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Bill

H 4916

An Act authorizing ranked choice voting in the town of Bedford

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Barrett and 1 co-sponsor

Bedford, Massachusetts is authorized to use ranked choice voting in municipal elections, allowing voters to rank candidates with winners determined by instant runoff counting.

Accompanied a study order, see H5413
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Bill Summary · H 4916

Legislative bill overview

H 4916 authorizes the town of Bedford, Massachusetts to implement ranked choice voting (RCV) for municipal elections. This special legislation allows Bedford voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting a single candidate, with the winner determined through an instant runoff tabulation process if no candidate achieves a majority on the first count.

Why is this important

Ranked choice voting changes how elections function and who wins office. Proponents argue it reduces the spoiler effect, increases voter satisfaction, and encourages civil campaigning since candidates benefit from being second-choice preferences. Critics contend it may confuse voters, increase ballot complexity, and alter traditional democratic outcomes by eliminating certain candidates before later rounds of counting.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation complexity: RCV requires new voting equipment, staff training, and public education, increasing municipal administrative costs and potential for implementation errors
  • Electoral outcome differences: RCV can produce different winners than plurality voting, raising questions about whether it truly represents voter intent or simply changes how preference is measured
  • Statewide inconsistency: Allowing individual towns to adopt different voting systems creates fragmentation and may disadvantage candidates or voters unfamiliar with local rules

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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