On Day 1 of RepresentWomen’s 2024 Democracy Solutions Summit, women leaders from Alaska and beyond shared how ranked choice voting strengthens democracy and women’s representation.
Day 1 of RepresentWomen’s 2024 Democracy Solutions Summit—the only democracy summit featuring all women experts—focused on the state of ranked choice voting (RCV), the fastest-growing election reform in the U.S.
Timed with Super Tuesday, the opening panel highlighted how RCV is reshaping elections and broadening representation, with a special spotlight on Alaska’s pioneering reform model.
Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, moderated a powerful discussion with:
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U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
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U.S. Representative Mary Peltola (D-AK)
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Alaska State Senator Cathy Giessel (R-AK)
Together, these women shared firsthand how Alaska’s “top-four open primary + ranked choice general election” system has shifted incentives away from partisan polarization and toward coalition-building. They emphasized that RCV reduces negative campaigning, expands space for women and diverse candidates to run, and ultimately strengthens voter trust in the political process.
The session also explored broader lessons for policymakers, funders, and advocates as momentum for RCV continues to grow nationwide, with multiple statewide and municipal ballot measures on the horizon.
RepresentWomen CEO Cynthia Richie Terrell noted that RCV, combined with reforms like proportional representation and family-friendly legislative policies, is one of the most effective tools for advancing women’s political power.
Day 1 concluded with a call to action: support local and national campaigns for ranked choice voting and help ensure electoral systems are restructured to deliver a more representative, inclusive democracy.