The upcoming special primary in Ramsey County to fill Kaohly Her’s vacated seat isn’t just another local election—it’s a stark reminder of Minnesota’s outdated electoral system that desperately needs modernization. With six DFL candidates competing in a winner-take-all primary, the victor could potentially advance with just 20-25% of the vote, hardly a mandate from constituents. This fractured process highlights the critical need for ranked-choice voting and other electoral reforms that would better represent voters’ preferences and strengthen our democratic institutions.
Low-Turnout Special Elections Undermine Democratic Representation
Special elections consistently suffer from abysmal voter participation. When Mayor Her vacated her seat after winning the mayoral race, she triggered a process that will likely see fewer than 15% of eligible voters determining who represents District 64A. This isn’t merely disappointing—it’s a fundamental failure of representative democracy. During the 2021 special election in House District 60A, voter turnout plummeted to just 11.8% compared to over 70% in the general election. The timing of this primary—during the busy holiday season on December 16—further exacerbates this problem, virtually guaranteeing that an unrepresentative slice of the electorate will select the DFL candidate.
The consequences extend beyond mere statistics. Elected officials who secure their positions through low-turnout special elections often lack the broad mandate needed to effectively represent diverse constituencies. The resulting representation gap disproportionately impacts working-class residents, communities of color, and younger voters who face greater barriers to participation in off-cycle elections.
The Crowded Field Problem Demands Ranked-Choice Solutions
With six DFL candidates competing for a single nomination, the mathematical reality becomes troubling. The winner could theoretically advance with just 17% of the vote if support splits evenly—hardly a resounding endorsement from the district. More realistically, someone will likely advance with 25-30% support, meaning roughly 70% of primary voters preferred someone else. This plurality-wins system creates perverse incentives for candidates to appeal to narrow bases rather than building broad coalitions.
Minneapolis and St. Paul have already implemented ranked-choice voting for municipal elections, demonstrating its feasibility and benefits. When St. Paul used ranked-choice voting in the recent mayoral election that Her won, voters could express their full preference order without fear of
