Democrats are exploring a a potential revolution in presidential primary voting after the swift and decisive rise of New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
Party leaders are exploring a potential revolution in presidential primary voting by considering ranked-choice voting for the 2028 election cycle, with DNC Chair Ken Martin and other top officials holding private meetings with advocates to discuss implementing this alternative voting method, reported Axios.
“Supporters of the change — which would allow voters to rank candidates in order of preference — told those at a DNC breakfast gathering in D.C. that it would strengthen and unite the party,” Axios reported. “They said it would prevent people’s votes from being ‘wasted’ after presidential candidates drop out, and encourage coalition-building among contenders — an attention-grabbing pitch in light of the party’s divisive primaries in 2016 and 2020.”
Key proponents like Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and pollster Celinda Lake argue that ranked-choice voting could transform the primary process, but the proposal has generated mixed reactions within the Democratic National Committee.
“It favors positive politics rather than negative politics, and that’s a great thing for the Democratic Party primaries,” Raskin told Axios. “Oftentimes there’s a sense of acrimony and bitterness that can last decades. Think about the race between Hillary and Bernie Sanders.”
Some members expressed openness to the concept, but others remain skeptical about its practical implementation, pointing to potential logistical challenges, including increased polling times and potential complications in vote counting.
Implementing ranked-choice voting would require significant hurdles, the report added. The DNC would need approval from its rules and bylaws committee, a majority vote from its 450-member body, and consent from state parties. Additionally, many states would need to amend existing election laws to accommodate the new voting system.
“We should follow the lead of the states,” said a skeptical DNC member. “They know better.”
Several states, including Alaska and Maine, and cities like Minneapolis and San Francisco have already adopted ranked-choice voting, which Lake argued could transform candidate selection.
“It gives a better chance to new faces, outsider candidates, people with grassroots movements, people who run positive campaigns, people who have something new to offer,” Lake said. “It really meets the moment.”
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