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H 869

An Act relative to ranked choice voting in the town of Acton

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Simon Cataldo and 3 co-sponsors

Acton adopts ranked-choice voting for annual and special town elections, using multi-round tabulation and vote transfers to elect candidates with broad support; tie rules apply.

Accompanied a study order, see H5253 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 869

Summary: H.869 — An Act relative to ranked choice voting in the town of Acton

Purpose and intent

This bill seeks to implement ranked choice voting (RCV) for all elections in Acton that are held at annual town elections or town special elections. The aim is to ensure that elected officials have broad support by requiring voters to rank candidates in order of preference, and to determine winners through a multi-round tabulation process.

Key provisions

  • Scope of application

    • All offices elected at annual town elections or town special elections would use ranked choice voting.
    • Exceptions: a single-seat office with 2 or fewer certified candidates, or a multi-seat office with a number of certified candidates not exceeding the number of seats to be elected.

  • RCV tabulation rounds

    • Elections are conducted in rounds. Ballots count for the highest-ranked continuing candidate.
    • Concluded ballots are not counted for any continuing candidate.

  • Single-seat elections

    • Each round tallies votes for continuing candidates; if more than two continue, the last-place candidate is eliminated (possibly in batches), and a new round begins.
    • When only two candidates remain, the one with the fewest votes is defeated and the other is elected; tabulation ends.

  • Multi-seat elections

    • Ballots count at their current transfer value for the highest-ranked continuing candidate.
    • In the first round, an election threshold is calculated.
    • Rounds end with one of three outcomes:
    • If any continuing candidate exceeds the threshold, those candidates are elected. Their surplus votes are transferred to remaining candidates by multiplying the ballot’s transfer value by the candidate’s surplus fraction. A new round begins; elected candidates are treated as having votes equal to the threshold in later rounds.
    • If no one exceeds the threshold and the combination of elected plus continuing candidates would exceed seats by more than one, the last-place candidates are eliminated in batch, and a new round begins.
    • Otherwise, the lowest-ranked continuing candidate is defeated, and all remaining continuing candidates are elected, completing the tabulation.
    • Batch elimination: eliminates the largest possible group of continuing candidates whose combined votes are still less than the vote total of any remaining non-eliminated candidate, ensuring at least one more candidate than the remaining seats stays in contention.

  • Tie-breaking and ballot integrity

    • If two or more last-place candidates are tied, tie-breaking uses prior rounds’ standings, progressing back through rounds as needed.
    • The Select Board, in consultation with the Town Clerk, may adjust ballot design and tabulation procedures to preserve integrity and smooth operation, provided RCV remains in use and changes are minimized.

Implementation and timeline

  • Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage.
  • First RCV election: The first election using ranked choice voting shall occur no sooner than 2025.
  • Status and actions:
    • Introduced February 27, 2025.
    • Referred to the Committee on Election Laws (2/27/2025).
    • Local approval noted.
    • Hearing scheduled: November 13, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in hearing room A-2.

Affected parties and practical impact

  • Voters in Acton: Will rank candidates for eligible offices; the voting process may involve more rounds of counting and potential adjustments in campaign strategies.
  • Candidates: Could require broader appeal to secure transferable votes; campaigns may target second and third preferences.
  • Town offices and officials: Select Board and Town Clerk retain procedural oversight for ballot design and tabulation adjustments.
  • Local governance: Transition to RCV would affect how elections are conducted and how winners are determined, with a structured multi-round process and defined tie-break rules.

Related context

  • The measure is aligned with prior similar proposals (House No. 3974 of 2023-2024) and has a history of local consideration.

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

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