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H 4713

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

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Barrett and 2 co-sponsors

Concord would require ranked-choice voting for most town offices, with round-by-round counting, defined tie-break rules, and Town Clerk rulemaking authority after 90 days.

Hearing scheduled for 11/13/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
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Bill Summary · H 4713

Summary: H.4713 – An Act relative to ranked choice voting in the town of Concord

Overview

H.4713, introduced November 5, 2025, would require ranked choice voting (RCV) for all elected town offices in Concord, with specific exceptions. The bill specifies how rounds of counting would proceed, tie-break rules, and the authority of the Town Clerk to implement the measure. A hearing is scheduled for November 13, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Room A-2. The bill has related activity in the Senate and is connected to House Document 5148 (HD 5148).

  • Filed: September 15, 2025
  • Sponsors: Representatives Carmine Lawrence Gentile (Sudbury) and Simon Cataldo (Concord); additional sponsor Michael J. Barrett (Third Middlesex)
  • Legislative actions: Referred to Election Laws (Nov. 5, 2025); Senate concurred (Nov. 6, 2025); hearing scheduled (Nov. 13, 2025)

Purpose and Intent

The bill seeks to implement ranked choice voting for Concord’s electoral process at the town level, replacing or supplementing plurality-style methods for most elected offices. The intent is to allow voters to rank candidates in order of preference, with the process continuing in rounds until winners are determined.

Key Provisions

Definitions (Section 1(a))

  • Concluded ballot: a ballot that does not rank any continuing candidate or contains an overvote at the highest-ranked continuing candidate.
  • Continuing candidate: a candidate who has not been defeated.
  • Highest-ranked continuing candidate: the continuing candidate with the highest ranking on a voter’s ballot; omitted rankings are treated as the next highest ranking.
  • Overvote: ranking more than one candidate at the same rank.
  • Ranking: the numeric order assigned by a voter, with 1 as the highest ranking, 2 as next, and so on.

Scope of Voting (Section 1(b))

  • All elected town offices in Concord shall be elected by ranked choice voting, with exceptions:
    • Single-seat offices when the number of candidates printed on the ballot is ≤ 2.
    • Multi-seat offices when the number of candidates printed on the ballot is ≤ the number of seats to be elected.

Tabulation and Rounds (Section 1(c) and 1(d))

  • Single-seat elections:
    • Each round counts ballots for the highest-ranked continuing candidate.
    • If only two continuing candidates remain, the one with more votes wins.
    • If more than two remain, the candidate with the fewest votes is defeated and a new round begins.
  • Multi-seat elections:
    • First seat determined via the standard round process.
    • Remaining seats are filled by repeating the process; ballots are counted for the next highest-ranked continuing candidate after already-elected candidates’ rankings are disregarded.

Tie-Breaking (Section 1(e))

  • If two or more candidates tie for the fewest votes, the tied candidate with the fewest votes in the prior round is defeated.
  • If continuing candidates remain tied, repeat using the next closest previous round.
  • Town Clerk shall establish a tie-breaking method for first-round ties.

Administrative Authority (Section 1(f))

  • Town Clerk has authority to promulgate rules necessary to implement the act.

Effective Date (Section 2)

  • Takes effect upon passage, provided there are at least 90 days before the next election to allow for implementation.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Voters in Concord: new ballot design and ranking process, potential need for voter education.
  • Candidates: new dynamics in elections; potential reduction of spoiler effects.
  • Town Clerk and election officials: administrative changes, training, and rulemaking authority.
  • Ballot counting: round-by-round tabulation, tie-breaking procedures.

Timelines and Procedural Notes

  • Effective date contingent on passage and a minimum 90-day lead time before the next election.
  • Hearing scheduled for November 13, 2025.
  • Related actions include Senate concurrence on November 6, 2025.

Related Bills

  • HD 5148 (replaces) – connected legislative action and status.

This bill would significantly alter Concord’s electoral administration by adopting ranked choice voting for most town offices and establishing clear rules for counting, ties, and implementation.

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

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