Instant Runoff Voting (also known as ranked choice voting, RCV) is a simple but powerful upgrade to Georgia's outdated runoff election system. Day by day, more and more Georgia voters are calling for RCV from their representatives to improve our elections and empower voters.

Better Ballot Georgia is pleased to produce this voter guide to inform Georgia primary voters of their candidates’ thoughts and opinions on RCV. Below you will find a snapshot of candidates' responses.

Follow this link to find the full voter guide.

All statements are provided by the candidates themselves and are not changed or editorialized by the Better Ballot Georgia. Candidate responses to the questions are their own and do not represent the views of Better Ballot Georgia. This document is not an endorsement or disapproval of any candidate. This document serves to inform voters of candidates’ positions pertinent to Ranked Choice Voting.

To learn more about Instant Runoff/Ranked Choice Voting, go to our information page. 

Spotlights

Image of Marvin Lim

Marvin Lim: (D)

HD: 98

 “I am supportive of Ranked Choice Voting as an option for local governments. Ranked choice voting can be more efficient. Any local government would need to invest in a great deal of education if/when it switches to RCV.”

Image of David Jenkins

David Jenkins (R)
HD 136

 "Ranked choice [for localities] would be much cheaper than runoffs and yield better results."

Image of Furquan Stafford

Furquan Stafford: (R)
SD 10

“As a candidate for the Georgia State Senate, I believe that empowering local governments with the option to implement Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) for local elections can be a positive step forward. RCV can enhance our democratic process by ensuring that elected officials more accurately reflect the preferences of their constituents. It can reduce the need for costly run-off elections, encourage more diverse candidates to run, and promote more civil and issue-focused campaigns. However, it's crucial to ensure that any implementation of RCV is accompanied by comprehensive voter education to ensure all citizens understand how the system works. Additionally, local governments should be given the flexibility to decide if RCV is the right fit for their communities, allowing them to tailor electoral processes to best serve their residents. Overall, offering the option of RCV can strengthen local democracy in Georgia.J”

https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/200/300/ParentElena.jpg

Elena Parent (D)
SD 44

 "I support Ranked Choice Voting for runoff elections because there are so many benefits in some cases.  This simple instant runoff process allows more parties, more candidates to run, while requiring a majority to win. Rank choice voting incentivizes candidates to appeal to more voters – not just to extremists. And, ranked choice voting can save us money."

