Email discussion on ranked‑choice voting (RCV) and its potential impact on voter turnout and extremist candidates

On Sep 11, 2018, at 10:20 PM, Maskin, Eric <9 wrote: Yes, we can expect more extremists to run under RCV. But also more centrists (e.g., Bloomberg). Since the centrists are closer to the median voter, they will defeat the extremists. The evidence I have seen suggests that RCV increases turn-out. [But it’s important that voters be given the choice to rank as many or few candidates as they like, so that a voter always has the option of voting for a single candidate (in effect, he would be ranking all other candidates as tied for second). In practice, most voters choose to rank two or three candidates, but a significant fraction just rank one] In fact the increase in the diversity of candidates under RCV is related to turn-out. If RCV had been used in 2016, Bernie Sanders could have run as an independent in the general election without fear of guaranteeing a Trump victory. Many of the Bernie supporters who stayed home on election day might then have voted---and presumably would have ranked Clinton second. This would have given Ker a victory over Trump in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania (and possibly elsewhere). Eric From: LHS <i Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2018 7:52 PM To: Maskin, Eric Ce: lhsoffice Subject: Re: This morning I get that formal argument What about aspects not quite in model. More folk will run from extremes if they can attract more First run votes. Candidates can position a bit. Separately I pitched this to someone today. He said he had heard that because of its greater complexity African American and lower income turnout was depressed. Is there evidence on turnout impacts? Sent from my iPhone Please direct all scheduling inquiries to my office tt Follow me on twitter @lhsummers HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026509