Voter Information Search and Ranked Choice Voting

Abstract

Does ranked choice voting (RCV) change the information search behavior of voters? I present a theory, consistent with past work on voter behavior and information, which shows that (1) RCV is a more complex informational environment than typical single preference voting, which then predicts that (2) voters should be motivated to search for and retain more information on the candidates, and particularly on non-copartisans. This change in behavior should correspond to an increase in the cost of voting. I design a survey experiment to test this theory on a nationally diverse sample of U.S. adults, and a follow-up survey with bonus incentives to add to the robustness of the results. Results indicate that voters do not adapt their information search and retention behaviors, nor do they spend more cognitive effort in the process of voting. The results are particularly important in the context of the rapid expansion of RCV.