Voting System Reform
Advancing ranked choice voting and other electoral reforms to improve representation and election outcomes nationwide
Nonpartisan organization researching and advancing voting reforms to make democracy more functional and representative
About Organization
FairVote is a nonpartisan organization that researches and advances voting reforms to strengthen American democracy. Since its founding in 1992, the organization has worked at local, state, and national levels through strategic research, communications, and collaboration. Based in Silver Spring, MD, FairVote reported $7.2 million in revenue and employs 38 staff members as of 2024.
Voting System Reform
Advancing ranked choice voting and other electoral reforms to improve representation and election outcomes nationwide
Research and Analysis
Conducting nonpartisan research on election systems and voting methods to inform policy development and advocacy
Policy Advocacy
Working with stakeholders at all government levels to implement voting reforms through strategic communications and collaboration
Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.
Revenue (2024)
$7.2M
+51.8% vs 2022
Expenses (2024)
$6.4M
+19.7% vs 2022
Assets (2024)
$6.1M
+60.5% vs 2022
Employees (2024)
38
-11.6% vs 2022
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,247,612 | $6,405,004 | $6,064,176 | 38 |
| 2022 | $4,775,903 | $5,352,841 | $3,777,821 | 43 |
| 2021 | $4,696,219 | $3,445,506 | $4,251,157 | 33 |
| 2020 | $4,138,382 | $3,318,486 | $2,919,025 | 20 |
| 2019 | $4,288,226 | $2,782,896 | $2,007,222 | 26 |
| 2018 | $2,661,864 | $3,016,583 | $498,352 | 31 |
| 2017 | $3,248,170 | $2,771,951 | $857,325 | 35 |
Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.
Conduct strategic research on voting methods and election reforms to identify effective solutions
Design voting reform proposals based on research findings and best practices nationwide
Work with stakeholders at local, state, and national levels to implement reforms
Build partnerships and communicate findings to expand support for better election systems
Services and programs offered by Fairvote
Research and advocacy for ranked choice voting systems to improve election outcomes and voter representation
Work to improve presidential primary systems and make them more representative and functional
Strategic research on voting reforms and election systems to inform policy development nationwide
Public education and advocacy campaigns to advance voting reform at all levels of government
Meet the people behind Fairvote.
1992
1992
FairVote established as nonpartisan advocate for voting reform in American elections
2017
2017
Grew to 35 employees with $3.2 million budget to increase reform impact
2021
2021
Revenue reached $4.7 million supporting expanded research and advocacy programs nationwide
2024
2024
Achieved $7.2 million in revenue reflecting increased support for voting reform work
Board members, advisors, and key contributors
Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.
Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990
Total Reported (2024)
$2.2M
Highest Paid
$226K
Meredith Sumpter
Compensated Officers
14
| Name | Title | Base | Other | Total | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meredith Sumpter | President & CEO | $214,182 | $11,338 | $225,520 | 40 |
| Ashley Houghton | VP Of Policy & Program | $185,345 | $24,814 | $210,159 | 40 |
| Brian Cannon | Director Of Advocacy | $168,088 | $17,180 | $185,268 | 40 |
| David Daley | Senior Fellow | $153,356 | $29,793 | $183,149 | 40 |
| Robert Richie | Senior Advisor | $146,754 | $25,956 | $172,710 | 40 |
| Suvarna Hulawale | Director Of Strategy & Learning | $154,297 | $16,421 | $170,718 | 40 |
| Shilanda Becnel | Director Of People Culture | $150,832 | $18,338 | $169,170 | 40 |
| Deborah Otis | Director Of Research & Policy | $147,100 | $20,055 | $167,155 | 40 |
| Marissa Miller | Director Of Development | $131,401 | $24,392 | $155,793 | 40 |
| William Mantell | Director Of Communications | $133,576 | $14,086 | $147,662 | 40 |
| Ryan Suto | Senior Policy Advisor | $108,633 | $25,854 | $134,487 | 40 |
| Binmiao Guo | Finance Manager | $106,420 | $21,869 | $128,289 | 40 |
| Lan Nguyen | Former COO And Interim CEO | $76,060 | $3,791 | $79,851 | 40 |
| Margaret Lawlor | Former Director Of Finance | $65,246 | $3,033 | $68,279 | 40 |
| Name | Title | Base | Other | Total | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Richie | President & CEO | $182,808 | $31,252 | $214,060 | 40 |
| Lan Nguyen | EVP & COO | $162,626 | $34,478 | $197,104 | 40 |
| Margaret Lawlor | Director Of Finance | $147,464 | $31,058 | $178,522 | 40 |
| David Daley | Senior Fellow | $139,084 | $26,355 | $165,439 | 40 |
| Angela Kouters | Government Affairs Director | $134,490 | $11,165 | $145,655 | 40 |
| Brian Cannon | Director Of Advocacy | $136,090 | $9,235 | $145,325 | 40 |
| Yasmin Khan | Vice President Of Development | $131,219 | $12,087 | $143,306 | 40 |
| Ashley Houghton | Director Of Communications | $115,079 | $15,641 | $130,720 | 40 |
| Name | Title | Base | Other | Total | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Richie | President & CEO | $171,594 | $29,213 | $200,807 | 40 |
| Khalid Pitts | Executive VP | $164,562 | $24,451 | $189,013 | 40 |
| David Daley | Senior Fellow | $127,995 | $17,401 | $145,396 | 40 |
| Ashley Houghton | DIR Communications | $116,144 | $11,075 | $127,219 | 40 |
| Lan Nguyen | EXEC VP/COO | $77,360 | $6,053 | $83,413 | 40 |
| Name | Title | Base | Other | Total | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Richie | President & CEO | $170,073 | $29,325 | $199,398 | 40 |
| Sangita Dhungana | Executive VP | $160,321 | $21,537 | $181,858 | 40 |
| David Daley | Senior Fellow | $126,286 | $19,789 | $146,075 | 40 |
| Khalid Pitts | Executive VP | $105,780 | $17,419 | $123,199 | 40 |
| Aida Cavalic | Director Of Finance | $105,943 | $12,795 | $118,738 | — |
| Name | Title | Base | Other | Total | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sangita Dhungana | Executive VP | $155,000 | $22,149 | $177,149 | 40 |
| Robert Richie | President & CEO | $130,000 | $29,998 | $159,998 | 40 |
| David Daley | Senior Fellow | $130,000 | $21,540 | $151,540 | 40 |
Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.
People from this organization who contributed to political campaigns
Takoma Park, MD
Seattle, WA
Winona, MN
Seattle, WA
Edina, MN
Washington, DC
Data from Federal Election Commission • Individual contributions only
Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)
Total Approved
$614K
Total Forgiven
$617K
101% forgiven
Jobs Retained
36
Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)
Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings
Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.