Khandelwal 1

Revitalizing Democracy:
Increasing Voter Turnout and Reducing Polarization in Elections

Abhimanyu Khandelwal

Professor Babcock

ENGL 138T Section 008

17 April 2023
 Khandelwal 2

Introduction

Voter turnout and low polarization are critical elements of a healthy democracy in the United

States of America. In a country that values representative

government and the voice of its citizens, high voter turnout is

essential to ensure that elected officials genuinely reflect the

will of the people.1 Low voter turnout can lead to the election

of officials who do not accurately represent the views and

interests of the electorate, ultimately leading to a loss of

confidence in the democratic process.

Reduced polarization is just as important, as extreme partisanship can lead to a lack of

compromise and the inability to govern effectively. When political leaders refuse to work

together across party lines, important legislation can be stalled or even abandoned entirely,

leaving the needs of the people unaddressed. This can result in frustration and disillusionment

among the electorate, further eroding faith in the democratic process.2

Today, unfortunately, both voter turnout and polarization are two major problems facing

America. These two issues have significant consequences for the functioning of our democracy,

and it is imperative to address them.

1
Grinspan, John. “Voter Turnout Is Low on Purpose. It Has Been for More Than a Century.” The Washington Post,
WP Company, 29 Apr. 2021,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/04/29/voter-turnout-is-low-purpose-it-has-been-more-than-century.
Accessed April 15, 2023.
2
Dimock, Micheal. “America Is Exceptional in Its Political Divide.” Pew Trusts, Winter 2021,
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/trust/archive/winter-2021/america-is-exceptional-in-its-political-divide. Accessed
April 15, 2023.
 Khandelwal 3

Discussion/Background

The Problem

The issue of decreasing voter turnout and increasing polarization in elections has been a growing

concern in recent years. Voter turnout rates have steadily declined in the United States, with only

55% of the voting-eligible population casting ballots in the 2020 presidential election. This is a

significant decrease from the 63% who voted in the 1960 election.3 One reason for this decline in

voter turnout is the increasing polarization among

voters. Americans who express consistently

conservative or consistently liberal opinions have

doubled over the past two decades from 10% to 21%.

As a result, ideological overlap between the two

parties has diminished: Today, 92% of Republicans are

to the right of the median Democrat, and 94% of

Democrats are to the left of the median Republican.4 As political parties and candidates become

more extreme in their views, voters may feel disillusioned or disengaged from the political

process. This is especially true for young and minority voters, who may feel that their voices are

not being heard.

3
Lijphart, Arend. IHS Vienna, Institute for Advanced Studies. “Non-Voters in Austria: The Significance of
Socio-Economic Factors, Political Attitudes, and Attitudes to Voting.” IHS Political Science Series, No. 54, 2011,
https://irihs.ihs.ac.at/1045/1/pw_54.pdf. Accessed April 15, 2023.
4
Kimball, Jill. “Brown University.” Polarization | Brown University, Brown University, 21 Jan. 2020,
https://www.brown.edu/news/2020-01-21/polarization. Accessed April 15, 2023.
 Khandelwal 4

Why Polarization Exists

There are several reasons why there has been an increase in polarization in America over the past

few decades. One of the main reasons is the rise of partisan media outlets that cater to specific

ideological viewpoints, resulting in individuals only

consuming news that reinforces their pre-existing

beliefs. Social media has also contributed to

polarization by creating echo chambers where

individuals are exposed only to like-minded views

and are less likely to encounter opposing

viewpoints.5 Another factor is the increasing use of

identity politics, where individuals are more likely to vote based on their perceived identity

group rather than policy positions. Additionally, the geographic sorting of Americans has led to

increased homogeneity in communities, reducing exposure to diverse perspectives and

reinforcing pre-existing beliefs. Overall, these factors have contributed to a political climate

where individuals are less willing to compromise or work across party lines, leading to increased

polarization.

