Maryland’s primary results prove it’s time for ranked choice voting

In all but two counties in this year's primaries, there were races decided by a plurality vote, sending winners to the general with less than majority support and leaving a majority of voters disappointed. It's time for ranked choice voting, writes Mike Pellittierre.

By: Mike Pellittiere

Outlets: Maryland Matters

Published: August 17, 2026

Words: 842

Last Updated: 1 day, 21 hours ago

Body Text Preview

This primary season, I, like many independents, affiliated with the Democratic Party just so I could vote in the primary – the election that picks the vast majority of winners in Maryland since most voting districts, from local to federal, are not competitive. While I support opening the primaries, this is not about that.

I live in Maryland’s 5th Congressional District where an overwhelming 24 candidates were on the ballot. Unfortunately, I know that my …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us