ICYMI: UpVote Virginia Statement on the July 15 Arlington County Board Meeting
July 15, 2023
Executive Director Liz White urges the Board to “build on the positive momentum
of the June primaries and commit to using RCV in the future.”
ARLINGTON, VA – Earlier today, the Arlington County Board held its first meeting since the June 20 primaries, Virginia’s first Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) election that was overseen by the Department of Elections.
This pilot program was the result of many months of advocacy by a coalition of nonpartisan democracy reform organizations, and the ordinance’s patron, former Board Chair Katie Cristol. The resolution was passed unanimously in December 2022.
At Saturday’s meeting, members of the Board spoke positively of how the RCV election was administered by Director of Elections Gretchen Reinemeyer, and made it clear that they are leaving the door open to using RCV in 2024 and beyond, citing the need for further voter education.
Board Chair Christian Dorsey said, “I absolutely think it’s important for the County Board to do this again for primaries next year…as soon as possible, we should commit to doing this again for next primary season and perhaps next general election when our community education can be more consistent.”
Matt deFerranti agreed with Dorsey, saying, “I am fully supportive of moving in this direction.”
“I can’t imagine a different way to do a Democratic primary again after this. Period,” said Takis Karantonis. “I am absolutely certain that we’ll get there.”
“This isn’t ‘no’ forever,” said Board Member Libby Garvey.
UpVote Executive Director Liz White released the following statement after the meeting:
“The last year has been incredibly positive for Ranked Choice Voting in Virginia, and Arlingtonians should be proud to be the first locality to move forward with an RCV election that was not only administered without a hitch, but popular with voters as well.
Arlington’s experiment with RCV was a success every step of the way. The pilot program was approved unanimously in December, it was implemented without any complaints on Election Day, and voters indicated in the countywide survey that they supported using it permanently as a result.
Further, we completely agree with the members of the Board who praised the Registrar’s Office, and with those who signaled their support to use RCV in 2024 and beyond. We are appreciative and excited to continue working with them moving forward.
Now it’s time for the Board to build on the positive momentum of the June primaries and commit to using RCV in the future.”
Liz White also testified before the Board, and her entire remarks can be found here.
UpVote Virginia is a registered 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating the voices of Virginia voters through nonpartisan education, advocacy, and grassroots engagement. As a democracy reform collective, UpVote Virginia will focus on multiple issues related to making our elections stronger and more equitable, including its first flagship issue: Ranked Choice Voting. Learn more at UpVoteVA.org.
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