Ranking Candidates in Local Elections: Neither Panacea nor Catastrophe for Candidates of Color

Abstract Electoral rules can affect who wins and loses elections. Most cities select office holders through plurality rule, but an alternative, ranked-choice voting (RCV), has become increasingly popular. RCV requires voters to rank candidates, instead of simply selecting their most preferred candidate. Observers debate whether will cure a variety electoral ills or undermine representation. We test the effect on voter’s choices perceptions representation using survey experiments with large, representative samples respondents. find that candidates color are significantly penalized in both elections, no significant difference between rule types. However, providing respondents candidates’ partisan affiliation increases support for color.