Independent Mayoral Candidate Joseph Hernandez Pursues Ranked-Choice Voting for NYC General Election Through Federal Lawsuit
New York, NY – Joseph Hernandez, an independent candidate vying for the office of Mayor of New York City, has initiated a federal lawsuit aimed at implementing ranked-choice voting (RCV) in the city’s upcoming general election. The lawsuit, filed on July 18, 2025, seeks to ensure that New York City voters have the opportunity to utilize this electoral method, which allows them to rank candidates in order of preference.
Ranked-choice voting, also known as instant-runoff voting, is designed to provide a more nuanced and potentially representative outcome in elections. Under RCV, voters rank candidates from first to last choice. If no candidate secures a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed based on the second choices indicated on those ballots. This process continues until one candidate achieves a majority.
Supporters of RCV argue that it can lead to more positive campaigning, as candidates may seek second and third-choice votes from a broader base of voters, rather than solely focusing on energizing their core supporters. It is also seen as a way to avoid “spoiler” effects, where a third-party candidate might draw votes away from a more preferred major-party candidate, inadvertently helping a less preferred candidate win.
The lawsuit filed by Mr. Hernandez underscores his commitment to electoral reform and his belief in the principles of fairness and broader voter engagement. By bringing this matter to federal court, Hernandez aims to establish a legal precedent or mandate for the adoption of RCV in New York City’s general election, potentially influencing future electoral practices within the city.
While New York City has experience with RCV in its primary elections, this lawsuit signifies a push to extend its application to the critical general election. The outcome of this legal challenge could have significant implications for how New York City chooses its elected officials in the future, potentially shaping a more inclusive and representative democratic process. The details of the lawsuit and its legal arguments are expected to unfold in the coming weeks and months.
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PR Newswire Policy Public Interest published ‘INDEPENDENT MAYORAL CANDIDATE JOSEPH HERNANDEZ FILES FEDERAL LAWSUIT TO BRING RANKED-CHOICE VOTING TO NYC’S GENERAL ELECTION’ at 2025-07-18 21:05. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.