Why New Jersey’s Elections Are Broken—and How Ranked Choice Voting Can Fix Them
"Why New Jersey’s Elections Are Broken—and How Ranked Choice Voting Can Fix Them"
Let’s face it: New Jersey’s election system needs a major makeover. We’re not talking about a new coat of paint; we’re talking about gutting the kitchen, tearing down some walls, and maybe hiring a Feng shui expert to figure out why nobody wants to show up. Voter turnout in the Garden State’s legislative and gubernatorial elections is about as inspiring as a soggy pork roll sandwich—and that’s a problem.
The “Competitive Races” Illusion
First, let’s address the elephant in the room: the lack of competitive races. Back in 2011, a whopping 4 out of 120 state legislative races were considered competitive. Four. That’s like going to a boxing match where one fighter is a pro and the other… isn’t even in the ring. Why bother voting when the outcome feels preordained?
Off-Year Election Blues
New Jersey insists on holding state elections in odd-numbered years, separating them from the big, flashy federal elections. This off-year schedule is like throwing a party the weekend after New Year’s—nobody’s in the mood, and turnout reflects it. We’re one of only seven states that do this, and it’s not exactly working wonders for engagement.
Voter Fatigue: The “Meh” Factor
Since 1972, turnout in legislative midterms has averaged just 75% of the preceding gubernatorial election. And since 1992, that’s dropped to a mere 62%. It’s like we’re running a marathon but can’t even make it to the halfway point. People are tired, disengaged, or just plain apathetic.
Limited Choices, Limited Representation
Another glaring issue is the lack of real choice on the ballot. With limited candidates, many New Jersey voters feel their voices are neither heard nor represented. This contributes to the pervasive sense of disillusionment with the system. Instead of voting for someone they genuinely believe in, voters are often left choosing the “lesser of two evils.” This dynamic, combined with the ever-present spoiler effect—where voting for a third-party candidate is seen as “wasting” a vote—only adds to their distress. It’s no wonder so many residents simply opt out.
Information Black Hole
Let’s not forget the information void. How are voters supposed to make informed decisions when candidates—especially for local offices like school boards—barely put themselves out there? It’s like trying to pick a restaurant when all the Yelp reviews are blank.
Technical Difficulties and Long Lines
Even when people muster the energy to vote, they’re met with technical issues and too few voting machines. Long wait times aren’t just inconvenient; they’re a surefire way to ensure people don’t bother next time.
Closed Primaries: A Gatekeeping Nightmare
New Jersey’s closed primary system doesn’t help either. Unaffiliated voters have to declare a party to participate, which feels like being forced to pick a side in a family feud. It’s exclusionary and discouraging.
The Perception Problem
Perhaps the biggest issue is that many voters feel their votes don’t count. In areas dominated by one party, elections feel like a done deal before the first ballot is cast. Why show up if the result is already written in stone?
By the Numbers
The stats paint a grim picture:
2021 Gubernatorial Election: 40% turnout—one of the lowest in a century.
2017 Gubernatorial Election: 38.5% turnout—the lowest on record at the time.
2022 Midterm Election: 41% turnout—the second-lowest for a midterm in 20 years.
And don’t even get us started on state legislative elections, where fewer than a third of registered voters bother to show up.
So, What’s the Fix?
New Jersey’s election system needs a serious rethink. Here are a few ideas:
Align Elections: Combine state and federal elections to boost turnout.
Open Primaries: Let unaffiliated voters have their say without declaring allegiance.
Increase Accessibility: Invest in voting machines and streamline the process to avoid long lines.
Promote Competitive Races: Redistricting reforms could help level the playing field.
Ranked-Choice Voting: Address the spoiler effect and give voters the freedom to rank candidates without fear of “wasting” their vote.
Educate and Engage: Candidates need to step up and provide clear, accessible information.
It’s time to stop accepting low turnout as the norm and start building a system that actually works for New Jersey voters. Because right now, democracy in the Garden State feels less like a thriving ecosystem and more like a patch of weeds. Let’s fix it.
So, What’s the Fix?
New Jersey’s election system needs a serious rethink. One promising solution is Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), a system that could address many of the state’s voter engagement issues and breathe new life into our elections.
Ranked Choice Voting: A Game Changer?
Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) has the potential to engage citizens in New Jersey, boost voter turnout, and make elections feel more meaningful. Here’s how it works:
Increased Voter Choice: RCV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, giving them more options and potentially increasing their interest in the electoral process.
Reduced Strategic Voting: By eliminating the need to choose between voting for a preferred candidate or a "safe" option, RCV encourages voters to express their true preferences.
More Diverse Candidates: RCV can promote a more diverse field of candidates, potentially attracting voters who feel better represented.
Positive Campaigning: RCV incentivizes candidates to appeal to a broader base, potentially reducing negative campaigning and increasing voter engagement.
Youth Engagement: The implementation of RCV could be particularly effective in engaging young voters. For example, New Jersey's High School Voter Registration Week program has already shown success in increasing youth voter registration.
By addressing issues like the "spoiler effect" and encouraging more positive campaigning, RCV has the potential to make elections more engaging and increase voter participation across New Jersey.
How RCV Works
Here’s a quick breakdown of the RCV process:
Voters Rank Candidates: Instead of selecting only one candidate, voters can rank multiple candidates (usually up to five) in order of preference—1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, and so on.
First Round of Counting: All first-choice votes are tallied. If a candidate receives more than 50% of the first-choice votes, they win outright.
Elimination Rounds: If no candidate receives a majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated.
Vote Redistribution: Ballots for the eliminated candidate are redistributed to the voters' next choice candidates.
Repeat Process: Steps 3 and 4 are repeated until a candidate receives a majority of votes or only two candidates remain.
RCV aims to ensure that the winning candidate has broad support, even if they weren’t everyone’s first choice. With a system like this, New Jersey could transform its elections into a process that truly reflects the will of the people.
"Overcoming Myths and Misconceptions: Why RCV’s Benefits Outweigh Its Challenges"
Despite the perceived challenges, many of the obstacles to implementing Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in New Jersey are either overstated or entirely solvable. Concerns about complexity, for instance, have been disproven in other states and cities where RCV is already in use. Voters quickly adapt to the system, especially when clear and straightforward education campaigns are implemented. Similarly, fears of voter disenfranchisement due to ballot exhaustion can be mitigated by encouraging voters to rank as many candidates as possible.
The cost argument also falls flat. With all New Jersey counties now using RCV-compatible voting machines, the infrastructure is already in place. The remaining expenses, such as training election officials and updating ballot designs, are modest compared to the long-term savings from eliminating costly runoff elections. As for delayed results, while RCV may take slightly longer to count, this tradeoff ensures a winner with true majority support—a small price to pay for a more representative democracy.
Legal and political resistance, though possible, shouldn’t deter progress. Other jurisdictions have successfully navigated these hurdles, and New Jersey can learn from their experiences. Misconceptions about RCV, like the myth that it allows multiple votes per person, can be addressed through effective public outreach and education.
Ultimately, the benefits of RCV—ensuring majority support, increasing voter choice, promoting positive campaigning, and fostering diversity—far outweigh the manageable challenges. New Jersey is already equipped with the tools to make this transition, and by addressing these concerns head-on, the state can lead the way in modernizing its electoral system for a more inclusive and engaging democracy.
"Goodbye Strategic Voting, Hello Meaningful Choices"
So, what’s the verdict? Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) isn’t just a shiny new gadget for democracy nerds—it’s a practical, proven way to fix what’s broken in New Jersey’s elections. By implementing RCV statewide, we could finally ensure that winning candidates have real majority support, not just a slim plurality. Voters would have the freedom to rank their true preferences without fear of wasting their vote or accidentally helping the candidate they like least.
RCV could also transform the tone of our elections. Imagine campaigns that focus on real issues instead of mudslinging, as candidates seek not just first-choice votes but second and third-choice support. It’s a recipe for civil discourse and smarter decision-making. Plus, no more expensive, time-consuming runoff elections—RCV handles it all in one go.
And let’s not forget the bigger picture: RCV lowers barriers for diverse candidates, reduces strategic voting, and increases voter turnout. It’s a system that amplifies every voice, mitigates the spoiler effect, and provides voters with meaningful choices. In short, it’s a system designed to reflect the true will of the people.
New Jersey deserves elections that engage, inspire, and represent its people. RCV is the way to get there. It’s time to stop settling for the status quo and start building a system that works for everyone. Are we ready to make democracy work better for the Garden State? Let’s rank this idea #1.
