Latest news with #RCV
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Party Primaries Need Ranked Choice Voting
Democratic voters in New Jersey must choose a nominee for governor next week from a crowded and contentious field - and polls show no one truly catching fire. The front-runner polls at about 30% of the vote. At least three other candidates can fairly claim that theyre in second place. Two more appear to have double-digit support. Meanwhile, a quarter of New Jersey Democrats remain undecided - and the race just keeps getting more negative. Its a textbook example of an election that would benefit from ranked choice voting. RCV is the tool that solves precisely this problem: how to determine a majority winner with the strongest support from a field of several candidates. And while 2025 is a quieter election year, well surely see this same problem - with RCV as a clear solution - in dozens of marquee races in 2026, with large candidate fields already forming on both the Republican and Democratic sides to fill open gubernatorial and Senate seats. Voters demand elected officials who are accountable to a majority of us, not just a narrow base. But they also deserve choice, and New Jersey Democrats have a lot of it here. The Garden States gubernatorial field is a deep one with two members of Congress, the mayors of the states two largest cities, a longtime senate president, and a union leader all representing a variety of ideologies and backgrounds. With the June 10 primary fast approaching, several recent polls show that U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill holds the lead - but her advantage differs widely in each, and so does the candidate in second. Emerson shows Sherrill at 28%, and three candidates tied at second with 11% - Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, and U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer. Teachers union leader Sean Spiller and former senate president Steve Sweeney follow close behind. An InsiderNJ poll finds Sherrill with 31%, Baraka at 21%, and Fulop at 19%, with the others closely clustered around 10%. Rutgers found things even tighter: Sherill with 17%, followed by Fulop with 12%, then Spiller at 10%, with Baraka and Gottheimer tied at 9%. Its entirely possible that the "winner" could end up somewhere in the low 30s - meaning nearly 70% of voters preferred someone other than the nominee. What a mess for voters. There are several distinct groupings of candidates, some more moderate, some more progressive, some more inclined to work with the Trump administration and some vowing to fight it. Theyre all dividing the vote. The polls are so scattered as to be no help at all. Voters are stuck trying to guess the strongest among their favorites. But what if there were an election with multiple candidates, satisfied voters, and a united and strong party? Ranked choice voting makes it possible. Instead of voting for just a single candidate, voters have the power to rank the field in order: first, second, third, and so on. If someone wins a majority right away, they win. If no one does, the candidates at the bottom are eliminated. If your candidate is still in the race, your vote stays with them. If theyre knocked out, your vote simply counts for your second choice. The "instant runoff" continues until someone wins 50%. Its a nonpartisan solution that protects choice and majority winners, and puts voters first. Unsurprisingly, its good for parties too: Research shows that candidates who win a majority in their primaries - which RCV delivers - do better in competitive elections. And instead of a brutal campaign leaving bruises and hard feelings, the party is united heading into the fall. Everywhere RCV is used, from Maine to Alaska, from New York City to Utah, voters say that they like it and find it easy to use. Four years ago, Virginia Republicans faced a similar textbook case: a crowded primary for governor, candidates from multiple wings of the party, even the threat of a divisive third-party challenge from one candidate if they didnt win the nomination. The party turned to ranked choice voting to solve this problem. Glenn Youngkin was the majority winner. He had a unified party behind him - and in November, he defeated the former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe (who had trouble unifying Democrats after winning a four-way primary without RCV). If theres one thing voters want more of these days, its choice. Poll after poll finds huge majorities of us frustrated with the candidates were given and longing for more options. But we also need the tools to make the most of greater choice - instead of it causing its own problems, like driving further polarization, frustrating voters, and making our campaign cycles ever more toxic. Ranked choice voting allows lots of choices and majority winners to go hand in hand. In the end, that leads to stronger nominees, more unified parties, and most importantly, more satisfied voters. Meredith Sumpter is president and CEO of FairVote, a nonpartisan organization seeking better elections.
