More Choice. More Voice. A Stronger South Carolina.

South Carolina’s democracy works best when every voter has a real say, not just a narrow slice of the electorate. Better Ballot SC is launching a statewide education campaign leading up to our lobbying day to expand understanding, build momentum, and grow support for Instant Runoff Voting / Ranked Choice Voting (IRV/RCV).

This campaign is about empowering communities, strengthening local leadership, and ensuring our elections reflect the will of the people.

What Is IRV / RCV?

Ranked Choice Voting lets voters rank candidates in order of preference - first choice, second choice, and so on. If no candidate wins a majority, the last-place candidate is eliminated and votes are reallocated until a candidate earns broad support.

The result?

• More positive, issue-focused campaigns
  
• Greater participation and voter confidence
  
• Majority-backed winners
  

IRV/RCV is already working in cities and states across the country and for our overseas military and absentee voters. Now's the time to bring that conversation home to South Carolina.

Why This Matters in 2026

Too many elections are decided by low-turnout runoffs, crowded primaries, or outcomes that don’t reflect the true preferences of voters. IRV/RCV offers a proven alternative. It's an alternative that rewards coalition-building, respects every vote, and gives communities more voice in choosing their leaders.

This education campaign is about meeting people where they are, answering questions, and building the public understanding needed for lasting reform.

Our 2026 Education Campaign

Throughout 2026, Better Ballot SC will:

• Train local leaders and volunteers to explain IRV/RCV clearly and confidently
  
• Support municipal resolutions that signal community readiness for reform
  
• Engage voters across the political spectrum through workshops, events, and conversations
  
• Advocate at the Statehouse for fairer, more representative elections
  
• Equip everyday South Carolinians to talk with friends, family, and neighbors about voting reform
  

This is not a top-down effort. It’s a people-powered movement rooted in education, trust, and local leadership.

A Cross-Partisan, Pro-Democracy Movement

Better Ballot SC brings together Democrats, Republicans, independents, Greens, Libertarians, Forwardists, Alliance Party members, and unaffiliated voters who may disagree on policy, but agree that our democracy should be fair, accessible, and representative.

IRV/RCV isn’t about helping one party. It’s about strengthening the system for everyone.

Get Involved

Real change happens when informed people take action.

Whether you want to:

• Attend a training
  
• Help pass a local resolution
  
• Host a community conversation
  
• Talk to your network about IRV/RCV
  
• Support the campaign financially
  

There’s a role for you in this movement.

Together, we can build a South Carolina where elections reflect the full voice of the people — not just the loudest or most powerful few.

Schedule of events:

• Majority Rules Screening: 
  • Friday January 30, 7pm, Columbia
  • RSVP Today
  • Learn how the instant runoff voting electoral reform has impacted voter choices, primary slates, and general election outcomes in Alaska and elsewhere. This screening will be at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia. There will be a Q&A afterwards to discuss the movement in South Carolina. RSVP for reminders. This version of the film has been updated to include information following the 2024 election.
• How to Pitch IRV/RCV to Friends:
  • Wednesday February 4, 7pm, Virtual
  • RSVP Today
  • Get tips and tools to confidently explain Instant Runoff /Ranked Choice Voting to friends and family and grow support for better elections.

• How to Pass Municipal Resolutions in Your Community:
  • Thursday February 12, 7pm, Virtual
  • RSVP Today
  • Turn support into action! Learn how to pass a municipal resolution for Instant Runoff Voting with clear steps and real examples.

• RCV/IRV 101:
  • Wednesday February 18, 7pm Virtual
  • RSVP Today

• Lobbying Day Trainings:
  • Monday February 23 and Thursday February 26, 7pm, virtual
  • RSVP Today

• Lobbying Day followed by Food and Fellowship:
  • Tuesday March 3, Time: TBD
  • RSVP Today