"Scam to rig elections": Tom Cotton fumes over Sarah Palin loss as GOP fans cry "stolen election"

[iemanja]

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., fumed over Alaska's new voter-approved voting system after Democrat Mary Peltola defeated former Republican Gov. Sarah Palin in a special U.S. House election decided by ranked-choice voting.

Peltola, a former state representative, became the first Alaskan Native elected to Congress on Wednesday after edging out Palin 51.5% to 48.5% in a special election to replace the late Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. It was the state's first time using a ranked-choice voting system approved by voters in 2020. Under the rules, which are also used in New York City and other areas, voters can rank candidates in order of preference. If no one reaches 50% of the vote, the last-place candidate is eliminated and their votes are reallocated. The process continues until someone reaches a majority of the votes. . . .

"Ranked-choice voting is a scam to rig elections," Cotton wrote. "60% of Alaska voters voted for a Republican, but thanks to a convoluted process and ballot exhaustion—which disenfranchises voters—a Democrat 'won.'"

Link to tweet

Despite Cotton's complaint, Peltola would have still won under traditional rules because she finished first while the two Republicans split the GOP vote share. Voting rights advocates have largely supported ranked-choice voting because it requires the winner to gain a popular majority while traditional rules could allow more extreme candidates to game the system and win with only a plurality in multi-candidate races.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/scam-to-rig-elections-tom-cotton-fumes-over-sarah-palin-loss-as-gop-fans-cry-stolen-election/ar-AA11mhW8

[RockRaven]

1. Cotton isn't confused/ignorant about how ranked choice voting works. He's a cynical liar.

He is letting everyone know he believes the GrOPer base is confused/ignorant, though.

[TheRealNorth]

2. That didn't take them long

[iemanja]

9. Every election they lose is rigged

They only show their contempt for electoral democracy.

[gratuitous]

3. Do you hold the same opinion about the electoral college, Sen. Cotton?

If not, why not? The will of the majority was thwarted in 2000 and 2016 by that antiquated constitutional relic, and immense harm to our nation ensued each time.

Ranked-choice voting named a winner preferred by the majority of voters; not necessarily as their first choice, but as their secondary choice when their first choice came in lower than second place. Too bad so sad your preferred candidate did not enjoy deep support with the voters, and Alaska gets the voters' preferred Representative now instead of after two or three more expensive and time-consuming ballots.

[thomski64]

5. Looks to me like a lot of Begich voters..

..didn't like Palin for their 2nd choice
either...

[Bok_Tukalo]

4. Arkansas has instant runoff for Military and Overseas ballots

[link:https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/military-and-overseas-citizens|

After the ballot is mailed, the voter can check back on the secure site to track the status of the ballot and confirm when it has been received by their County Clerk.
Because there is not sufficient time after the votes are counted on Election Day to send another absentee ballot to UOCAVA voters, a “Special Runoff Ballot” is provided with the absentee ballot. Complete the special runoff ballot, at the same time as voting your election ballot, and it will be tabulated in the event that there is a runoff election. Indicate your first-choice by marking the number “1” in the space provided beside the candidate’s name, indicate the second choice by marking the number “2” in the space provided beside the candidate’s name, and the third choice by marking the number “3” in the space provided beside the candidate’s name and so on.

Marking a Runoff Ballot
• You may rank only one candidate if you choose.
• Do not mark the same number beside more than one candidate.
• Do not skip numbers.

Your ballot will be counted in the runoff, if there is one, according to the order in which you rank the candidates. Your choice marked “1” will be counted if that candidate makes the runoff. If your first choice does not make the runoff, but your choice marked “2” does, your second choice will be counted, and so on.

[Emile]

6. The last two republican presidents would not agree

with Tom Cotton logic.

[Progressive dog]

7. That is pretty stupid, so it will be convincing to the MAGA party.

Cotton thinks his voters aren't smart enough to leave the second choice blank.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

8. If Kentucky had ranked-choice, we might get rid of Random Piles.