Boston voters want ranked choice voting
On November 17, Boston.com asked readers to weigh in on whether Boston, MA should adopt ranked choice voting (RCV) for municipal elections. The article featured a poll about RCV, and encouraged readers to write in with their detailed opinions.
Well, the results are in: 53% of respondents said the city should use RCV in local elections! In fact, 41% went even further, saying RCV should be used in state elections too.
This poll is just the latest evidence that Bostonites want RCV: In 2020, 62% of Bostonites voted in favor of an ultimately unsuccessful ballot measure that would have brought RCV to state elections. Below are just a few of the comments from Boston.com readers who feel that RCV would bring positive change to their elections.
Massachusetts has one of the lowest rates of election competition in the U.S. Regardless of political party, competition in politics is a positive attribute to keep government responsive to the governed. The current system has proven that it does not work and winner-by-plurality has proven to be a disaster at the state and federal levels. Let’s adopt a system of voting like RCV to ensure that every vote counts and that majority vote is required to win.
— Dan W.
The only reason I can see to oppose RCV is if the current system, with huge non-participation on the part of citizens, suits you. If the status quo is what you want, keep our current system with its negativity, splitting, and victories with less than 50% support.
— Martha K.
Want to help the ranked choice voting movement? Visit our friends at Ranked Choice Boston, and check out FairVote Action’s website for opportunities to take action in your community!
