Friend --

If you’ve watched this summer's map fights and thought, "there has to be a better way!,” you’re right. You already know we use this space, our voice, and our organizing power to make Ranked Choice Voting that "better way" across America.

But what you may be less familiar with is our growing mission... which recognizes that beyond a better way, the "best way" also includes powerful reforms like Proportional Representation (PR) which can end gerrymandering by just by combining ranked choice voting with multi-member districts.

Why Proportional Representation?

These additional reforms don't just blunt gerrymandering (and end the reckless redistricting doom spiral); it also opens the door for more representative councils and legislatures. That means a better shot for younger leaders, historically under-represented populations, and a faster path to gender balance.

... and why now?

Winner-take-all districts magnify “winner’s bonus” outcomes and make it easy to lock in power with carefully drawn lines. When we shift to multi-member districts that allocate seats proportionally, such lines matter far less because each district's multiple seats end up matching votes much more closely—even on heavily gerrymandered maps.

And there’s a generational upside: Research shows young adults tend to be better represented under proportional rules than under winner-take-all. When parties can present full slates, newer voices get onto the ballot and into office without displacing everyone else.

On the ground, we’ve seen what this looks like. In Portland's first PRCV election, voters chose the city’s most representative council ever -- one that had more gender-balance, renters, people of color, and members from across the city’s neighborhoods. That’s not an accident, it's exactly how the system is designed.

Women’s Representation: Progress, but Still a Long Way to Go

You may be familiar with the Gender Parity Index (GPI) from our partners at RepresentWomen. This year has had some good news, and a reminder of the good work still required.

For the first time ever, three states achieved "A" grades: New Hampshire, Oregon, and Maine. These states currently achieve gender-balanced governance based on the number of women elected at the federal, state, and local levels. That’s real progress!

Zoom out and the story is mixed: Women are still under-represented across the country.

Reforms change that trajectory. Analyses highlight how RCV (and especially PRCV) reduces “wait-your-turn” gatekeeping, rewards coalition-building, and creates more viable paths for women to run and win. Portland’s results -- and examples from other RCV jurisdictions -- back this up in practice.

What Rank the Vote Is Doing

We’re expanding our education and organizing portfolio to help communities learn and adopt proportional representation -- including PRCV -- coast to coast. That means toolkits for local leaders, briefings for civic groups, and hands-on campaigns wherever momentum is building.

How to Make this Work Durable

We’re building a reform movement that’s steady, practical, and local. The most effective way to power that work is a recurring gift. Why monthly?

🎁  Stability = impact. Monthly giving helps provide stable support that keeps programs moving between the big, unpredictable news cycles that often propel fundraising in the democracy reform space.

🎁  Stronger for longer. All the social science data shows that recurring donors, even when giving smaller gifts, have a much greater long term impact on the causes they care about.

We know you’re busy, budgets are tight, and you’d like your giving to actually change outcomes.

Would it be a crazy idea to make your biggest impact the easiest one -- say $10, $15, or $20 a month -- so we can train local organizers, brief civic groups, and help cities and states adopt Ranked Choice Voting and Proportional Representation without stopping and starting?

Keep in mind...

✅  Your control, your cadence. Pick an amount you won’t feel, and change or cancel anytime.

✅  Identity & Progress. We’ll report back with wins from your gift -- so you know exactly what your generosity is making possible.

✅  Join a community. Monthly supporters aren't just investing in Rank the Vote, you're investing in the future of your community and country. Be part of something bigger than yourself, with people who care as much as you!

Every action matters. Every voice adds power. Whether you're able to contribute your time, talent, treasure, or all of the above to the cause of making our democracy stronger and elections better, you're always welcome and valued here.

So let’s keep taking action -- together,

Eileen Reavey
Executive Director
Rank the Vote

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