What's the 411 on Ranked Choice Voting in New York City? The voting style was introduced in 2021 and while NYC is hardly the first city to the game, it's by far the largest voting population to use it. Over fifty cities use RCV in local elections, along with the states of Alaska and Maine. With the 2023 municipal primary election underway here in NYC, we wanted to circle back to RCV with a refresher on how it works and clarify some misconceptions. Host Melissa Saenz Gordon speaks with Turquoise Baker, an analyst of the Campaign Finance Board who has been conducting RCV workshops ahead of this primary election, about how RCV operates in NYC (specifically) and some pros and cons of the system. Before that, the Soft Power Vote team, Glenn Robinson and Molly Salas, discuss what's unique about this election cycle while tabling and handing out voter guides at the 31st Ave Open Street in Astoria on June 18th. As of Monday, June 19th, less than 15,000 people had voted early in the primary election. 

Soft Power Vote is an independent voter education project founded by three New Yorkers who wanted more out of the voting process. We make voter guides and demystify politics so it's easier to understand. Use our voter guide for the 2023 primary! Follow us on Instagram @SoftPowerVote. Let's level up!

This episode was written, edited, and produced by Melissa Saenz Gordon.  Theme music by Mmeadows.

Do you live in New York? Voter? Neither are required to listen to this podcast, but may help! This season will revisit ranked choice voting (it's back!) and other pressing issues we find entertaining (or limiting!) about the NYC political process.

Level Up is a podcast by Soft Power Vote. We make voter guides for NYC. Check us out on Instagram @SoftPowerVote