FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

January 23, 2024 

Ocean State Ranked Choice Voting Celebrates National RCV Day, Looks Ahead to Promising Year

NEWPORT, RI- Michael Garman, the Executive Director of Ocean State Ranked Choice Voting (OSRCV) released the following statement in recognition of National Ranked Choice Voting Day: 

“Ocean State Ranked Choice Voting is building on the momentum of the national RCV movement, and looking forward to substantive action in 2024. Here in Rhode Island, we have the opportunity to join two states, three counties and 45 cities leading the way for representative government. Right now, the most fundamental threat to our democracy is the intensifying hyper-polarization within our political system and the resulting lack of opportunities for voters to select candidates who represent their perspectives and experiences. It is critical that we change the way we elect our leaders, and ranked choice voting is the way to level the playing field.”

Ranked choice voting (RCV) has become the fastest-growing nonpartisan election reform in the country. In 2023, RCV expanded to 50 jurisdictions. Approximately 13 million voting-age citizens live in U.S. jurisdictions that use RCV or plan to in upcoming elections, a more than ten-fold increase since 2004. Some 600 RCV elections have been held with more than 20 million ranked choice ballots cast. 

OSRCV will be hosting a special meeting tonight (Tuesday, January 23) at 6pm at the Warwick Public Library to discuss advocacy plans for 2024. The public is welcome to attend.

About Ocean State Ranked Choice Voting

Founded in 2023, OSRCV is a nonpartisan group of Rhode Islanders from across the political spectrum working together to bring Ranked Choice Voting to Rhode Island. OSRCV advocates for voter choice and representation for all beliefs and identities through better elections. Learn more about OSRCV and how it works, here. 

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Media Contact (for Ocean State RCV)

Mike Raia, Half Street Group 

[email protected] | 401.340.9425