The Brian Lehrer Show Previewing the Results of Ranked Choice Voting
Jul 1, 2025
Steven Romalewski, the Director of CUNY Mapping Service, shares his insights into ranked choice voting in New York City. He discusses the exciting unpredictability of voter behavior and the potential impacts on election outcomes. The episode explores the mechanics of vote redistribution and candidate elimination, shedding light on how second-choice votes can alter results. Romalewski also looks ahead to the implications for future elections, including a hypothetical examination of Andrew Cuomo's prospects under this new voting system.
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Ranked Choice Voting Rounds Explained
- Ranked choice voting rounds are elimination steps where candidates with the fewest votes are removed and their votes reallocated.
- All low-vote candidates can be eliminated in one batch if it doesn't affect the final outcome, speeding up results.
Why Ranked Choice Is Primary-Only
- Ranked choice voting in NYC is used only in primaries due to many candidates and more choice needs.
- General elections typically have two candidates, making ranked choice voting less necessary there.
Cuomo's Mathematical Win Possibility
- Although highly unlikely, Andrew Cuomo could still win if he gains more second-choice votes than Mamdani from eliminated candidates.
- Most indications suggest Mamdani will increase his lead due to candidate coalitions and voter preferences.