The votes have been cast, the results are in, and whether you're celebrating or disappointed, one thing remains true: our work to build a better election system doesn't end on Election Day.

Elections have a way of reminding us just how much our voices matter. But what if we could have more choices, more meaningful competition, and a system that better represents the people it serves?

Join Rank The Vote Ohio for our November Statewide Meeting, held online via Zoom, as we look beyond the election and explore what comes next for Ranked Choice Voting in Ohio.

We'll talk about what we're working toward, the opportunities ahead, and how ordinary Ohioans can help bring about meaningful change in our elections.

New to Ranked Choice Voting or Rank The Vote Ohio? You're especially welcome! We'll start with a brief introduction to how RCV works, share what our organization is doing across the state, and explore ways you can get involved, whether you have a little time or a lot.

You don't need political experience to make a difference. You just need to believe that voters deserve greater choice and a stronger voice.

The election may be over, but the work of building a better democracy continues. Come find your place in it!

Ranked Choice Voting 101: How It Works and Why It Matters

Curious about Ranked Choice Voting? Wondering how it works or why so many people are excited about it?

Join Rank The Vote Ohio for a free, 30-minute online introduction to Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), held live on Zoom!

We'll walk you through the basics of how RCV works, how votes are counted, and how it can give voters more choices and a stronger voice in our elections.

No prior knowledge needed! Whether you're hearing about Ranked Choice Voting for the first time or just want a better understanding, this presentation is a great place to start.

Want to get involved? Stick around!

Immediately following RCV 101, we'll host our October Statewide Meeting, From Strategy to Action: Building the Movement for Ranked Choice Voting, also on Zoom.

You'll meet our new Deputy Director, Angie Ardis, learn about our efforts to bring Ranked Choice Voting to Ohio, and discover ways you can help make it happen.

Come for RCV 101, stay for the conversation, and see how you can be part of bringing greater choice and a stronger voice to Ohio voters!

Building the Movement for Ranked Choice Voting

We've explored the Pathways to Victory, learned from ballot initiative campaigns across the country, and started developing a strategy for bringing Ranked Choice Voting to Ohio. But what does it actually take to turn those plans into action?

Join us virtually for our October Statewide Meeting as we explore the people, relationships, and organizing efforts needed to build a movement that can bring meaningful change to Ohio's elections.

This month, we're excited to introduce Angie Ardis, Rank The Vote Ohio's new Deputy Director! Angie brings decades of experience in grassroots organizing, coalition building, and community advocacy. She'll share insights from her work and help us explore what successful organizing looks like, how we can strengthen our local efforts, and what each of us can do to help move Ranked Choice Voting forward.

Winning change takes more than a good idea. It takes people working together toward a common goal.

Whether you're a longtime volunteer, a new supporter, or simply curious about Ranked Choice Voting, we hope you'll join us for this conversation about where we're headed and how we can get there together.

Bring your questions, your ideas, and a friend!

New to Ranked Choice Voting? RSVP HERE to join us at 6:30 for our RCV 101! 

SB63 & Home Rule Resources

Here are the key facts, legal background, and resources in one place.

What SB63 Does

SB63 was signed into law on March 17, 2026. It prohibits the adoption of Ranked Choice Voting in Ohio by threatening local governments with the loss of all Local Government Fund dollars if they adopt it.

The law is significant because of the precedent sets for local governmental control. 

If the state can impose financial penalties when it disagrees with a community exercising its constitutional authority, what other local decisions could be next?

Read SB63: [link]

What Is Home Rule?

Home Rule is the constitutional authority of Ohio municipalities to govern themselves on local matters.

Article XVIII, Section 3 of the Ohio Constitution states:

“Municipalities shall have authority to exercise all powers of local self-government…”

That language is at the center of the debate over SB63.

Ohio's Home Rule protections give municipalities authority over matters of local self-government. That's why the issue raised by SB63 goes beyond Ranked Choice Voting. The larger question is whether the state can use financial penalties to discourage a community from exercising authority it otherwise has under the Ohio Constitution.

