Clarity, coalition, and a ballot win for ranked choice voting
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. The politically moderate suburb of Minnetonka was a litmus test for it’s viability, and I had to reshape the voter journey from confusion to conviction.
My 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 100+ 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, with no surprises or negativity.
The result
Mobilized volunteers, donors, and high-profile supporters, including bipartisan endorsements.
Successfully advocated for the city council to place a ranked choice voting measure on the 2020 ballot, where voters approved its adoption for future elections.
Record-breaking numbers of candidates and voter turnout in the RCV elections of 2021 and 2023.
Lower ongoing administrative costs for these more efficient elections, saving taxpayer money.
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.