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How Open Primaries and Ranked Choice Voting Can Rescue American Democracy

Revitalizing North Carolina politics through the potential of nonpartisan open primaries and ranked choice voting


 

Photo from Spectrum News 1

 

By Cliff Hamill

In the United States, congressional approval ratings have consistently remained low, while incumbent re-election rates are notably high. As of August 2024, congressional approval was at 19%, yet the re-election rate for incumbents in the 2024 general elections was 95%. This discrepancy raises questions about the effectiveness of the current electoral system.

The Problem: The Two-Party Primary System

The root of this paradox lies in the current two-party primary system. Party primaries largely determine who runs for Congress in the general election. These primaries are dominated by the most ardent and often extreme members of each party. As a result, the candidates who emerge are frequently polarized and fail to represent the moderate middle of the electorate.

Instead of meaningful choices, voters are presented with two extremes—candidates who may not reflect the broader values of their districts. This dynamic perpetuates polarization and alienates many Americans from the democratic process.

The American Myth About Re-Election

The assertion that representatives need to keep 51% of their constituents happy to win re-election is indeed a misconception. In reality, due to factors like gerrymandering and geographic sorting, a significant majority of electoral districts are heavily skewed toward either Republican or Democratic dominance.

Gerrymandering—the deliberate manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular party—has led to a proliferation of “safe” seats. This means that the primary election, rather than the general election, often determines the ultimate winner. As a result, candidates focus on appealing to the more extreme elements of their party base, who are more likely to vote in primaries, rather than the broader electorate.

The number of competitive congressional districts has been declining. For instance, under new maps, there are just 30 districts that Joe Biden won by less than eight percentage points in 2020, and similarly, 30 districts that Donald Trump won by less than eight points. This indicates that only about 14% of districts are competitive, leaving the remaining 86% as safe seats for one party or the other.

This lack of competitiveness means that many election outcomes are effectively decided long before Election Day. In these safe districts, the dominant party's candidate is virtually assured victory, reducing the incentive for voter turnout and engagement among the general electorate. This explains why incumbents enjoy a staggering 95% re-election rate, making gerrymandering a democracy killer.

How Incumbents Lose Re-Election

Losing a re-election campaign in this system is exceedingly rare. It generally happens in one of two ways: either the incumbent dies, or they fall out of favor with their primary voting base. Consider the example of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Donald Trump after January 6, 2021. Despite the overwhelming re-election rate for incumbents, only 2 of those 10 won re-election, demonstrating how going against the party base can be political suicide.

Incentives to Ignore Problems

It has been observed that in the current political system, unresolved problems often hold more value to lawmakers than solutions. This sentiment highlights the perverse incentives created by the current system. When politicians reach across the aisle to compromise, they are often labeled as ideologically impure, risking backlash from their base and jeopardizing their re-election. Conversely, ignoring pressing issues allows them to:

  • Fundraise on the problem.
  • Rally their base by stoking anger.
  • Maintain job security, thanks to the near-guaranteed re-election rate.

This dynamic explains why major issues such as the national debt, immigration, and child poverty remain unresolved. Politicians benefit more from exploiting problems than solving them.

A Solution: Open Primaries and Ranked Choice Voting

To rescue American democracy, we must reform the primary system. The current two-party structure limits voter choice and entrenches polarization. The founding documents of the United States make no mention of political parties—why, then, should parties dictate who can run for office?

Alaska offers a compelling alternative. In 2020, the state implemented an open primary system and ranked choice voting. Instead of separate party primaries, all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, run in a single primary. The top four candidates advance to the general election. Ranked choice voting then allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, ensuring the eventual winner has broad support.

A Case Study: Alaska’s 2022 Election

In 2022, Alaska’s system demonstrated its potential to counteract polarization. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski faced significant backlash for her vote to impeach Donald Trump, with her favorability rating plummeting to just 6% among Republicans at one point. Under a traditional party primary system, Murkowski would have been ousted by a Trump-backed challenger, Kelly Tshibaka.

However, Alaska’s open primary allowed Murkowski to make it to the general election as one of four finalists. Ranked choice voting further ensured that the votes of eliminated candidates were redistributed to reflect voter preferences. Ultimately, Murkowski won by over 7%, demonstrating that a more inclusive system can empower moderate candidates and reflect the will of a broader electorate.

Conclusion: A Path Forward

The example of Alaska shows that open primaries and ranked choice voting can break the stranglehold of partisan extremes and restore representative democracy. By broadening the field of candidates and ensuring that winners have widespread support, this system offers a practical way to address the dysfunction that plagues American politics. It is time for the rest of the nation to follow Alaska’s lead and prioritize reform that truly represents the people.

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  • Joshua Peters
    published this page in Blogs 2025-01-16 09:33:35 -0500