Axios
4 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Denver weighs ranked choice voting for municipal elections
Rank-choice voting is back in the spotlight in Denver. The big picture: Denver City Council members on Monday discussed a proposal to use ranked choice voting for the city's municipal elections. Why it matters: Ranked choice voting (RCV) would upend how voters choose the city's top officials, including mayor and city council members, while proponents say it could save money, increase turnout and make voting simpler. How it works: This system lets voters rank each candidate in order of preference, with the candidate who receives 50% or more of first-choice votes winning. Yes, but: If the 50% threshold isn't met immediately, the tallying repeats until a candidate gets 50% or more of the first-choice votes, creating an "instant runoff." Candidates with the fewest votes are eliminated, and those ballots count toward each voter's next-ranked pick. Between the lines: RCV would eliminate runoff elections, which in Denver occur as separate contests about two months after the initial election. Runoffs come with a roughly $2 million price tag, City Clerk and Recorder Paul López tells us. What they're saying: Councilmember Sarah Parady, who sponsored the RCV measure, said during Monday's meeting that Denver's current spring election may run afoul of a new state voting right's law. The city could face a legal challenge due to lack of racial parity in voter turnout during municipal elections, Parady said. The other side: Councilmember Kevin Flynn said this method can result in reduced voter turnout, noting a downturn in some parts of Portland after introducing RCV last year. While supporters say it can lead to more candidates of color, Councilmember Jamie Torres said she doesn't think this is an issue in Denver, noting the council's historically diverse makeup. The intrigue: López, who oversees city elections, in a letter to council said he's not taking a formal position on ranked choice voting, though he noted the city's election systems are capable of adopting the method. Friction point: Council on Monday also discussed a separate proposal requiring separate ballots for the two at-large seats on the 13-member council — something López in his letter said cannot be implemented simultaneously as ranked choice voting. Flashback: The city briefly used this RCV in the early 1900s before abolishing it in 1935; council briefly reconsidered its use in 2021.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Drones are forcing the Army to rethink its robotic combat vehicles. See the revolutionary prototypes.
The US Army's Robotic Combat Vehicles face uncertainty due to shifting Pentagon priorities. The RCV concept is "incredibly invaluable" but vulnerable to cheap drone attacks, officials say. Four prototypes were developed as part of the Army's future plans for ground robotic systems. Robotic Combat Vehicles were billed as the Army's future frontline — uncrewed, unstoppable, and a revolution for ground warfare. But the future of autonomous light tanks now hangs in the balance as the Army reassesses whether combat vehicles that cost millions of dollars are too vulnerable to swarms of cheap drones. The Army had already begun testing four RCV prototypes when it decided to reevaluate its vision for autonomous ground warfare — Textron's Ripsaw M3, General Dynamics Land Systems' TRX, McQ's WOLF-X, and Oshkosh Defense's RCV. "Here's what we believe is true of today, RCV will stop development," Army Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean wrote in an internal memo sent May 1, per Breaking Defense. "The future of the robotic software program is unknown." Robotic Combat Vehicles Launched in 2019, the RCV program aimed to integrate autonomous and remotely operated capabilities into the Army's ground systems for future combat. The Army initially planned to develop three RCV versions — an expendable light variant, a durable medium variant, and a lethal heavy variant capable of defeating "all known enemy armored vehicles." The Army later deferred development of the medium and heavy variants to focus on just the RCV-L in August 2023. Four companies delivered RCV prototypes to the Army to be selected as "the best of breed" for eventual production. The Army was reportedly expected to award the RCV contract in March 2025, just weeks before Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a directive to transform the service into "a leaner, more lethal force." Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll said the RCV concept is "incredibly important," but recognized that "we keep creating and purchasing these exquisite machines that very cheap drones can take out." In a May 1 memo, Army officials detailed plans to implement the transformation "by infusing technology, cutting obsolete systems, and reducing overhead to defeat any adversary on an ever-changing battlefield." Textron Ripsaw M3 Developed by Texas-based defense tech company Textron Systems, the Ripsaw M3 is an uncrewed ground vehicle designed to adapt to mission-specific capabilities, including reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and direct combat support. Equipped with a hybrid-electric powertrain system, the Ripsaw M3 can reach speeds of over 30 miles per hour with a range of 180 miles. The 18,000-pound RCV has a modular open flat deck spanning 63 square feet and a payload capacity of 5,000 pounds. In early March, multiple outlets reported that Textron Systems was awarded the contract to develop the Army's first RCV, but the service didn't officially confirm the selection. Textron