The Impacts

The impacts of low voter turnout and increasing polarization are significant. With fewer people

voting, the elected officials may not accurately represent the interests of the entire population.6

This can lead to policies that do not reflect the needs of the community. Additionally, increased
5
Khalid, Asma. “Why So Many Americans Don’t Vote.” NPR, 10 Sept. 2018,
https://www.npr.org/2018/09/10/645223716/on-the-sidelines-of-democracy-exploring-why-so-many-americans-dont
-vote. Accessed April 15, 2023.
6
Nishizawa, Lyon. “How Does U.S. Voter Turnout Compare with the Rest of the World's?” Council on Foreign
Relations, 2 Nov. 2020, https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/how-does-us-voter-turnout-compare-rest-worlds. Accessed
April 15, 2023.
 Khandelwal 5

polarization can lead to a lack of compromise and cooperation, making it difficult to pass

legislation and address pressing issues. The issue of low voter turnout and increasing polarization

affects a wide range of people, including those who are historically marginalized and

underrepresented. In particular, young people, people of color, and low-income individuals are

less likely to vote than their counterparts. This issue has statewide significance as well, as it

affects the entire voting population in the United States.7 Furthermore, policies that are proposed

and implemented come from elected officials, so inadequate officials can lead to poor policies

that can negatively affect the country.

Attempts to Address the Issue

The issue has been addressed in various ways. One way is through campaigns to encourage voter

registration and education, but these efforts have not been enough to reverse the trend.

Some argue for measures such as automatic voter registration and expanded early voting, while

others believe that requiring identification at the polls is necessary to prevent voter fraud. There

have also been debates about the use of electronic voting machines and the role of social media

in influencing voter behavior. Despite various efforts to address the issue, there are still

constraints that limit the range of alternatives to resolving the problem. These include legal

challenges to certain policies, lack of funding for voter education and outreach, and resistance

from some political groups.

7
Krogstad, Jens Manuel. “Political Polarization in the American Public.” Pew Research Center, 12 June 2014,
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2014/06/12/political-polarization-in-the-american-public/. Accessed April 15,
2023.
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A Solution: Ranked-Choice Voting

In order to address the issue of low voter turnout and increased polarization in elections, one

proposed solution is the implementation of ranked-choice voting. Ranked choice voting

addresses the issue by allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference, rather than

simply selecting one candidate.8 This can incentivize candidates to appeal to a broader range of

voters and reduce the potential for polarization. The system is designed to ensure that the winner

of the election has the support of the majority of voters.

Ranked choice voting offers several benefits. It encourages voters to choose their preferred

candidates and not just settle for the “lesser of two evils.”9 This means that candidates who are

not from major political parties can also have a fair chance of winning. It also reduces the

negative tone of election campaigns, as candidates are less likely to engage in mudslinging and

attacks on other candidates, since they may be seeking support from those candidates' supporters

in later rounds of the ranked-choice voting process.

How it works

In ranked-choice voting, voters are given a ballot with a list of candidates and asked to rank them

in order of preference, from first to last. If one candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes,

that candidate wins the election outright. However, if no candidate receives a majority of

first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated, and their votes

are redistributed to the remaining candidates based on the next preference indicated by those

voters. This process is repeated until one candidate receives a majority of votes.

8
“FairVote.” Ranked Choice Voting | FairVote, FairVote,
https://fairvote.org/our-reforms/ranked-choice-voting/. Accessed April 15, 2023.
9
“Ballotpedia.” Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) - Ballotpedia, Ballotpedia,
https://ballotpedia.org/Ranked-choice_voting_(RCV). Accessed April 15, 2023.
 Khandelwal 7

To better understand how ranked-choice voting works, here is a hypothetical example.10 Suppose

there are three candidates running for mayor of a city, named A, B, and C. There are 100 voters

in the city. The voters are asked to rank the candidates in order of preference.

In the first round of voting, Candidate A receives 30

first-choice votes, Candidate B receives 25

first-choice votes, and Candidate C receives 45

first-choice votes. Since no candidate has received a

majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the

fewest first-choice votes, Candidate B, is eliminated.

