The Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center (RCVRC) is an advocacy organization that supports adoption of ranked-choice voting systems nationwide. It is a project of the Election Administration Resource Center (EARC), a North Carolina-based nonprofit. ¹

Activities

In June 2023, it was reported that the Virginia Department of Elections (ELECT) and the Virginia State Board of Elections were working with RCVRC to develop ranked choice voting (RCV) software for future state elections, despite a Republican-held majority within both groups. According to the State Board of Elections, ELECT had purchased the use of Universal RCV Tabulator (RCTab), or RCV software developed by RCVRC, in January 2023, “for the proper administration of elections determined by RCV.” ²

Financials

The RCVRC was started in 2019 through an $850,000 donation from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Sheldon Kaphan Foundation. RCVRC received an additional $1 million donation from The Hewlett Foundation in 2022. The RCVRC also received a $500,000 donation from grantmaking company Arnold Ventures as well as further donations from Super PAC Unite America and a $250,000 grant in 2021 from Unite America Institute. In addition, RCVRC is listed as a collaborator with election policy organization Center for Civic Design. ^{3 4}

Leadership

Rosemary F. Blizzard is the executive director for RCVRC since March 2023 when she replaced RCVRC founder Gary Bartlett. Prior to RCVRC, she was the Director of Elections for Wayne County, North Carolina. She also served as Voting Registration Director and District Elections Technician for the North Carolina State Board of Elections from 2004-2011. ^{5 6}

Gary Bartlett is the founder and former executive director for RCVRC, being replaced by Rosemary F. Blizzard in March 2023. Prior to this, he served as executive director for the North Carolina Board of Elections from 1993 until 2013. As of 2023, he is listed as an independent consultant for several organizations including non-profit FairVote. ^{7 8}

1. Ludwig, Hayden. “VIRGINIA REPUBLICANS GO ROGUE, ADOPT RANKED-CHOICE VOTING ON THE SLY—WITH ACTIVIST SUPPORT.” Restoration News, June 13, 2023. https://www.restorationofamerica.com/restoration-news/eric/virginia-republicans-go-rogue-adopt-ranked-choice-voting-on-the-sly-with-activist-support/
2. Ludwig, Hayden. “VIRGINIA REPUBLICANS GO ROGUE, ADOPT RANKED-CHOICE VOTING ON THE SLY—WITH ACTIVIST SUPPORT.” Restoration News, June 13, 2023. https://www.restorationofamerica.com/restoration-news/eric/virginia-republicans-go-rogue-adopt-ranked-choice-voting-on-the-sly-with-activist-support/
3. Ludwig, Hayden. “VIRGINIA REPUBLICANS GO ROGUE, ADOPT RANKED-CHOICE VOTING ON THE SLY—WITH ACTIVIST SUPPORT.” Restoration News, June 13, 2023. https://www.restorationofamerica.com/restoration-news/eric/virginia-republicans-go-rogue-adopt-ranked-choice-voting-on-the-sly-with-activist-support/
4. “Ranked choice voting.” Center for Civic Design, Accessed June 14, 2023. https://civicdesign.org/topics/rcv/
5. Ludwig, Hayden. “VIRGINIA REPUBLICANS GO ROGUE, ADOPT RANKED-CHOICE VOTING ON THE SLY—WITH ACTIVIST SUPPORT.” Restoration News, June 13, 2023. https://www.restorationofamerica.com/restoration-news/eric/virginia-republicans-go-rogue-adopt-ranked-choice-voting-on-the-sly-with-activist-support/
6. “Rosemary F. Blizzard – Executive Director.” Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center, Accessed June 14, 2023. https://www.rcvresources.org/rosemary-blizzard
7. Ludwig, Hayden. “VIRGINIA REPUBLICANS GO ROGUE, ADOPT RANKED-CHOICE VOTING ON THE SLY—WITH ACTIVIST SUPPORT.” Restoration News, June 13, 2023. https://www.restorationofamerica.com/restoration-news/eric/virginia-republicans-go-rogue-adopt-ranked-choice-voting-on-the-sly-with-activist-support/
8. “Gary Bartlett Bio.” Duke University, Accessed June 14, 2023. https://sites.duke.edu/pjms364s_01_s2016_bartlettvotingpolitics/gary-bartlett-bio/