Screaming “vote for my preference or else” every election is what got trump elected twice.

The First Past The Post (FPTP) voting system has squashed competition in our elections, resulting in both major political parties being filled with weak individuals. Our people are unrepresented by FPTP voting, thus the large non voter block. Things don’t have to be this way.

States have control over their voting methods, meaning we don’t need to wait a federal miracle. We can change how we vote and make room for third parties without risking a spoiler effect.

Alaska has already taken this step. In fact, Alaska has recently held a referendum on whether to go switch from Ranked Choice Voting back to FPTP, and the referendum was rejected. Republicans were frustrated when Sarah Palin lost to a more moderate conservative under Ranked Choice Voting, but the people of Alaska made their choice—they don’t want FPTP any more. Meanwhile, states controlled by Republicans are passing laws to safeguard FPTP.

So why are Democratic states continuing to use the voting system that Republicans favor? And why are Democrats turning down the potential for more votes from increased voter participation?