also won the prototyping contract for the RCV-M before the Army solely focused on developing the RCV-L. General Dynamics Land Systems TRX In October, General Dynamics Land Systems delivered an updated version of its Tracked Robot 10-ton (TRX) robotic combat vehicle to the Army for consideration. Originally under consideration to be the RCV-M, the 5-ton UGV can accommodate various payloads weighing over 11,000 pounds, including short-range air defense. It can be remotely controlled or operate with full or semi-autonomy. "The TRX offers an innovative solution for some of the Army's force structure challenges," Scott Taylor, US business development director at GDLS, told Breaking Defense in March 2023, "but also, and more importantly, to address many of the dirty, dull and dangerous missions with a innovative multi-payload capable RCV." McQ WOLF-X With Virginia-based defense tech company McQ as the prime contractor, the WOLF-X prototype was developed in collaboration with HDT Global and BAE Systems. The 8×8 wheeled vehicle is powered by a hybrid diesel/electric powertrain and suspension system designed to adapt to challenging terrains. Purpose-built for the Army's RCV competition, the WOLF-X can be modified to carry an MK44 30mm chain gun and enhanced armor, but can fit inside a CH-47D Chinook heavy-lift helicopter in its base configuration. Oshkosh Defense RCV Wisconsin-based contractor Oshkosh Defense designed its RCV "as a "soldier-centered, purpose-built solution" for a modern battlefield, Pat Williams, Oshkosh Defense chief programs officer, said in a statement. Acting as a scout and escort in a crewed mechanized fleet, the tracked autonomous vehicle features a range of capabilities including electronic warfare, troop support, and counter-drone defense. The modular RCV can accommodate various payloads and advanced weapon systems, from small arms to large caliber cannons. Preparing for a drone war While the RCV program was not explicitly mentioned as one of the Army's "obsolete programs," Driscoll said, after putting the RCV concept to the test, the system proved to be "incredibly valuable, but the actual cost ratio just didn't work." "What we've seen, and this has been seen all over the world, is we keep creating and purchasing these exquisite machines that very cheap drones can take out," Driscoll said during a May 6 episode of the War on the Rocks podcast. He added, "We are the wealthiest nation, perhaps in the history of the world, but even we can't sustain a couple-million-dollar piece of equipment that can be taken out with an $800 drone and munition." Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George said during the podcast that changes are on the horizon, from what military assets the Army plans to invest in, like long-range missiles, to how the service itself is organized. Though the RCV program is in limbo, George added that the service isn't entirely abandoning autonomous systems but is instead considering the "cost curve for us." "If modern technology can give you something that is a 10th of the cost, a 20th of the cost, we shouldn't be locked into buying something that is terribly expensive," George said. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Insider
Drones are forcing the Army to rethink its robotic combat vehicles. See the revolutionary prototypes.
Robotic Combat Vehicles were billed as the Army's future frontline — uncrewed, unstoppable, and a revolution forground warfare. But the future of autonomous light tanks now hangs in the balance as the Army reassesses whether combat vehicles that cost millions of dollars are too vulnerable to swarms of cheap drones. The Army had already begun testing four RCV prototypes when it decided to reevaluate its vision for autonomous ground warfare — Textron's Ripsaw M3, General Dynamics Land Systems' TRX, McQ's WOLF-X, and Oshkosh Defense's RCV. "Here's what we believe is true of today, RCV will stop development," Army Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean wrote in an internal memo sent May 1, per Breaking Defense. "The future of the robotic software program is unknown." Robotic Combat Vehicles Launched in 2019, the RCV program aimed to integrate autonomous and remotely operated capabilities into the Army's ground systems for future combat. The Army initially planned to develop three RCV versions — an expendable light variant, a durable medium variant, and a lethal heavy variant capable of defeating "all known enemy armored vehicles." The Army later deferred development of the medium and heavy variants to focus on just the RCV-L in August 2023. Four companies delivered RCV prototypes to the Army to be selected as "the best of breed" for eventual production. The Army was reportedly expected to award the RCV contract in March 2025, just weeks before Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a directive to transform the service into "a leaner, more lethal force." Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll said the RCV concept is "incredibly important," but recognized that "we keep creating and purchasing these exquisite machines that very cheap drones can take out." In a May 1 memo, Army officials detailed plans to implement the transformation "by infusing technology, cutting obsolete systems, and reducing overhead to defeat any adversary on an ever-changing battlefield." Textron Ripsaw M3 Developed by Texas-based defense tech company Textron Systems, the Ripsaw M3 is an uncrewed ground vehicle designed to adapt to mission-specific capabilities, including reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and direct combat support. Equipped with a hybrid-electric powertrain system, the Ripsaw M3 can reach speeds of over 30 miles per hour with a range of 180 miles. The 18,000-pound RCV has a modular open flat deck spanning 63 square feet and a payload capacity of 5,000 pounds. In early March, multiple outlets reported that Textron Systems was awarded the contract to develop the Army's first RCV, but the service didn't officially confirm the selection. Textron also won the prototyping contract for the RCV-M before the Army solely focused on developing the RCV-L. General Dynamics Land Systems TRX In October, General Dynamics Land Systems delivered an updated version of its Tracked Robot 10-ton (TRX) robotic combat vehicle to the Army for consideration. Originally under consideration to be the RCV-M, the 5-ton UGV can accommodate various payloads weighing over 11,000 pounds, including short-range air defense. It can be remotely controlled or operate with full or semi-autonomy. "The TRX offers an innovative solution for some of the Army's force structure challenges," Scott Taylor, US business development director at GDLS, told Breaking Defense in March 2023, "but also, and more importantly, to address many of the dirty, dull and dangerous missions with a innovative multi-payload capable RCV." McQ WOLF-X With Virginia-based defense tech company McQ as the prime contractor, the WOLF-X prototype was developed in collaboration with HDT Global and BAE Systems. The 8×8 wheeled vehicle is powered by a hybrid diesel/electric powertrain and suspension system designed to adapt to challenging terrains. Purpose-built for the Army's RCV competition, the WOLF-X can be modified to carry an MK44 30mm chain gun and enhanced armor, but can fit inside a CH-47D Chinook heavy-lift helicopter in its base configuration. Oshkosh Defense RCV Wisconsin-based contractor Oshkosh Defense designed its RCV "as a "soldier-centered, purpose-built solution" for a modern battlefield, Pat Williams, Oshkosh Defense chief programs officer, said in a statement. Acting as a scout and escort in a crewed mechanized fleet, the tracked autonomous vehicle features a range of capabilities including electronic warfare, troop support, and counter-drone defense. The modular RCV can accommodate various payloads and advanced weapon systems, from small arms to large caliber cannons. Preparing for a drone war While the RCV program was not explicitly mentioned as one of the Army's "obsolete programs," Driscoll said, after putting the RCV concept to the test, the system proved to be "incredibly valuable, but the actual cost ratio just didn't work." "What we've seen, and this has been seen all over the world, is we keep creating and purchasing these exquisite machines that very cheap drones can take out," Driscoll said during a May 6 episode of the War on the Rocks podcast. He added, "We are the wealthiest nation, perhaps in the history of the world, but even we can't sustain a couple-million-dollar piece of equipment that can be taken out with an $800 drone and munition." Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George said during the podcast that changes are on the horizon, from what military assets the Army plans to invest in, like long-range missiles, to how the service itself is organized. Though the RCV program is in limbo, George added that the service isn't entirely abandoning autonomous systems but is instead considering the " cost curve for us." "If modern technology can give you something that is a 10th of the cost, a 20th of the cost, we shouldn't be locked into buying something that is terribly expensive," George said.
Boston Globe
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
The debate over ranked-choice voting in Boston is more than just academic
Send questions or suggestions to . To subscribe, . TODAY'S STARTING POINT If a coalition of activists and the Boston City Council get their way, 'Who did you vote for?' may soon become a trickier question to answer in Boston. And that's on purpose. Last week, the City Council Advocates say RCV gives voters more choices and encourages candidates to earn broader support. New York City; Burlington, Vt., and other municipalities Advertisement But not everyone is persuaded. Some lawmakers and political scientists question the benefits of RCV. Others worry that it will make elections more complicated for voters to participate in and for the city to run. Today's newsletter explains the debate. Advertisement Advocates' case For its supporters, the benefits of RCV flow from its design. By letting voters pick whom they want most while also signaling who should get their support if that candidate doesn't win, RCV lets voters better express their preferences. People can cast ballots for third-party or independent candidates without worrying that their vote will be wasted — or worse, hand the election to a candidate they dislike. 