What are the downsides of ranked choice voting?

"While ranked choice voting (RCV) has many potential benefits, there are also some potential downsides to consider:

1. Complexity: RCV can be more complex for voters to understand compared to traditional first-past-the-post voting systems. This may lead to confusion, longer ballot counts, and increased potential for errors.
2. Voter fatigue: Asking voters to rank a large number of candidates may be daunting and lead to voter fatigue, potentially resulting in incomplete ballots or lower voter turnout.
3. Potential for spoilers: While RCV can reduce the effects of vote splitting, it can also create a different type of spoiler effect. For example, a third-party candidate with a small but passionate following could end up playing a spoiler role by siphoning votes away from a major party candidate who would have otherwise won.
4. Technical challenges: RCV can present technical challenges for election administrators, such as the need for specialized voting equipment and software, as well as more complex ballot designs and counting methods.
5. Limited use: RCV is not yet widely used in the United States and other countries, which can limit public familiarity and understanding of the system.

It's worth noting that many of these potential downsides can be mitigated with effective education and outreach efforts, as well as careful planning and implementation by election officials. Ultimately, whether the benefits of RCV outweigh the potential downsides will depend on the specific context and goals of the election system in question." -ChatGPT