RCV Helped NYC Build Broad Coalitions — It Could Do the Same in Pennsylvania

In a stunning victory, Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist and community organizer, toppled a former governor and political machine, clinching a historic victory in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. His victory was made possible by Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). Voters were given options, rather than being boxed into binary choices or manipulated by fear. Instead, they built a coalition of values and won. RCV didn’t just change how people vote. It changed who has power. With RCV, Mamdani was able to build a coalition across issue areas, working with fellow progressive Brad Lander to run a shared ranked strategy: “You rank me, I’ll rank you.” It worked.

Ranked Choice Voting didn’t elect a candidate. It elevated a movement.

So, why are we still stuck with the old system here in Pennsylvania?

The Problem with Our Current Elections

Pennsylvania still uses first-past-the-post elections, meaning whoever gets the most votes wins, even if they fall far short of a majority. When an election is between two candidates, that might seem fine. However, increasingly, we are seeing crowded races, and first-past-the-post is a recipe for dysfunction.

We are often forced to “vote strategically”, picking the lesser evil, not our actual favorite. And candidates spend more time attacking each other than trying to earn broad support. The result? A system that fuels polarization, discourages new voices, and undermines our faith in democracy. 

That’s exactly what happened in New York City. Mamdani and his allies campaigned on solidarity — “Rank me first, rank Brad Lander second” — and built a winning alliance that would’ve been crushed under traditional rules.

What Ranked Choice Voting Actually Does

Forget the wonky diagrams and high school civics videos. Here’s what RCV means in real, tangible terms:

• No more vote-splitting. You can rank your favorite candidate first without worrying that you’re “helping the other side.”

• Real majority rule. No more winning with 30%. RCV ensures every winner has over 50% support by reallocating votes from eliminated candidates.

• Coalition politics, not toxic-attack politics. Candidates are incentivized to appeal to their opponents’ supporters, not smear them.

• New voices rise. Voters can support underdogs without strategic hesitation, making it possible for community organizers and outsider candidates to win.

Pennsylvania can be next. But only if we organize — locally, consistently, and together.

Let’s stop choosing between the “lesser evil” and start voting for the leaders we truly believe in. Let’s rank our votes — and raise our voices.