The following Two States and Five Cities had Ballot Measures to Enact Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) on the Ballot in November 2020. Earlier in the year, Maine's Largest City of Portland Approved a Ballot Measure with 81% of the Vote to Amend its Charter to Extend use of RCV for All City Elections.
Collectively, these Eight Ballot Measures represent the Most Jurisdictions Voting on RCV in One year, in American History.
Alaska - Alaskans for Better Elections collected enough Signatures to put Ballot Measure 2 to a Vote this November. It Passed November 18th, with a Winning percentage of 50.6%.
The Ballot Measure will Implement several Statutory Changes, including:
1. "Top Four" Blanket Primaries for State and Congressional Offices, where All Candidates would appear on the Same Primary Ballot and the Top-Four Vote Getters would Advance to the General Election, regardless of Party Affiliation.
2. Use RCV among Four Candidates on the November Ballot, with Write-In Candidates Permitted.
3. RCV in the Presidential Election among All Candidates who have Qualified for the Ballot and any Write-In Candidates.
4. Requiring Persons and Entities that Contribute more than $2,000 that were themselves Derived from Donations, Contributions, Dues, or Gifts to Disclose the True Sources, as defined in Law, of the Political Contributions.
Albany, California - The City Council of Albany, California, Voted Unanimously, on June 15th, in favor of Charter Amendment for Voters to Approve the Adoption of the Proportional Form of RCV for Elections to the City Council and School Board, which are Elected Citywide in Staggered Elections. The RCV Ballot Measure BB, November 14th was Approved, with its Lead of 73.3% to 26.7%. Albany would be the Fifth City in California with RCV and the Fourth City in the Country using its Proportional, Single Transferable Vote Form.
Bloomington, Minnesota - The City Council of Bloomington, Minnesota, Voted 6-1 in favor of a Charter Amendment to go on the November Ballot adopting RCV in Elections for Mayor and Council as City Question 3. Bloomington would join Three Minnesota Cities that already use RCV. On November 7th, Bloomington Voters have Approved Question 3 by 51.2%-48.8%.
Boulder, Colorado - In August, the Boulder, Colorado, City Council Approved 7-2 to Place a Charter Amendment, Measure 2E on the Ballot to allow Voters to Elect their Mayor Directly with RCV. Currently, the City Council selects the Mayor. On September 1st, the Council held a Final Vote that put Ballot Measure 2E before Voters. On November 14th, Boulder Voters have Approved Measure 2E by 78.1%-21.9%.
Eureka, California - The City Council of Eureka, California Voted Unanimously (5-0) to place a Charter Amendment, Measure C, on the November Ballot to Adopt RCV for Electing the Mayor and City Council. Measure C would Replace the Current Plurality Voting System and make Eureka the 5th City in California with RCV. On November 14th, Eureka Voters have Approved Measure C, with the Tally being 61.5% to 38.5%.
Massachusetts - After a Multi-Year Educational Campaign led by Voter Choice Massachusetts, an Initiative, Question 2, will appear on the Ballot. iIt would Enact a Statute to Implement RCV for Massachusetts’: U.S. Senate and U.S House Primary and General Elections; State Primary and General Elections; and County Offices, beginning in 2022. On November 14th, Massachusetts voters have Opposed Question 2 by 54.9%-45.1%.
Minnetonka, Minnesota - The City Council of Minnetonka, Minnesota voted Unanimously to place a Charter Amendment, City Question, on the November Ballot to Fold the City's Nonpartisan Primary Elections into a Single General Election held with RCV for Mayor and City Council. On November 14th, Minnetonka Voters have Passed the City Question by 54.7%-45.3%.
New York City - On November 5th, 2019, New Yorkers Overwhelmingly Approved RCV for Local Elections. Nearly 75% of Voters were in Favor of the Proposal. RCV will be used for its June 2021 Primary for: Mayor; Comptroller; Public Advocate; Borough Presidents (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island); and City Council.
Additional Notes:
(1) Burlington, Vermont - On March 3rd, 2021 will Vote on Enacting RCV for Most City Elections.
(2) North Dakota - Voter’s First, a Grassroots Coalition, Submitted 36,000 Signatures for a Ballot Initiative that would have Enacted several Changes, including a "Top Four Primary" with RCV. It was Approved by the Secretary of State, but the North Dakota Supreme Court, on August 25th, Removed it from the Ballot because it Ruled that Petitions should have included the Full Text of the Ballot Measure.
(3) Open Primaries Arkansas, a Grassroots Coalition that gathered Sufficient Signatures to earn a place on the November Ballot, was deeply Disappointed to have its "Top Four Primary" with RCV Struck from the Ballot by the Arkansas Supreme Court on Procedural Grounds involving Signature Collection.
(4) Several additional Cities seriously considered placing RCV on the Ballot and are likely to take Action in 2021-22. Other Cities are expected to establish RCV for their 2021 Elections by an Act of the City Council.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
