H5584

Authorizing ranked choice voting for local elections in the city of Salem

Introduced·7/16/26
Introduced Text

Authorizes ranked choice voting for local elections in the city of Salem, Massachusetts.

This bill authorizes the city of Salem to use ranked choice voting (RCV) for local elections. Under RCV, voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate has a majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed based on the next preference until a candidate has a majority. The City Clerk, with board approval, will set rules for implementing RCV, including ballot format and tie-breaking procedures. The act will be submitted to voters for approval at a future election.

Included in complete analysis

  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Where it stands

Current
Election Laws Committee
Next
Committee decision

Sponsors

DD
2
0
Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

History

Jul 20

Senate

Senate concurred

Jul 16

House

Referred to the Joint Committee on Election Laws