Description:

Peter Buisseret (Harvard): "Politics Transformed? Electoral Competition under Ranked Choice Voting"

Abstract: We compare multi-candidate elections under plurality rule versus ranked choice voting (RCV). In our framework candidates choose whether to pursue a narrow campaign that targets a segment of voters, or instead pursue a broad campaign that can appeal to the entire electorate. Relative to plurality, we find that RCV can intensify candidates’ incentives to pursue targeted rather than broad campaigns. The opportunity to secure voters' second preferences without being their most-preferred candidate can strengthen this incentive, rather than mitigate it. Our findings challenge widely-held contentions about the benefits of adopting RCV.