Study Order- Time Expired

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

H.5413 authorizes a formal study by the Election Laws Committee to evaluate ranked-choice voting in Boston and Bedford and to report findings plus draft legislation by Dec 31, 2026

Discharged to the committee on House Rules

Summary of H. 5413 (194th Session) — Massachusetts

Purpose and Intent

Establishes authorization for the Committee on Election Laws to study and investigate ranked-choice voting (RCV) as it relates to two prior House documents (H. 4262 and H. 4916).

The study aims to assess whether RCV should be adopted or expanded in Massachusetts, with results and recommendations to be reported back, including drafts of legislation if recommendations are adopted.

Key Provisions

Creates a formal investigative study by the Committee on Election Laws.

The study focuses on the policy questions and implications raised by H. 4262 (pertaining to ranked-choice voting in the City of Boston) and H. 4916 (pertaining to authorizing ranked-choice voting in the Town of Bedford).

Requires the committee to report findings, recommendations, and, if applicable, draft legislation necessary to implement any recommended changes.

The reporting deadline is December 31, 2026, ensuring a defined timeline for analysis and legislative drafting.

Who/What Would Be Affected

The study concerns ranked-choice voting policies and procedures, potentially affecting:

Municipal elections in Boston (RCV applicability as proposed in H. 4262).
Town elections in Bedford (RCV authorization as proposed in H. 4916).

While this bill does not itself enact RCV, it considers policy changes and their practical implications, including administrative, legal, and electoral impacts.

Procedural and Timeline Details

The bill is an order directing the Committee on Election Laws to sit during a recess of the General Court to conduct the investigation.

Required reporting to the General Court by December 31, 2026.

Upon reporting, the findings and recommended legislation would be filed with the Clerk of the House.

The action history indicates assignment to the Joint Rules Committee and subsequent discharge to the House Rules Committee, reflecting internal legislative processing steps.

Potential Impact if Adopted

If substantive recommendations are adopted, Massachusetts could progress toward enacting ranked-choice voting in specified municipalities or statewide, depending on the committee’s findings.

The study could influence the design, implementation, and feasibility considerations of RCV, including ballot design, counting procedures, voter education, and administrative capacity.

Provides a structured timetable for evaluating policy changes before any new legislation is introduced.

Bottom Line

H. 5413 is a procedural, time-bound authorization for a comprehensive study by the Election Laws Committee to analyze the potential adoption of ranked-choice voting in Boston and Bedford, with formal findings and possible drafting of legislation due by end of 2026.