by Kate Kavanagh
Ranked choice voting (RCV) is a more democratic, inclusive, and empowered way to choose our elected officials. The “instant runoff” process automatically eliminates candidates with no chance of winning, awarding their votes to each constituent’s second choice. Rounds of runoffs continue until one candidate receives 51% or more of the votes. With RCV voters can abandon the “who’s most likely to win” filter, ignore the incessant pollsters, and just vote for whom they want without fear of “wasting” their votes or “splitting” the field.
This more open process encourages new candidates to run, all candidates to campaign with civility, and more voters to come to the polls. It offers a mandate and accountability for elected officials. Cambridge and Easthampton successfully use RCV. Acton passed RCV at their Town Meeting this month!
Why we can’t use it yet
A home-rule petition was adopted by about 90% of Concordians at last year’s May 1 town meeting. Former Rep. Gouveia filed it then, and Rep. Cataldo refiled it this winter — making Concord the fourth MA community to submit a RCV bill to the Joint Committee on Election Law (along with Amherst, Arlington, and Northampton). The legislature must approve a home-rule petition for it to go into effect. The Election Law Committee has not acted on the four pending petitions..
A big thank you to State Representatives Simon Cataldo and Carmen Gentile and MA Senator Mike Barrett for co-sponsoring the legislation. We are blessed with our representation on Beacon Hill.
But…unless we urge the Election Law Committee to do its job and take up Bill H.664 (and the other community petitions) this year, there will have to be additional town meeting votes in 2024!
This is a no-brainer:
- Concord election officials researched RCV.
- The Concord Select Board and League of Women Voters endorsed RCV.
- Concord voters overwhelmingly passed RCV.
- We allocated the funds to make RCV happen.
- RCV is “the will of the people.”
What we must do
Now is the time to remind Beacon Hill that Concord is waiting…and watching.
Contact the Joint Committee on Election Laws
- Senate Chair: John.Keenan@masenate.gov — (617) 722-1494
- House Chair: Dan.Ryan@mahouse.gov — (617) 722-2460
- Member: James.Eldridge@masenate.gov — (617) 722-1120 (thank him for co-sponsoring)
And tell them it’s time to pass these bills:
- Concord’s RCV Bill (H.664)
- Local Options Bill (S.433/H.711) — (which eliminates the need to get State House approval)
Let’s also thank our elected officials — Cataldo, Gentile & Barrett — for standing up for us!
Give Concord “more choices, more voices.” Find more information on Ranked Choice Voting click HERE and HERE.
Leave a Reply