Ranked Choice Voting for Salem

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Ranked Choice Voting: Briefly, RCV refers to any system in which voters have the option to rank candidates in order of preference: first, second, third, and so forth.

The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts takes the position that the winner in single-seat elections should be required to obtain a majority of the votes cast. The LWVMA supports the use of RCV in all elections—federal, state and local—with three or more candidates in which a single candidate is the winner to assure the winning candidate receives a majority.  Furthermore, Massachusetts LWVMA supports H.711/S.433, An Act providing a local option for ranked choice voting in municipal elections (LWVMA Summary) and also supports “home rule for Massachusetts cities and towns in local matters." Accordingly, LWV of Salem supports RCV for Salem’s single-seat elections (mayor and ward councilors).

While LWVMA  has no position on RCV for multi-seat elections, LWV of Salem welcomes robust public education about and discussion of RCV options for the election of Salem's school committee members and at-large city councilors (multi-seat elections).

On April 27, 2023 the Salem City Council unanimously agreed that the Government Services Subcommittee  will meet with the Committee of the Whole City Council to discuss submitting a Home Rule Petition to the legislature. Legislative approval would allow the Council to open the amendment of the city charter relative to Ranked Choice Voting in Salem municipal elections. The Salem LWV applauds the city council for opening launching the discussions on RCV.  The process to move our City elections towards or away from RCV should be transparent no doubt will be transparent, inclusive, and engaging. Since its founding, the League of Women Voters has advocated for broad public participation in government decision making at all levels, and we believe in the citizen’s right to know about the issues at stake in their communities.

If you are interested in learning about Ranked Choice Voting in general, seek information from fact-centered sources.  For a pro RCV for Salem perspective go to: https://www.salemrcv.org/.

Want More Info?

LWVUS position on Voter Representation/Electoral Systems (p. 51 of document / p. 54 of PDF)

LWVMA position on Voting Systems (p. 15)

LWV-Salem’s Forum on RCV (SATV On-Demand) (June 19, 2019)