Read Article XVIII of the Ohio Constitution: [link]

Read the Ohio Legislative Service Commission overview of Municipal Home Rule: [link]

What About Charter Cities?

Ohio charter municipalities have additional constitutional authority to structure and govern their own local affairs.

SB63 attempts to prohibit Ranked Choice Voting statewide, but the law must still operate within the limits of the Ohio Constitution.

The Ohio Secretary of State's guidance implementing SB63 acknowledges constitutional authority under Articles X and XVIII of the Ohio Constitution.

That leaves important questions about how the law applies when a charter municipality exercises its constitutional Home Rule powers.

Read the Secretary of State's SB63 directive Directive 2026-23

Why This Matters Beyond Ranked Choice Voting

You do not have to support Ranked Choice Voting to be concerned about SB63.

The larger issue is whether the state should be able to use financial penalties to pressure local communities into giving up decisions they may otherwise have the constitutional authority to make for themselves.

Home Rule affects far more than election systems.

The precedent matters.

What Have Ohio Courts Said?

Ohio courts have long recognized broad Home Rule authority over municipal elections.

In Reutener v. City of Cleveland (1923), the Ohio Supreme Court upheld Cleveland's use of the Hare system of proportional representation, an early form of Ranked Choice Voting. The Court expressly held that the system was “valid under the home rule amendment of the Ohio Constitution.”

Nearly three decades later, in State ex rel. Sherrill v. Brown (1951), the Ohio Supreme Court reaffirmed that principle. The Court stated that it had “consistently held” that under Article XVIII's Home Rule provisions, a municipality may adopt its own method of selecting municipal officers even when that method differs from the election method otherwise provided by the state.

More recently, in State ex rel. Toledo v. Lucas County Board of Elections (2002), the Ohio Supreme Court stated that “municipal elections are matters of local concern” and recognized that a charter municipality may adopt a method of selecting municipal officials different from that otherwise provided by state law.

Other Ohio Supreme Court decisions have similarly recognized municipal elections as matters of local self-government.

These cases provide important legal background for understanding the Home Rule questions raised by SB63.

Ranked Choice Voting Has a History in Ohio

Ranked Choice Voting is not new to Ohio.

Five Ohio cities used forms of Ranked Choice Voting during the 20th century, and Cincinnati used proportional Ranked Choice Voting for more than three decades.

Ohio courts also considered the legality of these voting systems more than 100 years ago.

Learn more about the history of Ranked Choice Voting in Ohio

Local Control Isn't a Partisan Issue

Republicans and Democrats have both raised concerns about states overriding local communities to prohibit Ranked Choice Voting.

When North Dakota considered restrictions on Ranked Choice Voting, Republican Governor Doug Burgum defended local control, saying:

“If we truly believe in limited government and local control, we can begin by honoring the boundaries, intent and spirit of home rule charters…”

Here in Ohio, Democratic Rep. Ashley Bryant Bailey of Cincinnati opposed SB63 on Home Rule grounds, arguing that local governments should be able to make these decisions for themselves.

Similar concerns about state overreach and local control have been raised by lawmakers in other states.

The question is not simply whether someone supports Ranked Choice Voting.

The question is whether local communities should be allowed to make that decision for themselves.

Click to contact your state representative and tell them STOP THE BAN

In order to be transparent, Rank The Vote Ohio will show our finances here.

Monthly budget 2026:

• Organizer payroll- $5,300
• Infrastructure (Basecamp, zoom etc.) $191
• Legal fees and tax prep - $58
• Events- $35
• Misc. $21

Monthly income 2026

• January-
  • Total- $1588
• February-
  • Total-  $3885
• March
  • Total-  $6240
•  April
  • Total- $3,846
• May
  • Total- Donations $3,385 
  • Grant $5,000
• June
  • Total Donations- $1,939
• July
  • Total Donations $1,942
• August
  • Total Donations $2,259
• September
  • Total Donations $1,882

Total donations 2025-- $19,612

2025 Final Expenditures

• Staff- $72,308
• Infrastructure- $2,558
• Events- $3,239
• Total: $78,895

Previous Form 990s:

2023

2022

2021

2020

The Youth Ambassador Program (YAP) is Rank the Vote Ohio’s leadership initiative designed to empower high school students to advocate for Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in their communities. Participants engage in a structured series of trainings and community-based projects, gaining real-world organizing experience while building a network of youth across the state. The program runs in trimesters, each with a theme with a hands-on project like hosting a party, bake sale, or webinar. Students receive support from a statewide leadership team and can count their work toward volunteer hours and build leadership credentials.

