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In his tenure as Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau has championed several controversial policies, but perhaps none are as misguided as his advocacy for ranked-choice voting (RCV) as expressed during his recent farewell speech. Despite Trudeau’s declining popularity and questionable track record as a leader, he continues to push ideas that distract from his failures and undermine electoral integrity. Ranked-choice voting may sound appealing on the surface, but its flaws and potential for harm far outweigh any supposed benefits—not just for Canada, but also for the United States.

Americans should take a hard look at the consequences of RCV and Trudeau’s attempts to re-engineer democracy, as these same tactics are already undermining fair elections in the U.S.

Before addressing ranked-choice voting, it’s critical to evaluate the credibility of the man supporting it. Justin Trudeau’s tenure has been marked by scandals, broken promises, and waning public trust. From ethics violations and blackface controversies to the mishandling of key issues like inflation and housing affordability, Trudeau has repeatedly demonstrated an inability to lead effectively. His approval ratings have plummeted, with many Canadians expressing frustration over his lack of accountability and divisive politics.

Given his record, it’s fair to ask why anyone should take Trudeau’s advice on something as crucial as electoral reform. His track record suggests he’s more interested in advancing his political interests than implementing policies that benefit the people. The same question applies to U.S. politicians advocating for RCV. Are they really focused on strengthening democracy, or are they exploiting RCV to solidify their own power?

The disillusioned lie of Ranked-choice voting is marketed as a way to improve democracy by ensuring majority support, but the reality is far more complex and damaging. The system has already caused serious problems here in the United States, serving as a cautionary tale for free and fair elections.

Ranked-choice voting introduces a convoluted process that confuses voters and leads to higher rates of ballot errors. In the U.S., the 2021 New York City mayoral election exposed how RCV creates unnecessary complications. The vote-counting process stretched on for weeks, with officials accidentally releasing incorrect results, shaking public confidence in the electoral process.

Research has shown that voter error and ballot exhaustion (when ballots are discarded because voters don’t rank enough candidates) disproportionately impact minority and low-income communities. In a country as diverse as the U.S., such a system risks disenfranchising already marginalized populations.

Ranked-choice voting often results in candidates winning without a clear mandate. A glaring example occurred in Alaska’s 2022 congressional race, where RCV allowed a candidate with less than 50% of the vote in the first round to win after multiple rounds of ballot redistribution. This process dilutes accountability, as candidates can claim victory without commanding strong support from voters.

RCV entrenches the power of establishment politicians. Which in Trudeau’s case would conveniently have benefited him and his cohorts, while sidelining candidates with dissenting opinions. Here in the U.S., RCV has already shown a tendency to produce “lowest common denominator” candidates diminishing the chance for clear, decisive leadership through majority support.

Implementing ranked-choice voting requires substantial investment in voter education, new ballot designs, and updated vote-counting systems. For example, in Maine, where RCV was adopted statewide, millions were spent on voter education, yet confusion remained high. Delays in election results eroded trust in the process.

Do Americans, or anyone residing in North America really want elections that are more expensive, slower, and harder to understand?

It’s no coincidence that Trudeau expressed support for ranked-choice voting at a time when his popularity is at an all-time low. RCV has a history of favoring candidates who are afraid to represent strong values or options which is perfect for a Prime Minister clinging to relevance. This same motivation can be found in certain American politicians and activists who push for RCV under the guise of “reform” but are actually attempting to manipulate the system to protect their own interests.

The 2021 New York City election and Alaska’s 2022 race demonstrated how RCV is used to produce outcomes that often go against the majority’s initial preferences. The pattern is clear: ranked-choice voting is not about fairness; it’s about insulating politicians from accountability.

Canada and the United States both need strong, transparent electoral systems, not convoluted schemes like ranked-choice voting. In both nations, the focus should be on real issues like economic growth and restoring public trust in institutions. Leaders like Justin Trudeau, who have repeatedly failed to deliver, should not be allowed to rewrite the rules for their own political gain.

Ranked-choice voting is not the solution to the challenges facing democracy. It’s a distraction, and a dangerous one. Trudeau’s advocacy for RCV, combined with its troubling implementation in the U.S., reveals how this system undermines electoral integrity and diminishes voter confidence.

Canada and America must resist the siren song of ranked-choice voting and focus instead on reforms that strengthen democracy, rather than erode it. Don’t let failing leaders like Trudeau set the agenda. Both nations deserve better, and the Voter Reference Foundation will continue to fight against the adoption of this detrimental system here in the United States.