MFEI PRESS RELEASE: Research Shows Ranked Choice Voting Could Disenfranchise Michigan Voters
- 3 days ago
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 19, 2025
Contact: Melanie Nivelt
Mobile: 248.425.8896
Lansing, MI – The Michigan Fair Elections Institute (MFEI) today announced the release of its comprehensive report, Ranked Choice Voting: A Threat to Our Electoral Process, examining ranked-choice voting (RCV) and its implications for Michigan's electoral system. The 28-page analysis draws from peer-reviewed research at leading institutions, including Harvard University, Cornell University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Chicago, and the London School of Economics, and it has been endorsed by a county clerk, former federal judge, and leading RCV experts.
Election integrity attorney Erick Kaardal praised the analysis, stating,
"Michigan Fair Elections Institute has published a spectacular white paper detailing concerns about Ranked Choice Voting. The MFEI's white paper on the RCV issue is timely for Michigan because of proposed constitutional ballot questions in 2026 on the topic."
The report comes as Rank MI Vote launches a petition drive for a 2026 constitutional amendment implementing ranked-choice voting.
MFEI’s white paper analysis addresses the growing attention surrounding RCV in Michigan, questioning its sudden popularity and the motivations behind its advocacy, particularly by prominent globalist donors. It delves into the system's historical roots, practical challenges, and documented failures, offering critical insights for voters, policymakers, and election officials.
The report comes as Rank MI Vote launches a petition drive for a 2026 constitutional amendment implementing ranked-choice voting.
Expert Endorsements: Former Federal Judge William Wagner authored the report's foreword, while Allegan County Clerk Robert Genetski II contributed the preface.
"As the chief election official for over 122,000 residents in my county, I cannot support a system that discards some voters' ballots to create a winner," Genetski wrote.
Key Research Findings:
Systemic Ballot Flaws. Ballot Elimination: Up to 53% of ballots may not count in final tabulation due to ballot elimination, which proponents refer to as "ballot exhaustion." Ballot-marking errors occur at nearly 10 times the rate of traditional elections, disproportionately affecting minority communities.
Michigan's Previous Failures: RCV was rejected twice in Michigan. The state Supreme Court declared its use "unconstitutional" and “communist” in Kalamazoo in 1919. Then 62% of Ann Arbor voters repealed it in 1976.
Historical Pattern of Rejection: Since RCV's origins in the 1892 Socialist Party platform, 39 U.S. localities have repealed it after implementation. Of 24 municipalities that adopted RCV by 1947, only one retained it by 1962. Currently, five Michigan municipalities have approved RCV for their local elections, but they have not implemented it due to prohibition under state law.
Global Rejections: In 2022, London, England, abandoned RCV in favor of the more “robust and secure” first-past-the-post (FPTP) system, similar to Michigan's current process.
Current Public Opposition: A June 2025 Glengariff Group poll found 65% of Michiganders oppose RCV implementation.
Security Vulnerabilities: MIT researchers identified RCV as uniquely susceptible to vote-buying schemes due to its complex ballot format, potentially compromising ballot secrecy.
Administrative Costs: Studies show RCV implementation significantly increases election costs and administrative burden, with 90% of Maine municipal clerks favoring repeal.
Majority Winner Problem: Cornell University analysis of 182 RCV elections found more than half failed to elect candidates with majority support from all votes cast.
"The evidence is clear: Ranked-choice voting creates more problems than it solves," said Patrice Johnson, MFEI Chair. "From voter disenfranchisement to security risks to administrative nightmares, RCV threatens the integrity and accessibility of Michigan elections. Michiganders deserve better than this flawed system."
The report details six primary objections to RCV: voter disenfranchisement, ballot nullification, decreased accountability with increased corruption risk, lack of winner legitimacy, elimination of traditional runoff referendums, and increased fiscal burden.
The complete report is available for free download in MFEI Library. MFEI encourages all Michigan voters, elected officials, and civic organizations to review the research before the potential 2026 ballot initiative.
About Michigan Fair Elections Institute
Michigan Fair Elections Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting transparent, secure, and accessible elections in Michigan through research, advocacy, and public education. MFEI is committed to ensuring every eligible vote counts and that Michigan's electoral processes maintain the highest standards of integrity.
