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RepresentWomen’s Voter Guide: Key Ballot Measures to Watch

Those of us advocating for gender parity in elected offices often face a dilemma: acknowledging the significant lack of equal representation in the United States and recognizing our progress.

Advances in women’s representation in public office have occurred despite discriminatory laws, practices, and systems designed to favor wealthy men. As our country lags behind other modern democracies in achieving a gender-balanced government, we must change our approach to see more women-identifying individuals elected to office.

This year brings renewed optimism about moving closer to achieving gender parity by reforming systems to remove barriers so more women can run for office. Ranked choice voting (RCV) offers a promising solution. RCV has proven effective in increasing women's representation at all levels of government, according to research from RepresentWomen. Ranked choice voting is the fastest-growing electoral reform, receiving support from editorial boards nationwide, including a strong endorsement from The Washington Post. Women hold 53% of seats in jurisdictions with RCV. As it appears on ballots nationwide this November, it's a critical opportunity for reform.

We understand that a significant part of our work involves advocating for equality in government and keeping you informed throughout the process.

The RepresentWomen Voters Guide is your essential resource for informed and impactful voting, especially on reforms like RCV. We have the power to shape our communities and nation. By understanding the issues and the benefits of these voting reforms, researching candidates, and casting our votes, we can ensure our voices are heard and our priorities represented.

This guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to make informed voting decisions. We'll provide information on key issues, states with open primary elections, top RCV initiatives, and more. We aim to support you as an active and engaged citizen, using your vote to create a more just and equitable society.

RepresentWomen Supports

Washington D.C. Initiative 83

Initiative 83  will appear on the November ballot to determine whether D.C. will implement ranked choice voting and allow unaffiliated voters to participate in primary elections. Proposed by the organization Make All Votes Count DC, the initiative secured more than 60,000 signatures to qualify for the ballot. In D.C., over 70,000 Independent voters have been unable to participate in primary elections. These voters argue that excluding them from the primaries constitutes voter suppression. Implementing ranked choice voting and allowing Independent voters to participate better reflect citizens' preferences in a diverse political landscape,enhance voter engagement, and create a level playing field so more women can run and win.

Several additional cities are considering forms of ranked choice voting, including Portland, OR; Richmond, CA; Oak Park ,IL; and Peoria, IL.

Oregon Measure 117 

The Ranked Choice Voting for Federal and State Elections Measure, known as Measure 117 in Oregon, aims to implement ranked choice voting for state and federal primary and general elections. Referred to the November ballot by the Oregon legislature, this measure represents the most significant step any state legislature has taken to promote RCV. If adopted, it would take effect in 2028, making Oregon the third state in the nation to implement ranked choice voting at both the state and federal levels, following Maine and Alaska. The campaign for Measure 117 is being led by Oregon Ranked Choice Voting Advocates, with solid support from Oregon Democratic lawmakers. Speaker Dan Rayfield has been a passionate supporter, highlighting that ranked choice voting increases voter engagement and enhances representation for all demographics. As the first ranked choice voting initiative proposed by the Oregon state legislature, Measure 117 is a significant advancement for RCV (and women!) in the state.

Colorado Proposition 131

Proposition 131 seeks to replace the state’s semi-closed primary system with ranked choice voting and top-four primary elections. If adopted, ranked choice voting would be implemented for the state board of education, governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, and regents of the University of Colorado, but not for presidential or most local elections. Colorado cities, including Boulder & Telluride, have successfully used ranked choice voting in municipal elections.

Colorado Voters First is the leading organization backing Proposition 131. They argue that the current voting system limits candidate opportunities and prioritizes the interests of elite politicians. According to a poll conducted by Colorado Voters First, 56% of voters indicated they would vote “yes” on Proposition 131, with an additional 8% leaning toward “yes.”

