Clarity, Coalition, and a Ballot Win for Ranked Choice Voting

Summary

Most voters didn’t understand Ranked Choice Voting—and without clarity, there’s no support. I led the campaign to begin using RCV in Minnetonka elections, building a broad coalition, creating persuasive marketing, and guiding voters from confusion to confidence. The result: a successful ballot measure, bipartisan support, and lasting local election reform.

Problem

The way we vote discourages coalition-building and constructive debate, reinforcing tribalism and political gridlock. Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is a better alternative, but most people don’t understand it—and without public understanding, it’s unlikely to gain traction. In Minnetonka, a politically moderate suburb, successfully passing RCV could prove it was viable beyond major cities. But first, I had to reshape the voter journey from confusion to conviction.

Solution

I built a community education campaign that guided residents through a clear, engaging, and trust-driven journey toward supporting RCV:

  • Simplified the message – Used visual explanations to make RCV easy to grasp, avoiding overwhelming political theory.

  • Leveraged community trust – Recruited respected, politically diverse local figures to advocate for RCV.

  • Created interactive experiences – Hosted small group discussions, Q&A sessions, and local events to spark “lightbulb moments.”

  • Built a coalition through engagement – Spoke at hundreds of events, had thousands of one-on-one conversations, and activated community networks.

  • Kept city leadership engaged – Ensured city council and staff saw our movement as transparent, positive, and inclusive—no surprises, no negativity.

Result

  • Secured a ballot measure in 2020 to let voters decide on RCV.

  • Mobilized volunteers, donors, and high-profile supporters, including bipartisan endorsements.

  • RCV passed in Minnetonka, making it one of the most politically diverse cities to adopt it.

  • Record-breaking numbers of candidates and voters in the RCV elections of 2021 and 2023

  • Lower ongoing administrative costs for these more efficient elections

Takeaway

Public buy-in for change doesn’t happen through facts alone—it’s a journey. By making the message simple, social, and trust-driven, I helped move RCV from an abstract idea to a voter-backed reality, proving that local democracy can evolve when you meet people where they are.