s supporters for second and third-choice votes, and they do that by running positive campaigns that focus on policy solutions rather than personal attacks. That’s exactly the antidote we need to nurture and heal our democracy.”
Frazier said that ranked-choice voting “means everyone gets a voice — and it means elected officials have to listen to those voices.”
For an explanation of how ranked-choice voting works, check out Minneapolis’ video on how it uses the method in elections.