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Why Pick Just 1? Ranked Choice Voting

September 30, 2025 · 49:06

Suzan and Jaime have a conversation with Michelle Whittaker, Executive Director of Ranked Choice Voting Maryland. Michelle sheds light on what ranked-choice voting is, how it works, and addresses criticisms of this voting method. With the potential for building consensus in a time of great division, this might be a topic worth your time.

Ranked Choice Voting Maryland: https://www.rcvmd.org/
Google "ranked choice voting npr" for a variety of reporting on this topic.

Paris Baguette on Gibbs Street in Town Square
Eat a Lao in the Sunshine Square Shopping Center
Arepatecha on Fishers Lane across from the Trek store, adjacent to Twinbrook Metro parking lot.
Gilly's on Chapman Avenue -- if you know you know, if you don't know you should go there!

Creators and Guests

Host

Jaime Espinosa

Jaime moved to Rockville in 2013 after separating from Active Duty; he is still an Air Force reservist. He is an attorney and in his civilian career he works for the federal government, with his office located right in Rockville. He lives with his wife and daughter in Twinbrook. When not shuttling his daughter from softball practice, to karate class, or to a swim lesson, you can likely find him at one of the local pickleball courts in the area, as he is an avid (yet surprisingly still mediocre) player.

Host

Suzan Pitman

Suzan is in her "second act" as a non-profit director after a career in the Texas public school system (she might never recover). Suzan and her husband, David, and their son, Matthew, moved to Rockville from New Braunfels, Texas in 2013 and have made East Rockville their forever home.

Guest

Michelle Whittaker

Michelle is the Executive Director for Ranked Choice Voting Maryland. She is a communications strategist and non-profit leader, based in Montgomery County. She has devoted a majority of her career to supporting or leading non-profits in the areas of strategic messaging, policy development, community and coalition building, online engagement, and media outreach.

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Why Pick Just 1? Ranked Choice Voting

Creators and Guests

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