In the second round of voting, the votes of the voters who ranked Candidate B as their first

choice are redistributed to the remaining candidates based on their next preference. Let's suppose

that 20 of those voters ranked Candidate C as their second choice, and 5 of those voters ranked

Candidate A as their second choice. After the redistribution of votes, Candidate C now has 65

votes, and Candidate B has 35 votes. Candidate C has now received a majority of votes and is

declared the winner of the election.

Opposing Arguments

Opposing arguments to ranked-choice voting include concerns about its complexity and potential

for confusion, as well as potential financial costs associated with implementing the system.

However, studies have shown that voters are able to understand and effectively use the system.

The exit polling conducted for pro-ranked choice voting group Alaskans for Better Elections

during the state’s August election showed 85% of voters found the system “simple.”11

10
Yan, Holly. “Ranked-Choice Voting Is Gaining Ground, but Critics Say It's More Complicated Than It
Appears.” CNN, 12 July . https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/12/politics/ranked-choice-voting-ctzn/index.html.
Accessed April 15, 2023.
11
Regan, Micheal. “Voter Turnout in the United States.” PBS NewsHour, 14 Sept. 2020,
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/voter-turnout-united-states. Accessed April 15, 2023.
 Khandelwal 8

A lot of investment would have to go into the system for a country-wide implementation of

ranked-choice voting. However, while a large investment would be required, it would save

money in the long run as local run-offs and state primaries will no longer be needed. In 2019,

the New York Independent Budget Office estimated that RCV implementation would cost

between $100,000 to $500,000 upfront, but would ultimately save the city up to $20 million per

election cycle.12

The Benefits

It is important to note that the cost of implementing the system would be outweighed by the

potential benefits of increased voter turnout and reduced polarization.

In terms of political implications, the adoption of

ranked-choice voting has been supported by both

major political parties and has been successfully

implemented in various jurisdictions throughout the

United States. The precedent set by implementing

ranked-choice voting could potentially lead to

greater innovation in the field of election systems

and improve democratic representation nationwide.

Moreover, implementing ranked-choice voting can increase voter turnout by ensuring that every

vote counts. Voters are more likely to participate in elections when they believe their vote will

have an impact, and with ranked-choice voting, even if their first-choice candidate doesn't win,

their vote is still counted toward their next choice. This encourages voters to participate in the

election process, which strengthens democracy and gives voters more confidence in the system.
12
“Understanding Ranked Choice Voting: Pros and Cons of RCV.” Ranked Vote,
https://www.rankedvote.co/guides/understanding-ranked-choice-voting/pros-and-cons-of-rcv. Accessed
April 15, 2023.
 Khandelwal 9

Ranked choice voting has been successfully implemented in several states and cities across the

United States. In these places, the system has been shown to work effectively and without

significant issues. RCV caused a 10 percent increase in turnout in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area

when it was implemented in 2009 for Minneapolis and in 2013 for St. Paul, according to a 2020

study by researchers in Australia. The effect on turnout was higher for precincts with higher

poverty rates. Youth turnout in RCV cities was also higher than youth turnout in non-RCV cities,

according to a 2021 study by researchers in Iowa and Wisconsin. They attribute the cause to

greater campaign civility and mobilization and increased contact in RCV elections.13 This shows

that ranked-choice voting is a viable solution for low voter turnout and increased polarization in

America.

The Implementation

The proposed approach to developing this recommendation would involve conducting further

research and consultation with experts in the field of election systems. A sub-team could be

formed to explore the feasibility and potential benefits of implementing ranked choice voting in

the relevant jurisdictions.

To implement ranked choice voting as a solution, the following steps and deliverables will be

necessary:

1. Education and outreach: The public will need to be educated on how ranked choice

voting works and how to use it. This could involve outreach efforts such as public

13
Radde, Kaitlyn. “The Next Round of Counting Begins in Alaska. Here’s How Ranked-Choice Voting
Works.” NPR, 22 Nov. 2022,
https://www.npr.org/2022/11/22/1138422560/the-next-round-of-counting-begins-in-alaska-heres-how-rank
ed-choice-voting-works. Accessed April 15, 2023.
 Khandelwal 10

forums, community meetings, and social media campaigns. A comprehensive educational

program will need to be developed and executed.

