Questions about RCV in Illinois

  • Where is ranked choice voting currently used?

    Illinois is on the cusp. Voters in Evanston, Oak Park, and Skokie have all passed referenda adopting ranked choice voting for their local elections, though implementation is pending. Our state capital, Springfield, uses RCV for overseas and military voters participating in certain local elections. Nationally, RCV is used statewide in Maine and Alaska, and in cities including New York City, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Santa Fe, and Oakland. For a full map of where RCV is currently in use in the United States, visit FairVote.org. 

  • What is the process for adopting RCV in Illinois?

    The path depends on the community. Under the Illinois Constitution, home-rule municipalities have significant authority over the form and conduct of their local elections, and several Illinois communities have already moved to adopt ranked choice voting for local races through voter referenda. 

     

    Turning those local decisions into administered elections also involves the practical side of implementation, ensuring election authorities have clear procedures and certified equipment to run RCV smoothly. FairVote Illinois and our partners are working to support that implementation so that communities who have chosen ranked choice voting can put it into practice.

  • Are there any current efforts to implement RCV in Illinois?

    Yes, and the momentum is building. Three Illinois communities have already voted for ranked choice voting at the ballot box: Evanston in 2022, and Oak Park in 2024, and Skokie in 2025. These communities are ready to lead, and they've set the stage for RCV across the state.

     

    To put these local victories into practice, RCV supporters are working to pass local-option legislation in Springfield, which would clear the way for Illinois municipalities to implement the reform their voters have chosen. There's also growing interest in bringing RCV to Chicago. 

     

    Your town could be next. Get involved to help bring ranked choice voting to your community.

  • Who supports RCV in Illinois?

    Ranked choice voting has support from elected officials, organizations, and community leaders across Illinois, and that list keeps growing.

     

    In the General Assembly, support is reflected in the sponsors of RCV local-option legislation, Senate Bill 2004. The current sponsors are Senators Laura Murphy, David Koehler, Robert Peters, Graciela Guzmán, Mary Edly-Allen, Napoleon Harris III, Rachel Ventura, Emil Jones III, and Mattie Hunter. There are many other members of the Illinois House and Senate who support RCV, and the list is changing all the time. 

     

    In Chicago, a growing coalition of alderpersons, officials, and community leaders backs RCV. You can see the current list of Chicago supporters on our Chicago page.

     

    If you or your organization would like to add your name in support, we'd love to hear from you, reach out here.