The Independent Center

Tell us about your organization. When did it start? What’s the backstory?

FairVote’s founders came together in 1992 with a fervent belief that our country could do more to create a healthy democracy for all. Today, FairVote promotes solutions that translate our votes into power and create incentives for our elected leaders to be truly accountable and responsive to their constituents. These solutions include ranked choice voting (RCV) and proportional representation.

What is your mission? How do you define success?

FairVote is a nonpartisan organization seeking better elections for all. We research and advance voting reforms that make democracy more functional and representative for every American. We are the national driving force advancing ranked choice voting – in both its single-winner and proportional forms – to give voters more choices, fairer representation, and better government.

Success means passing ranked choice voting in jurisdictions around the country, giving all Americans better representation and better governance.

‍

Share a success story.

Until 2000, there were only two jurisdictions in the U.S. that used RCV. Since then, the number has expanded to over 50 cities, counties, and states. Over 800 RCV elections have been held, with more than 30 million ranked choice ballots cast. Nearly 14 million voting-age citizens live in cities, counties, and states that use RCV, a more than tenfold increase since 2004.

In 2024, RCV won majority support in all 5 cities where it was on the ballot, including a 73% win in Washington, DC. Alaska also defeated a measure to repeal RCV and open primaries.

What opportunities do you see for growing the independent voter movement?

The number of independent voters has risen sharply in recent years, and that looks likely to continue. Ranked choice voting gives voters more power, whether they’re independents or members of a political party. By giving voters backup choices, RCV frees voters from having to vote for the lesser of two evils. RCV gives new candidates a chance to enter politics without being labelled as “spoilers.”

In what ways does the Independent Center’s work complement your organization’s work?

Both of our organizations seek to empower voters who want more choices at the ballot box.

Where do you see the independent movement going over the next 5 to 10 years?

The number of independent voters has risen sharply in recent years, particularly among young people. That trend is likely to continue, and as it does, independent voters will gain more influence in politics and the direction of our country.

How can people reach you if they want to get involved?

To support FairVote’s work for better elections, visit our website or sign up for our newsletter. Get involved in your local or state ranked choice voting group at this link.

FairVote