2. Legislation or policy changes: Ranked-choice voting will need to be adopted as an

official election method. This will require legislative or policy changes at the state level.

These changes will need to be proposed, debated, and passed through the appropriate

channels.14

3. Technology upgrades: In some cases, technology upgrades may be necessary to

implement ranked-choice voting. For example, voting machines may need to be updated

to accommodate the new method. Additionally, voter education materials and ballots will

need to be redesigned and printed.

4. Testing and certification: Once the changes have been made and the technology upgrades

have been completed, the new system will need to be tested and certified for accuracy

and reliability.

The timeline for implementation will vary by state depending on the scope and complexity of the

changes, but for nationwide implementation, it is reasonable to expect that the process will take

several years to complete.

Success in implementing ranked choice voting will be measured by increased voter turnout,

improved representation of diverse voices and perspectives, and reduced negative campaigning.

It will also be evaluated through regular audits and performance reviews.

14
“Ranked Choice Voting Pros & Cons - RCV123.” Ranked Vote,
https://www.rcv123.org/ranked-choice-voting-pros-cons. Accessed April 15, 2023.
 Khandelwal 11

Communication Plan

The decision to implement ranked choice voting would ultimately need to be approved by the

governing body responsible for overseeing the electoral process in the jurisdiction in question.

This could be a city council, county board of supervisors, or state legislature, depending on the

level of government involved. In addition, it may be necessary to obtain approval from other

stakeholders, such as political parties or advocacy groups.

It is important to ensure that all stakeholders are informed about the proposed solution and its

potential impacts. This includes not only the

governing body responsible for approval, but

also election officials, political parties, advocacy

groups, and the general public. It may also be

necessary to engage with other jurisdictions that

have implemented ranked-choice voting in order

to share best practices and lessons learned.

A communication plan that outlines the proposed solution:

● Presentations to the governing body responsible for approval, as well as other

stakeholders, outlining the benefits of ranked-choice voting and addressing any concerns

or opposition.

● Outreach to election officials to provide training and support on implementing

ranked-choice voting.
 Khandelwal 12

● Public education campaigns inform voters about the new voting system and how it works,

as well as the potential benefits in terms of increased voter choice and reduced negative

campaigning.15

● Use of social media and other digital channels to engage with voters and other

stakeholders and provide updates on the implementation process.

Overall, effective communication and participation are critical to the success of implementing

the recommendation. By engaging key stakeholders and the public in the process, we can ensure

that the recommendation is well-received and has the support it needs to be implemented

successfully.

Conclusion

Low voter turnout and increased polarization are major issues that have plagued American

democracy in recent years. These problems have resulted in the election of representatives who

do not necessarily reflect the will of the majority of voters and who are more likely to govern

based on partisan ideology rather than the needs of their constituents.16

Ranked choice is a solution to these problems. This method of voting encourages greater

participation and engagement from voters, as it allows them to rank candidates in order of

preference rather than simply choosing one. This approach promotes more representative

outcomes and reduces the need for negative campaigning and polarization.

15
Fifield, Anna. “Don’t Vote for Just One: Ranked-Choice Voting Is Gaining Ground.” Pew Trusts, The
Pew Charitable Trusts, 2 Dec. 2022,
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2022/12/02/dont-vote-for-just-one-ran
ked-choice-voting-is-gaining-ground. Accessed April 15, 2023.
16
“Facing History and Ourselves.” Political Polarization in the United States | Facing History and
Ourselves, Facing History and Ourselves,
https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/political-polarization-united-states. Accessed April 15, 2023.
 Khandelwal 13

The implementation of ranked-choice voting will require effort and resources. Education

campaigns will be needed to inform the public about the new

system and how it works, and changes will need to be made to

voting systems and procedures. However, the benefits of

ranked-choice voting are significant and have been proven

effective in other countries and in select jurisdictions within the

United States.