All known candidate stances

Supports RCV
Partially supports RCV
Opposes RCV

Georgia House of Representatives

RCV sentiment District Name Party
34 Karl Gallegos D ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “I believe being given the opportunity to choose is good. However, citizens need to understand any changes to the election rules.”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “My concern is the disinformation and misinformation that could come from implementing any change to the election system.”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “I believe that it is important to educate citizens about the alternatives and the reason for any changes that are made. Otherwise, conspiracy theories regarding a rigged system or election fraud could lead to overwhelming lack of trust among the electorate. As it currently stands, there is a pervasive misunderstanding about the validity of the 2020 election. Teaching young people in high school about statistical reasoning using election choices as an example, might help older people understand the positive impact of rank choice.”
42 Gabriel Sanchez D ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “I think it's a great way to introduce ranked choice voting to voters and help them learn how it works and witness the benefits! We should definitely pass legislation to allow local municipalities to use it, and also investing in educating voters around it.”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “I believe Ranked Choice Voting is a much better and efficient system of voting that will ensure better representation, increased voter participation, and a more educated voter.”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “We unfortunately have leadership in Georgia who instead of expanding the right to vote and improving our elections are unnecessarily suppressing it with overly strict measures that don't actually provide much more security but do make it harder for certain voters to vote. We should have same day voter registration, expand drop boxes to 2020 levels, expand voting by mail, and make election day a paid holiday off for workers. We should also stop the purges of voters that disproportionately impact voters of color who are eligible to vote, and make sure all measures are taken to avoid removing eligible voters from the rolls. And of course, we should implement Ranked Choice Voting for our elections.”
45 Eric Castater D ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “I support local governments being able to use Ranked Choice Voting in local elections.”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “I support it. Using Ranked Choice Voting would save the state substantial money (since only one general election would be held) and save voters substantial time (since they would only have to vote on one occasion in the general election).”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “The Republican majority at the Capitol in Atlanta making it harder for people to vote while making it easier for politicians to overturn election results; gerrymandering; and a hyper partisan State Election Board.”
46 Micheal Garza D ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “I'm generally in favor of Ranked Choice Voting.”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “I could potentially support it, but I would prefer changes like this be part of a larger comprehensive reform of how we conduct elections, such as redistricting commissions to draw maps, expansion of absentee ballots, etc. I believe a combination of those things would expand the choices that voters have on their ballots throughout the state.”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “What we are seeing lately is partisan changes to election laws yearly because a certain candidate lost an election four years ago. That has the potential to create chaos on election night and to delay the certifications of elections. The shortened window for voting coupled with problems with mail service limit the options Georgians have to vote.”
60 Sheila Jones D ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “I do not agree with the option of using Ranked Choice Voting”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “I am in favor of the State having runoff elections”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “Affordable Quality Housing, capping the rental rates for our Senior Citizens who live in senior living facilities, increasing the Minimum Wage in Georgia, gun safety measures”
72 Rodney Moore D ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “Yes.”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “Yes.”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “Medicare for Senior Citizens.”
74 Robert Flournoy Jr D ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “I believe voters should have the right to select their candidates.”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “I believe that the power to select a candidate should be done through the ballot box and not given to someone else to decide.”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “I believe that the power to select a candidate should be done through the ballot box and not given to someone else to decide.”
96 Arlene Beckles D ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “Ranked Choice Voting undermines the principle of majority rule by allowing candidates with fewer first-choice votes to win. It complicates the electoral process and may confuse voters. Traditional voting methods ensure clarity and accountability. Let's prioritize simplicity and fairness in our electoral systems rather than experimenting with risky alternatives.”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “Ranked Choice Voting may introduce complexity and confusion, potentially disenfranchising voters unfamiliar with the system. Runoff elections provide a precise, straightforward method to determine majority support. Implementing Ranked Choice Voting without sufficient public education could undermine confidence in election outcomes and exacerbate voter apathy. Traditional runoffs remain a reliable safeguard of democratic integrity.”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “There is a need for more transparent and secure election processes, including robust oversight of voting technology and the introduction of infrastructure to include access to safe secure internet voting. Increasing voter education and engagement is crucial for a more equitable and representative democracy in Georgia.”
97 Ruwa Romman D ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “I believe local governments should have the option to hold ranked choice voting but that the parameters for it are clear to ensure uniformity across the state.”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “Yes, but first we need to pilot ranked choice voting in cities to ensure proper roll out.”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “If we are going to have strict voter ID laws, we need to make it easier for Georgian's to get IDs that meet the standard. Additionally, we should have same day voter registration since the technology is available. This will help alleviate some confusion around moving. Lastly, we need to stop the unelected Election Board from making arbitrary changing election rules particularly so close to election season.”
98 Marvin Lim D ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “I am supportive of Ranked Choice Voting as an option for local governments. Ranked choice voting can be more efficient. Any local government would need to invest in a great deal of education if/when it switches to RCV.”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “I am supportive of Ranked Choice Voting as a possible method of conducting elections for the state. Ranked choice voting can be more efficient, as shown in the overseas/military ballot context. We would, however, need to make sure we put sufficient time, effort, and resources into educating voters, should we decide to make that switch”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “With all that has been said and done, we still need to focus on improving voters' experiences. We create too many hurdles for bona fide eligible and registered voters to vote, and can do more in terms of proactive voter education, language access, access for people with disabilities, etc. - issues that have gone by the wayside because there's been so much undue attention focused on so-called ‘voter fraud”
100 Jennifer Ambler D ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “Support 100%.”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “Support 100%.”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “Gerrymandering, lack of RCV, bad actors stoking fears about the level of election security, removing voters from the rolls, threatening not to certify elections.”
136 David Jenkins R ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “Strongly agree. These are typically nonpartisan and have a bunch of candidates. Ranked choice would be much cheaper than runoffs and yield better results”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “I disagree because this will cause longer vote counts. Runoffs are not that common at the state level”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “Local control leads to disparity in quality. A bad county elections superintendent can destroy confidence in Georgia elections statewide”
157 Bill Werkheiser R ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “For”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “For”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “Listening to the GOP party”

