UpVote VA Testimony to arlington County Board

March 14, 2026

Mr. Chair, Members of the Board, good morning.

My name is Liz White, and I’m the Executive Director of UpVote Virginia. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you again today.

Arlington has been a true pioneer for ranked choice voting in Virginia. When the General Assembly first authorized localities to pilot ranked choice voting, Arlington stepped forward with a thoughtful, deliberate approach. You have carefully tested the system, engaged voters, worked closely with your incredible team of election officials, and made consistent progress to ensure the process worked for your community.

That leadership matters. Because of Arlington, localities across Virginia now have several real examples of how ranked choice voting can be successfully implemented.

Arlington is also engaged in an important, ongoing conversation about the structure of its local government and how best to ensure representation and accountability for the community’s future. As that conversation continues, we look forward to ranked choice voting being part of that discussion. RCV is a flexible tool that can support a variety of electoral structures while ensuring voters have meaningful choice and majority-supported outcomes.

By making ranked choice voting permanent for County Board elections, Arlington can build on the careful work you’ve already done. You can provide long-term certainty for voters and election administrators, while continuing to demonstrate what thoughtful election innovation looks like in Virginia.

Arlington has led the way before. Today, you have the opportunity to affirm that leadership and ensure this successful reform continues to serve your voters.

On behalf of UpVote Virginia and the many Arlington residents who support ranked choice voting, I urge you to make the use of ranked choice voting permanent for County Board elections.

Thank you for your time and for your continued leadership.