Overall, implementing ranked-choice voting has the potential to improve the functioning of

American democracy and address the issues of low voter turnout and increased polarization. It is

a step towards a more representative, inclusive, and engaged democracy that accurately reflects

the will of the people.

 Khandelwal 14

Works Cited

Ballotpedia. Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) - Ballotpedia, Ballotpedia,

https://ballotpedia.org/Ranked-choice_voting_(RCV). Accessed April 15, 2023.

Dimock, Micheal. “America Is Exceptional in Its Political Divide.” Pew Trusts, Winter 2021,

https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/trust/archive/winter-2021/america-is-exceptional-in-its-poli

tical-divide. Accessed April 15, 2023.

FairVote. Ranked Choice Voting | FairVote, FairVote,

https://fairvote.org/our-reforms/ranked-choice-voting/. Accessed April 15, 2023.

Fifield, Anna. “Don’t Vote for Just One: Ranked-Choice Voting Is Gaining Ground.” Pew Trusts,

The Pew Charitable Trusts, 2 Dec. 2022,

https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2022/12/02/dont-vote

-for-just-one-ranked-choice-voting-is-gaining-ground. Accessed April 15, 2023.

Grinspan, John. “Voter Turnout Is Low on Purpose. It Has Been for More Than a Century.” The

Washington Post, WP Company, 29 Apr. 2021,

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/04/29/voter-turnout-is-low-purpose-it-ha

s-been-more-than-century/. Accessed April 15, 2023.

Khalid, Asma. “Why So Many Americans Don’t Vote.” NPR, 10 Sept. 2018,

https://www.npr.org/2018/09/10/645223716/on-the-sidelines-of-democracy-exploring-wh

y-so-many-americans-dont-vote. Accessed April 15, 2023.

Kimball, Jill. “Brown University.” Polarization | Brown University, Brown University, 21 Jan.

2020, https://www.brown.edu/news/2020-01-21/polarization. Accessed April 15, 2023.

Krogstad, Jens Manuel. “Political Polarization in the American Public.” Pew Research Center,

12 June 2014,
 Khandelwal 15

https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2014/06/12/political-polarization-in-the-american-p

ublic/. Accessed April 15, 2023.

Lijphart, Arend. IHS Vienna, Institute for Advanced Studies. “Non-Voters in Austria: The

Significance of Socio-Economic Factors, Political Attitudes, and Attitudes to Voting.”

IHS Political Science Series, No. 54, 2011, https://irihs.ihs.ac.at/1045/1/pw_54.pdf.

Accessed April 15, 2023.

Nishizawa, Lyon. “How Does U.S. Voter Turnout Compare with the Rest of the World's?”

Council on Foreign Relations, 2 Nov. 2020,

https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/how-does-us-voter-turnout-compare-rest-worlds. Accessed

April 15, 2023.

“Ranked Choice Voting Pros & Cons - RCV123.” Ranked Vote,

https://www.rcv123.org/ranked-choice-voting-pros-cons. Accessed April 15, 2023.

Radde, Kaitlyn. “The Next Round of Counting Begins in Alaska. Here’s How Ranked-Choice

Voting Works.” NPR, 22 Nov. 2022,

https://www.npr.org/2022/11/22/1138422560/the-next-round-of-counting-begins-in-alask

a-heres-how-ranked-choice-voting-works. Accessed April 15, 2023.

Regan, Micheal. “Voter Turnout in the United States.” PBS NewsHour, 14 Sept. 2020,

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/voter-turnout-united-states. Accessed April 15,

2023.

“Understanding Ranked Choice Voting: Pros and Cons of RCV.” Ranked Vote,

https://www.rankedvote.co/guides/understanding-ranked-choice-voting/pros-and-cons-of-

rcv. Accessed April 15, 2023.

Yan, Holly. “Ranked-Choice Voting Is Gaining Ground, but Critics Say It's More Complicated
 Khandelwal 16

Than It Appears.” CNN, 12 July.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/12/politics/ranked-choice-voting-ctzn/index.html.

Accessed April 15, 2023.