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Bill

H 4262

An Act to implement ranked choice voting in Boston

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sam Montaño

Boston would adopt ranked choice voting for municipal elections, requiring voters to rank candidates by preference instead of selecting one, pending committee approval and further legislative action.

Accompanied a study order, see H5413
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Bill Summary · H 4262

Legislative bill overview

H 4262 proposes implementing ranked choice voting (RCV) in Boston municipal elections, allowing voters to rank candidates by preference rather than selecting only one. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, lower-ranked choices are counted in sequential rounds until a winner emerges. This represents a significant departure from Boston's current plurality voting system.

Why is this important

Ranked choice voting could fundamentally alter Boston's electoral dynamics by potentially reducing the influence of vote-splitting among similar candidates and ensuring winners have broader voter support. The change affects how citizens participate in local democracy and could influence campaign strategies, candidate viability, and representation in city government.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation complexity: RCV requires new voting equipment, voter education, and election administration procedures that increase costs and training requirements for poll workers
  • Voter confusion and ballot spoilage: Ranked choice ballots are more complex; studies show higher rates of invalid ballots and voter errors compared to standard voting
  • Political feasibility: The measure faces potential opposition from candidates and parties who benefit from the current system, and questions remain about whether RCV genuinely improves representation or merely shifts advantage to different candidates

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

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