The 2025–26 program will launch statewide, welcoming high schoolers to participate in one or more trimesters throughout the year. Each cohort begins with a virtual training period, followed by a student-led project designed to increase awareness, support, or funding for Ranked Choice Voting. Participants can expect approximately 4-5 hours of work a month. The year will conclude with a statewide Youth Ambassador Convention to meet in person and celebrate the year’s accomplishments.

We are currently seeking Regional Directors for Northeast and Central Ohio, as well as an Outreach Coordinator. You may apply here if interested: https://forms.gle/32j4t4Gy9by4a9ns7

Instagram: @youth4rankedchoice_OH

I support Instant Runoffs with Ranked Choice Ballots in Ohio!

Ranked Choice Voting helps your vote matter. Organizations, policy experts, and political leaders and parties across the spectrum in Ohio have endorsed RCV. Who will endorse next?

*To endorse as an organization or public figure, sign at the bottom of this page or email us at [email protected]. To endorse as a small business owner, please sign here. To endorse as an individual, please sign here. To oppose the RCV Ban Bill, please sign as an individual here or as an organization here.

The following groups and individuals have expressed public support for Instant Runoffs with Ranked Choice Voting:

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik endorsed RCV while on Akron City Council in 2020 and spoke with Rank the Vote Ohio about his support for RCV in 2023.

American Bar Association: The ABA's Task Force for American Democracy has been researching RCV and explained, as of March 2025, that while the ABA has not yet formally endorsed RCV, it published a report concluding: "At a time when political dysfunction and dissatisfaction with the government feel unprecedented (Lawson and Henricksen, 2025), RCV, or runoff elections, stand out as a solution backed by a decent body of research, as well as by voters themselves. This report found that RCV increases voter turnout and does so among both low and high-socioeconomic voters. There is evidence it decreases negative campaigning and can lead to the election of candidates with a broader base of support, including more moderate candidates. It appears to increase the number of candidates running for office (at least for some time) and may produce more diverse candidate pools, which can improve the representation of the public by elected officials. RCV is associated with increased direct campaign contacts (i.e. mobilization) and more satisfaction with democracy. There is evidence it does not appear to confuse voters, though we need to know more about how people search for information. In these ways and others, RCV may help improve US democracy."

American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Kevin Kosar: A proud son of Cuyahoga Falls, Mr. Kosar has written extensively about why conservatives should embrace RCV and spoke with Rank the Vote Ohio in 2023.

American Solidarity Party of Ohio "proudly endorses Rank the Vote Ohio in its efforts to bring a more civil tone, a more diverse slate of candidates, and a more level playing field for third parties to our democracy through ranked choice voting."

Business for America encourages small business owners to endorse RCV because businesses thrive when candidates "focus on problem-solving instead of negative attacks" and when democratic elections systems "reduce polarization and foster a stable policy-making environment in legislative bodies," among other reasons.

Cleveland.com Editorial Board wrote on behalf of The Plain Dealer in support of RCV and in opposition to the Ohio Senate's ban bill.

Cleveland VOTES is a nonpartisan democracy building and mobilizing entity that aims to strengthen civic muscle and power to ensure we have a more informed, participatory, and cohesive community.

Common Cause Ohio testified to the Ohio Senate in support of RCV and in opposition to banning RCV.

Crooked River Action, Summit County's Indivisible group, voted to formally endorse RCV in 2023.

