9-9. 8 am, The View from Inside: Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) and its Impact on NYC Electios

Related Media

rcv-nyc-flyer.jpg

NEW YORK, NY (09/08/2025) (readMedia)-- On September 9, Common Cause/NY, NYU McSilver Institute, NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, Citizens Union and CUNY Graduate Center will host a panel discussion with NYC Comptroller and former Mayoral Candidates Brad Lander and Scott Stringer, and City Council Candidates Vanessa Aaronson moderated by Basil Smikle, PhD.about Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) and its impact on campaigning. In June, over 1 million New Yorkers ranked their choices for Mayor, City Council, and Borough President. It was the second time voters used it in Mayoral elections.

RCV allows voters to rank up to five candidates from first to last choice on their ballot. Studies show that RCV leads to less negative campaigning, prevents the "spoiler effect," and encourages coalition building.

Coffee and Pastries at 8 am, introductory remarks by NYU Wagner Dean Polly Trottenberg at 8:25 am

The event is open press but pre-registration is required by NYU to attend.

To RSVP: bit.ly://rcv2025

BACKGROUND

In 2019, Common Cause/NY led the campaign to bring Rank Choice Voting to New York City, and voters overwhelmingly approved the ballot measure, adopting it by a margin of nearly 3-1. Since 2021, all New York City primaries and special elections for Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough President and City Council use ranked choice voting.

This year, ranked choice voting empowered voters just as Common Cause New York hoped it would. New exit polling from Common Cause New York and FairVote showed that nearly all voters (96%) said their ballot was simple to complete, and that the vast majority of voters were enthusiastic about the experience. Voters were also more engaged and informed, with 81% saying they understand RCV extremely or very well. More than three quarters of respondents said they want to keep or expand RCV for future elections.

According to data from the Board of Elections, 95% of all voters in the Democratic primary chose one of the final two candidates for Mayor - a huge improvement over the old plurality system that allowed a Mayor to be elected without a majority of the vote. Voters also elected a primary winner with more votes than any previous election since 1989. RCV forced campaigns to expand beyond their immediate base and canvas voters often ignored by politicians - and who turned out in this year's elections.

WHERE: NYU Wagner School, 117 E. 17th St., NY, NY

WHEN:: September 9 at 8am

WHO::

NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and former NYC Mayoral Candidate

Former NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer and former NYC Mayoral Candidate

Former NYC Council Candidate Candidate Vanessa Aronson

Former NYC Council Candidate Andrea Gordillo

Moderated by Basil Smikle, Jr.