At Democracy Divas, RepresentWomen’s Cynthia Richie Terrell joined Maryland leaders Laurie-Anne Sayles, Talisha Searcy, and Michelle Whittaker to spotlight ranked choice voting as a pathway to women’s representation and stronger democracy.
RepresentWomen’s Cynthia Richie Terrell recently hosted Democracy Divas, a conversation on democracy reform and women’s political leadership in Maryland. The virtual event featured Montgomery County Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles, Takoma Park Mayor Talisha Searcy, and RCV Maryland Executive Director Michelle Whittaker. Together, the speakers explored how ranked choice voting (RCV) can increase opportunities for women to run and win, build coalitions, and govern more effectively.
Michelle Whittaker shared how her grandfather’s immigrant story inspired her lifelong commitment to ensuring every vote counts, connecting it to her current work leading RCV Maryland. Mayor Searcy described her own RCV campaign experience in Takoma Park, where the system encouraged her to connect with all voters — not just her base — and helped elevate community voices. Councilmember Sayles highlighted how matching funds and fairer voting rules make it possible for more women and diverse candidates to compete on equal footing.
The panelists underscored that Maryland’s ongoing RCV and public financing efforts are part of a broader movement to create fairer, more representative elections. As Terrell emphasized, reforms like RCV are essential to building a democracy where women can run, win, serve, and lead — ensuring that elected bodies reflect the diversity and lived experiences of the people they serve.