Georgia State Senate

RCV Sentiment District Name Party
6 Jenny Enderlin D ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “When done correctly, ranked choice voting ensures competent leaders are elected and gives more voice to the people”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “I'm all for it”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “GOP legislators who are not committed to Democracy like to gerrymander districts, make it easy to remove voters off the rolls, send broken voting machines to primarily Black/Democratic areas to increase wait times, make laws forbidding giving water or food to voters waiting in long lines/allow line bathroom-break line holders, reduce Sunday "Souls to the Polls" opportunities to keep Black citizens from voting, reduce the number of drop-off ballot boxes which affects those who who work outside of standard business hours, opt against accurate machine tallying of votes, and equip election boards to challenge certification.Over the last three years, Georgia has faced significant challenges, particularly allegations of election tampering that, unfortunately, remain unaddressed. Without secure elections, the fundamental trust in our democratic process has deteriorated, leaving citizens uncertain about the credibility of their voices and votes. Georgia needs to revert back to hand-marked, hand-counted, watermarked paper ballots as well as banning no-excuse absentee voting as both are crucial measures to upholding the integrity of our electoral process”
10 Furquan Stafford R ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “As a candidate for the Georgia State Senate, I believe that empowering local governments with the option to implement Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) for local elections can be a positive step forward. RCV can enhance our democratic process by ensuring that elected officials more accurately reflect the preferences of their constituents. It can reduce the need for costly run-off elections, encourage more diverse candidates to run, and promote more civil and issue-focused campaigns. However, it's crucial to ensure that any implementation of RCV is accompanied by comprehensive voter education to ensure all citizens understand how the system works. Additionally, local governments should be given the flexibility to decide if RCV is the right fit for their communities, allowing them to tailor electoral processes to best serve their residents. Overall, offering the option of RCV can strengthen local democracy in Georgia”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “Implementing Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) at the state level in Georgia could be a beneficial alternative to runoff elections. RCV can streamline the electoral process by eliminating the need for separate runoff elections, which can be costly and have lower voter turnout. It ensures that the elected candidate has broader support by requiring a majority preference in a single election. Additionally, RCV can encourage candidates to appeal to a wider range of voters, fostering more inclusive and representative campaigns. However, it's important to accompany any transition to RCV with thorough voter education to ensure that all Georgians understand the process and feel confident in their participation. Overall, RCV could enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our electoral system in Georgia ”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “In Georgia elections, several issues often arise: 1. Voter Access: Challenges include long wait times at polling stations, limited early voting locations, and difficulties in obtaining absentee ballots, which can disproportionately affect certain communities. 2. Voter Registration: There have been concerns about voter roll purges and registration barriers, which can prevent eligible voters from participating. 3. Election Security: Ensuring the integrity of electronic voting systems and protecting against potential cybersecurity threats is a critical issue. 4. Misinformation: The spread of false information can confuse voters and undermine trust in the electoral process. 5. Voter Education: There’s a need for more comprehensive voter education to ensure that all citizens understand their rights and the voting process. Addressing these issues is essential to ensure fair and accessible elections for all Georgians ”
29 Ellen Wright D ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “I think it would be a great idea once we can get the idea across to a bunch of people who are resistant to changes period”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “Any method used is going to have detractors. I'll admit to some nervousness about it, but I can see advantages to using it. Worth trying at any rate”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “Mostly attempts at voter suppression and intimidation around me (rural areas and lower income areas). Gerrymandering to "tilt" elections in favor of one party is a given and that really burns my tail feathers. I want third party neutral redistricting, but realistically know the chances of anything like that happening in Georgia and Slim was rumored to be eaten by gators in the Okefenokee.”
44 Elena Parent D ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “Ranked Choice Voting would be an efficient and democratic option for local elections”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “I support Ranked Choice Voting for run-off elections because there are so many benefits in some cases. This simple instant runoff process allows more parties, more candidates to run, while requiring a majority to win. Rank choice voting incentivizes candidates to appeal to more voters – not just to extremists. And, ranked choice voting can save us money”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “Gerrymandering and legislation that suppresses votes by making it harder to vote are the most serious issues facing our electoral process”
47 Conolus Scott D ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “I am in favor”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “No”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “Too complex, System should for everyone to vote”
55 JD Jordan D ▼
  1. How do you feel about localities having the option to use RCV?
    “Ranked choice voting eliminates the need for runoff elections and encourages more representative outcomes by allowing voters to rank candidates, which reduces strategic voting and promotes positive campaigning. This system can lead to higher voter engagement and more diverse candidate pools”
  2. How do you feel about using RCV for State offices?
    “At the state level, ranked choice voting eliminates the need for costly and low-turnout runoff elections by ensuring a candidate with broad support wins in a single round. It also encourages more positive campaigning and reduces the impact of strategic voting, leading to more representative and democratic outcomes”
  3. What problems do you see with our voting system generally?
    “We need to move past the 2020 election lie. Georgia operates safe and secure elections and enjoys some of the highest voter registration rates in the country. We need to focus on trusting our neighbors and advocating for their needs”