How would the NYC primary looked different if it wasn't ranked choice. I not sure it actually matters for single seat elections. If you don't rank either of the top 2 candidates it's like your vote won't matter anyways.

[–] quarrk@hexbear.net 4 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Believe it or not but there are many people who would have voted for both Mamdani and Cuomo. They just would rank Cuomintang #1 because they’re sus of a brown person supporting Palestine, but they like Mamdani’s smile so they give him a #2 anyway.

Single choice elections give outsized influence on single issues and make it easier to manipulate the discussion one way or another. All you have to do is build a narrative that Mamdani = bad economics, Mamdani = jihadist, etc. and suddenly his polling collapses even if nobody particularly dislikes him. People are less willing to take a chance if they feel like they can make only one selection.

[–] YEP@hexbear.net 1 points 1 day ago

I think you are looking at past data points from a political system/politicians that dont bother trying to shape the narrative. I think the real thing I hope the Dems take away from this is just believe in something. The top issue according to polling on February was crime. By election time the entire conversation was about different aspects of cost of living transit ect. The ability for zohrans campaign to focus in and change the entire issue slate. From fake crime panic or some other fake wedge issue to something real is something no politician besides Bernie and zohran have done in my lifetime.