Jersey City and Hoboken runoff turnout plummets. Ranked choice voting can help.

Yesterday, two major New Jersey cities – Jersey City and Hoboken – held runoff elections for local offices. Turnout declined in every contest, and by an average of about 43% – a predictable drop that could have been avoided if these cities used ranked choice voting (RCV). Notably, both cities have already taken steps toward adopting RCV – with unanimous support from each city’s council, showing a high level of consensus for change.

Both Hudson County cities held initial elections for mayor and city council on November 4. Because no candidate secured a majority in either mayoral race, each city held a December runoff between the top two finishers. Multiple city council races also advanced to runoffs.

When Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop decided to run for governor, seven candidates ran to replace him. Councilman James Solomon and former Governor Jim McGreevey advanced to the runoff with 29% and 25% of the vote, respectively. Though Solomon ultimately won with 69% of votes in the runoff, turnout fell by nearly half – 49%. 

Hoboken’s mayoral race played out similarly. In the initial field of six candidates, Councilwoman Emily Jabbour led with 27%, followed by Councilman Michael Russo with 25%. Jabbour prevailed with 54% of votes in the runoff, but turnout declined by 39%. 

Runoff elections are supposed to make government more representative by electing candidates with majority support. But in practice, runoffs usually shrink the electorate in addition to increasing taxpayer costs. Across the four runoffs for ward seats on the Jersey City Council, turnout fell by an average of 44%. 

This is all avoidable, however. Hoboken and Jersey City could follow the lead of neighboring New York City – which replaced its primary runoff elections with RCV in 2021. RCV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, with an “instant runoff” determining a majority winner when necessary. This means winners are determined on Election Day, when participation is naturally the highest and voters still have access to the full range of choices. With RCV, voters wouldn’t need to cast a second ballot for the same offices, and Hudson County taxpayers wouldn’t have to cover the cost of a second election. 

Both cities have already taken steps toward adopting RCV. In 2021, the Hoboken City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to hold a referendum on RCV if the New Jersey legislature allows cities to use it. Mayor-elect Emily Jabbour introduced that ordinance, saying: 

Ranked choice voting levels the playing field to give voters more of a voice in the electoral process… I am proud that Hoboken is now leading the way for ranked choice voting in New Jersey.

Jersey City unanimously passed a similar ordinance in 2024. Mayor-elect James Solomon said that:

RCV has been successful in cities and states across the country, including New York City and Maine, and I strongly believe that RCV will be an important next step for fairer, more open elections across New Jersey.

For Jersey City and Hoboken to “do it their way” – to borrow a line from Hoboken native Frank Sinatra – the state legislature must pass legislation allowing municipalities to adopt RCV for local elections. To learn more, visit Voter Choice New Jersey.