Boston Considers Shift to Ranked Choice Voting for Local Elections

Boston is moving towards ranked choice voting in local elections, led by Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune. This initiative, gaining local support despite previous statewide rejection, aims to better reflect voter preferences. Proponents and critics provide contrasting views on its implications for democracy and voter participation. Upcoming discussions will focus on the proposal’s feasibility and necessary infrastructural changes.

Boston is progressing towards the implementation of ranked choice voting in local elections, propelled by At-Large City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune. This proposal emerges nearly five years after voters across Massachusetts declined the concept for state and federal elections. Councilor Louijeune stated, “Ranked choice voting is how we make sure that whoever’s elected is supported by the majority of the electorate.” She emphasized the limitations of the current plurality system, where candidates can win without obtaining over 50% of the votes, thus failing to represent the majority of voters’ preferences.

In her proposed plan, voters would rank candidates based on preference. The process involves counting first-choice votes, eliminating the candidate with the least support, and redistributing those votes until a candidate secures at least 51%. Preliminary elections would continue, advancing four candidates for mayor and district city councilor to the general election, while eight at-large city councilor candidates would proceed as usual. The proposal requires approval from the Boston City Council and Mayor Michelle Wu, followed by legislative and gubernatorial consent to be included in a ballot.

The timing of this proposal aligns with Louijeune’s belief in enhancing democratic processes. She remarked, “I think it’s always the right time to be working on democratic reform and how we improve our democracy.” Despite the statewide rejection of ranked choice voting in 2020, it garnered over 60% support from Boston voters, indicating local interest. The topic is gaining traction nationally, though several states have either banned or rejected ranked choice voting.

Critics, including Paul Craney of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, argue against the transition, stating it may lead to voter confusion and complicate the election process. He explained, “You want elections to be clear and fair and not too confusing,” criticizing the analogy of choosing ice cream flavors, underscoring that voters must be familiar with numerous candidates to rank their choices effectively. The concern is that this could place undue burden on voters, particularly in crowded races.

Furthermore, academic insights from Jack Santucci indicate that ranked choice voting might result in an increase of invalid ballots due to potential voter misunderstandings. He questioned whether the benefits of such a system justify this confusion, while acknowledging its long-standing use in other countries. Louijeune reassured that her proposal would permit voters to rank as many or as few candidates as they wish, emphasizing the adaptability of Boston’s election workforce in managing this transition.

Evaluating the technical requirements, updating voting machines and software would be essential if ranked choice voting is adopted, with estimated costs of around $2 million. These updates coincide with Boston’s electoral challenges, notably recent failures to provide adequate ballots, leading Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin to consider oversight measures for upcoming elections until 2026. Louijeune indicated that improving the city’s electoral infrastructure is necessary, stating, “Ranked choice voting wouldn’t change how many ballots are needed at each polling place; it simply alters how ballots are counted after they’re cast.”

The upcoming session to discuss Boston’s ranked choice voting legislation is set for next month, as the city strives to enhance its electoral process while addressing existing issues with ballot accessibility and voter confidence.

In summary, Boston is set to explore ranked choice voting as a potential reform in local elections, following support from key city officials and a favorable local voter sentiment. Despite facing opposition and critical logistical considerations, advocates argue for its capacity to enhance representational democracy. As the city navigates the challenges presented by its current electoral infrastructure, upcoming sessions will further assess the viability and implementation of this voting system.

Original Source: www.wgbh.org