Bill > S531

This bill provides a local option for municipalities to adopt ranked choice voting (RCV) in their local elections. Under this bill, cities and towns can choose to implement RCV through a ballot measure, ordinance, by-law, or charter amendment. If adopted, local elections would allow voters to rank candidates in order of preference, rather than just selecting one candidate. The voting method would use a single transferable vote method, with votes being tabulated in rounds where candidates with the fewest votes are eliminated and their votes transferred to voters' next preferred candidates. Municipalities that adopt RCV must specify detailed rules about how the voting will work, including how winning thresholds are calculated, how votes are transferred, and how ties are resolved. Importantly, the bill requires that municipalities conduct voter education to help residents understand the new voting system. Municipalities that adopt RCV cannot hold preliminary elections, and after at least four years, they can choose to return to their previous voting method through a similar approval process. The bill also ensures that voters can still write in candidates and that lower-ranked choices cannot negatively impact the chances of a voter's higher-ranked choices.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S531