Former Rep. Gene Krebs (R-Preble County)

Former Rep. Sean Logan (D-Columbiana County)

Glass City Humanist promoted RCV in July 2023 and September 2024

GrassRoot Ohio Radio promoted RCV in December 2022 and January 2024

League of Women Voters of Ohio voted during their June 2023 Convention to formally adopt RCV as part of their platform: "In accordance with the League of Women Voters’ position of promoting political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government, the LWVO supports legislation that assures that the candidate preferred by a majority of voters wins the election. Therefore, LWVO supports Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), including instant runoff voting (IRV) for any federal, state or local election as an alternative to plurality elections."

Munroe Falls Council President Ross Widenor: "Ranked Choice Voting is common-sense good governance. Statehouse politicians benefit personally from our current hyper-polarized system, and like the failure that was [August 2023's] Issue 1, they are trying to restrict the voice of the people in government."

National Civic League recommends RCV as a best practice in its model charter.

Ohioans Against Extremism wrote in support of RCV and in opposition to banning RCV.

Ohio Citizen Action: "Ranked choice voting enhances electoral fairness by requiring winning candidates to secure majority support, encouraging broader voter appeal, and fostering a more diverse candidate pool, thus creating a more inclusive and competitive democratic process."

Ohio Democrats (County-Level Only): While the Ohio Democratic Party has not yet promoted a formal position on RCV, several county party chairs and social media accounts have expressed public support for RCV and/or opposition to banning RCV, including Greene County, Scioto County, and Shelby County.

Ohio Environmental Council [Action Fund] testified to the Ohio Senate in support of RCV and in opposition to banning RCV.

Ohio Forward Party promotes RCV as part of the Forward Party Candidate Pledge to "support and strengthen democracy to elevate the voters' voice" including "supporting policies such as nonpartisan and open primaries, ranked choice voting, an end to gerrymandering through solutions such as independent redistricting commissions, and term limits."

Ohio Green Party: "The Green Party seeks to repair our electoral system, from how elections are financed, to conducting them in more fair and representative ways, to ensure accountability and transparency on  all levels of government. We fully support Rank the Vote Ohio to ensure that the eventual winner has majority support and allows voters to express their preferences knowing that supporting their favorite candidate will not inadvertently help their least favorite candidate."

Ohio Libertarians (County-Level Only):While the Libertarian Party of Ohio has not yet promoted a formal position on RCV, several county party chairs and social media accounts have expressed public support for RCV and/or opposition to banning RCV, including the Hamilton County Libertarian Party, which wrote: "We believe that the political party options are too constrained and do not serve the people of Ohio well. The best way to be represented at the ballot box is to avoid simply voting for the lesser of two evils."

Ohio Move to Amend: "Ranked choice voting is a vital step to increasing voter participation, the diversity of candidates, the discussion of issues, and the overall integrity of elections."

Ohio Sustainable Business Council testified to the Ohio Senate in support of RCV and in opposition to banning RCV.

Our Revolution Ohio: "Ranked Choice Voting offers the best opportunity for legitimate change in leadership in this country away from the corruption and 'politics as usual.'"

Principles First Ohio: "At Principles First Ohio, we believe that all Americans can and should play a role in shaping our government, as well as protecting the Constitution and the rule of law. The primary way to do this is by voting. Therefore, we proudly endorse Rank the Vote Ohio and Ranked Choice Voting, which ensures that candidates appeal to a diversity of voters and gives voters more confidence that their votes count."

Senator Casey Weinstein voiced his public support for RCV and voted against banning RCV.

Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio: "Ranked Choice Voting offers a path away from harmful, and often false, binary choices that American voters must typically make. Ohioans deserve the opportunity to vote for the best candidate of their choice, not for the one candidate they dislike the least. Justice is served when our democracy operates in a manner that honors the voices of everyone."

United SHE Stands promoted RCV in its May 2, 2023 episode and has given numerous shoutouts in other episodes.

Veterans for All Voters "is proud to partner with Rank the Vote Ohio to raise awareness about the nonpartisan power of instant runoff voting (IRV). Voters are desperate for real change and more choices in November. IRV delivers by giving all voters more choices. " Instant Runoffs with Ranked Ballots are already used by service members from six states. "It's time we all #VoteLikeVets!"