Arlington County Extends Ranked Choice Voting Pilot Program

In March 2026, the Arlington County Board made a significant decision by unanimously voting to extend its ranked-choice voting (RCV) pilot program for an additional two years.

Arlington, which became the first jurisdiction in Virginia to adopt RCV in 2023, has since implemented it for County Board elections.

While proponents argue that RCV encourages candidates to appeal to a wider base of voters, the system still faces challenges regarding voter education and the potential for confusion.

However, the county plans to upgrade its technology next year, allowing for up to ten ranked choices.

As the county approaches the 2027 general election, which will feature two seats on the ballot, officials plan to form a task force this summer.

The upcoming period is viewed as a crucial buffer to refine outreach strategies before deciding whether to make RCV a permanent fixture in Arlington politics.