I wrote a related entry for the cause explorations on voting methods, and I broadly agree about the importance of polarization and the most promising solutions. However, alternative voting methods vary considerably in how much they disincentivize polarizing rhetoric and policy, and single-winner Ranked Choice Voting is one of the least effective voting methods in this regard. In a recent paper, I found that Condorcet voting methods and STAR Voting offer candidates an incentive to appeal to opposing voters that’s over twice as strong as the incentive presented by Ranked Choice Voting, so efforts to build momentum behind these lesser-known voting methods could be especially effective. Additionally, creating momentum for one of these voting methods could get non-EA funders involved, so it would take a dramatically lower investment than a statewide ballot initiative to make considerable progress.
I wrote a related entry for the cause explorations on voting methods, and I broadly agree about the importance of polarization and the most promising solutions. However, alternative voting methods vary considerably in how much they disincentivize polarizing rhetoric and policy, and single-winner Ranked Choice Voting is one of the least effective voting methods in this regard. In a recent paper, I found that Condorcet voting methods and STAR Voting offer candidates an incentive to appeal to opposing voters that’s over twice as strong as the incentive presented by Ranked Choice Voting, so efforts to build momentum behind these lesser-known voting methods could be especially effective. Additionally, creating momentum for one of these voting methods could get non-EA funders involved, so it would take a dramatically lower investment than a statewide ballot initiative to make considerable progress.