'The biggest gain is that folks aren't feeling like they're left out,' said Edwyn Shoemaker, who runs Ranked Choice Boston, a coalition that advocated for the measure. Voter turnout in municipal elections in Boston, as in most cities, tends to be low. But people who believe their vote matters are more likely to show up to cast it, Shoemaker argues. He cited Boston municipal elections are technically nonpartisan, without a candidate's party affiliation listed on the ballot. Shoemaker thinks RCV can reduce polarization even more by giving candidates a reason to compete for voters outside their normal bases of support. It might even incentivize them to campaign more civilly, lest they alienate a rival's supporters who might otherwise rank them second or third. Criticisms Critics say RCV's advocates overstate its benefits, which can vary depending on the kind of election in which it's used. In a statewide race for president, for example, RCV might well prevent a third-party candidate from handing the election to a Democrat over a Republican, or vice versa. But implementing it for municipal races to elect what's currently an all-Democratic city council might not change much. Most of the current district councilors won their seats with majorities of the vote, suggesting broad support even absent RCV. (RCV would work slightly differently for at-large city council seats, with a lower threshold for victory.) And in RCV elections elsewhere, the candidate with a plurality in the first round Advertisement Other critics say RCV imagines an idealized electorate that doesn't really exist. Yes, many people know which candidates they prefer or do research before deciding whom to support. But expecting most voters to parse the sometimes-minute differences among candidates for local seats in a majority-Democratic city strains credulity, said Eitan Hersh, a Tufts political scientist. 'It's sort of like if I asked you, 'What's your favorite ice cream flavor?'' Hersh said. 'And then instead of that, I said, 'Okay, now you have to rank-order all the ice cream flavors.' It's kind of hard.' Ranked-choice ballots also tend to be more complicated and time-consuming to fill out, and complexity breeds mistakes. According to Some critics also think RCV will burden Boston's already strained election system. Councilor Ed Flynn Advertisement The context In between the advocates and critics are the ambivalent. Lee Drutman, a voting reform expert at New America, a Washington think tank, is in that camp. Once an RCV evangelist, he's come to Does that mean the debate doesn't matter? The passions on both sides may instead reflect a more troubling phenomenon: growing dissatisfaction with American democracy. As voters become more pessimistic about the country's bitter partisan divides, some have evidently latched onto changes they hope will improve things — even if the evidence is mixed. 'People are looking for electoral reform,' Drutman said. 'RCV has caught on for particular reasons. But is it actually transformative enough to change the fundamentals of the system?' 🧩 6 Across: POINTS OF INTEREST The scene of a fatal accident in Hyde Park in April in which a school bus struck and killed a 5-year-old boy. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Boston and New England Karen Read: Read's lawyer pressed a digital forensics examiner on his credentials Verdict: A jury convicted a former high school basketball coach in Rhode Island of misdemeanor battery for Settlement: The MBTA Crash data: Fatal incidents involving school buses, like the one that killed a 5-year-old boy last month, Retail reclamation: Macy's is closing 150 stores nationwide. Downtown Boston's may survive Trump administration Congresswoman charged: The Justice Department said it was charging Representative LaMonica McIver, a New Jersey Democrat, with assaulting a police officer near an ICE facility this month. McIver called the charges political. ( Jan. 6 settlement: The administration agreed to pay Ashli Babbitt's family about $5 million after a Capitol police officer defending lawmakers fatally shot her during the riot. ( Take It Down Act: Trump signed a bipartisan bill meant to prevent the dissemination of non-consensual intimate images, including deepfakes and revenge porn. ( Trump's agenda: Republicans claim they're cutting Medicaid fraud to pay for Trump's tax cuts. But in Massachusetts, fraud Free press: CBS News' president resigned after opposing the company's efforts to settle Trump's lawsuit against '60 Minutes.' ( Red tape: New England fisherman blame bureaucracy for hurting their industry. They're The Nation and the World Joe Biden's cancer: The former president's diagnosis underscores that cancers can pop up suddenly even among those with excellent health care. ( Diddy trial: Witnesses testified that music mogul Sean Combs controlled and assaulted his longtime girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie Ventura. ( Mending ties: The UK and the European Union struck a deal that covers trade, energy, and more. It's their biggest relationship reset since Brexit. ( BESIDE THE POINT By Teresa Hanafin 💍 The Big Day: They dated for four years before going their separate ways — only to reconnect in Savannah for a 🚗 Timing is everything: AAA predicts that 28,000 more people will drive on Mass. roads over the holiday weekend than last year. Here are the best times to travel from Thursday through Monday. ( Advertisement 🌸 Floriferous: It was a banner year for hydrangeas in 2024, and while this year's blooms may not be as spectacular, they will be quite nice. 👶🏼 Robbing the cradle: It's not just men who like dating younger partners. Turns out women are attracted to younger men, according to a recent study. ( 🏠 People pleasers: If you're selling your home this spring, there are seven things that homebuyers really want and I have to say, a clean crawl space was not on my dance card. ( 📥 RTO or WFH? Workers in some cities have been quick to return to offices; others are among the slowest. Boston's on one of those lists. ( 🥺 Living with guilt: Being the person who accidentally causes another's death can lead to a lifetime of grief. But there are resources to help. ( Thanks for reading Starting Point. This newsletter was edited and produced by ❓ Have a question for the team? Email us at ✍🏼 If someone sent you this newsletter, you can 📬 Delivered Monday through Friday. Ian Prasad Philbrick can be reached at