Idaho Prop 1

Idaho Prop. 1 will appear on the November 2024 ballot to determine whether Idaho will adopt top-four open primaries and ranked choice voting (RCV) for state, county, and gubernatorial elections. The initiative is supported by Idahoans for Open Primaries, which collected approximately 63,000 signatures to qualify it for the ballot. Despite meeting the signature requirement, they faced challenges when Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador (R) sued to block the initiative. However, the Idaho Supreme Court dismissed the case, allowing Prop. 1 to be included on the November ballot. Idaho is currently ranked 50th, the lowest in the country, on our 2024 Gender Parity Index. With Prop. 1, Idaho could see a powerful increase in the number of women running and serving in politics.


Nevada Question 3

This aims to end the state’s closed primary system by implementing ranked choice voting and open primaries, allowing all voters to participate regardless of party affiliation. This marks the second time Question 3 has appeared on the November ballot, the first being in 2022 when it won the first phase of the effort with 53% of the vote. The proposed changes would affect congressional races (both House and Senate), legislative elections, and statewide offices, but not presidential or local elections. Nevada Voters First is the primary political action committee supporting Question 3, arguing that at least 35% of Nevada voters cannot participate under the current closed primary system.

Montana CI-126 & CI-127

The Majority Vote Required to Win Elections Initiative (CI-127) and The Top-Four Primary Initiative (CI-126) will be on Montana’s November ballot. The measures would open Montana’s primary elections and adopt ranked-choice voting. Both initiatives were proposed by the organization Montanans for Election Reform. They gathered over 60,000 signatures to get these initiatives on the ballot. Montanans for Election Reform argue that open primaries and ranked-choice voting would allow voters freedom of choice without it being based on party affiliation and create more competition amongst candidates. If CI-126 and CI-127 are adopted, ranked choice voting and open primaries would be implemented for crucial Montana elections, including those for governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and congressional offices.

RepresentWomen Opposes 

Arizona Proposition 133

Arizona voters will consider a constitutional amendment that mandates partisan primaries for all partisan offices and prohibits open primaries and RCV. This proposal could limit voter choice, particularly for independents, and decrease the competitiveness of elections. Organizations such as the League of Women Voters of Arizona, Voter Choice Arizona, Save Democracy Arizona, and Represent.Us strongly oppose this amendment, highlighting its potential to diminish diverse representation.  Rep. Austin Smith (R) referred to the bill to introduce it and has received support from 13 other Republican co-sponsors. Opponents' arguments center that it would limit platforms to third-party candidates, especially women and people of color, and make races far less competitive and representative of voters' primary choice

Alaska's Ballot Measure 2

In Alaska, voters face a critical decision in November regarding the repeal of the nonpartisan primary design and top-four ranked-choice voting (RCV).  In 2024, Ballot Measure 2 is now an initiative to repeal the nonpartisan primary design and Top-Four Ranked-Choice Voting. Voting “yes” would eliminate the top-four primaries and ranked-choice voting general elections in Alaska, which were adopted in 2020, and establish a party primary system. This repeal could diminish the representation of independent candidates and women, and weaken advancements made in voting access. Alaska was the second state to implement RCV, and a repeal could set a concerning precedent for other states. Ballot Measure 2 will be on the November ballot. Establishing partisan primaries would block the representation of independent candidates; since the enactment of nonpartisan elections and implementation of RCV, there are more independent candidates in Alaska state office than at any other point in history.

Empowering Our Democracy

Our current lack of representation highlights significant blind spots and gaps in legislation, preventing us from effectively addressing the unique challenges faced by women. When we discover evidence-based solutions that advance our goals for more robust and representative political leadership and legislative bodies, we aim to empower and repower voters. 

To monitor and assess our advancements and setbacks, RepresentWomen produces the Gender Parity Index (GPI), assigning each state a grade based on its proximity to gender parity. 

Our democracy is stronger when elected and appointed officials reflect the populations they serve. For more than a century of this country’s existence, women were barred from holding office (and for women of color, this exclusion lasted even longer). We must implement fundamental changes to processes and structures to achieve true representation.

 

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