Virginia Lawmakers Debate Ranked-Choice Voting Options

Allowing for 'consensus choice' could improve ranked-choice voting in the commonwealth, expert says.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Virginia lawmakers are considering expanding the use of ranked-choice voting in local elections, but a column by Carah Ong Whaley of Better Choices for Democracy argues that the proposed legislation, House Bill 630, should avoid locking the state into just one particular counting method known as 'instant runoff voting.' Whaley suggests lawmakers should also explicitly allow for a 'consensus choice' method that uses head-to-head comparisons between candidates rather than an elimination process, as this can better reflect overall voter preferences.

Why it matters

Allowing for multiple counting methods for ranked-choice voting, including consensus choice, could make the system more fair, representative, and accountable. Head-to-head counting rewards broad candidate support and is easier to audit, while instant runoff voting can sometimes produce results that don't align with overall voter preferences.

The details

House Bill 630 currently defines ranked-choice voting as only the instant runoff voting method, which eliminates candidates in rounds until one reaches a threshold. Whaley argues lawmakers should define ranked-choice voting by the ballot format itself, not a specific counting algorithm, and authorize multiple tabulation methods including consensus choice. This head-to-head comparison approach evaluates each candidate directly against every other, rewarding broad support rather than a narrow base.

  • Virginia lawmakers are currently debating House Bill 630, which would expand the use of ranked-choice voting in local elections.

The players

Carah Ong Whaley

Executive director of Better Choices for Democracy and a lecturer in the Department of Politics at the University of Virginia.

House Bill 630

Legislation being considered by Virginia lawmakers that would broaden the use of ranked-choice voting in local elections.

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What they’re saying

“Giving voters a more expressive ballot is the innovation. The rule used to interpret voter preferences is a consequential policy choice.”

— Carah Ong Whaley, Executive director, Better Choices for Democracy (pilotonline.com)

“Head-to-head counting rewards broad acceptance. Because every matchup can matter, candidates have reason to seek support beyond a narrow base rather than write off large blocs of voters.”

— Carah Ong Whaley, Executive director, Better Choices for Democracy (pilotonline.com)

What’s next

The Virginia General Assembly will continue debating House Bill 630 and whether to authorize multiple counting methods for ranked-choice voting, including consensus choice, as the legislation moves forward.

The takeaway

Giving voters more options to express their preferences through ranked-choice voting is a positive step, but the specific counting method used is also crucial. Allowing for consensus choice alongside instant runoff voting could make the system more fair, representative, and accountable in Virginia.