A new task force is looking at bringing ranked choice voting to Connecticut. It’s a system where voters rank candidates on the ballot, instead of picking just one.

The panel is looking to other states for ideas. But here in Connecticut, many voters still aren’t sold.

On Election Day, ever have trouble picking someone?

“I don’t think we always have the best selection to choose from,” said Will Schwartzstein, of Norwalk.

That’s where ranked choice voting comes in. When you cast a ballot, you list your first choice – followed by a second, third, etc... If your top pick doesn’t get enough support, they are eliminated, and your vote goes to your No. 2 selection. That keeps happening until someone hits 50% and is declared the winner.

Supporters call it an “instant runoff.”

A new working group, appointed by Gov. Ned Lamont, is exploring whether ranked choice could work for primaries and local elections, which tend to have multiple candidates.

The change could have a big impact. In 2018, Bob Stefanowski became the Republican candidate for governor – despite only receiving 29% of the vote in a crowded, five-person primary.

“Ranked-choice voting is gaining in popularity across the country, but its pros and cons really haven’t been explored in Connecticut,” said the panel’s co-chair, state Sen. Cathy Osten (D-Sprague).

The task force is hearing from other places that already use ranked choice balloting. In New York City, it has led to more turnout and more diverse candidates since launching three years ago.

“RCV helped us elect more women to public office, which is a longstanding professional and personal interest of mine,” former New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito told the group recently.

But there are drawbacks. In the 2021 mayoral primary, final results took more than a week, leading to confusion and speculation.

Here in Connecticut, some voters think it’s too complicated.

“If someone falls off, then I have to reevaluate the whole person again – the second choice or the third choice,” said John Wooten, of Stamford.

Many Republicans oppose ranked choice voting, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. But a top Republican in Virginia told the group that ranked choice voting actually “saved the Virginia GOP” by helping a divided party unify around Youngkin at their convention. Youngkin went on to become the first Republican to win statewide office in 12 years.

“Out of the tens of thousands of ballots that were counted – the tens of thousands of times they were counted and looked at – the challenges were diminimous,” said former Virginia Del. Chris Saxman. “There were zero to no complaints.”

Lamont’s Ranked Choice Voting Working Group has until the end of this year to make recommendations to the General Assembly.