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Yes —  ranked-choice voting (RCV)  can be  manipulated or “stacked” , though it is more resistant to traditional forms of election rigging than plurality voting. However,  strategic behavior ,  ballot design choices , and  candidate coordination  can still influence outcomes. Here are  ways the “deck can be stacked” in RCV : 1.  Candidate Cloning or "Crowding the Field" A group can  run multiple similar candidates  to dominate the ranked preferences of their voter base. If those candidates are eliminated, the votes transfer to another preferred candidate from the same faction. This is a subtle way of  amplifying one ideology or group’s influence  across the rankings. Example:  A progressive bloc could run three similar candidates, knowing that their base will rank all three at the top. If the first two are eliminated, their votes naturally go to the third. 2.  Strategic Ranking Recommendations Campaigns can ...

Ranked-Choice Voting: A Better Way to Elect Leaders? Introduction Ranked-choice voting (RCV) is gaining momentum across the United States as a reform aimed at making elections more fair, inclusive, and representative. In a political landscape often dominated by divisive campaigns and strategic voting, RCV offers voters more power and more voice. But what exactly is ranked-choice voting, and how does it work? What are its advantages and drawbacks? And can it truly improve American democracy? What Is Ranked-Choice Voting? Ranked-choice voting, sometimes called  instant-runoff voting , allows voters to  rank candidates in order of preference  rather than choosing just one. On the ballot, voters mark their  first-choice candidate , then their  second choice ,  third , and so on (usually up to 5 candidates, depending on the jurisdiction). Here's how the process works: First-choice votes  are counted. If a candidate receives more than  50% of first-choi...