Providing a local option for ranked choice voting in municipal elections

This bill allows cities and towns in Massachusetts to use ranked choice voting for their municipal elections, if they choose to do so. Ranked choice voting lets voters rank candidates by preference rather than picking just one. The bill outlines how votes will be counted and how ties or other voting issues will be handled. It requires cities or towns to decide to use ranked choice voting by ballot measure, ordinance, or charter amendment. The bill also requires voter education about ranked choice voting and gives the state guidance in helping with this education.

MA S2911 is a senate bill in the Massachusetts 194th General Court, sponsored by Committee on Election Laws, currently “Introduced” since January 15, 2026.

We track 6,558 Massachusetts bills this session, 13 of them sponsored by Committee on Election Laws.

Supporters will likely highlight that this bill empowers local communities to adopt a voting system that better captures voter preferences and can lead to more representative election outcomes. It allows for greater diversity and choice in local elections, potentially reducing strategic voting and encouraging more candidates to run. The bill's focus on voter education ensures that voters will understand how to use ranked choice voting effectively, enhancing democratic participation.

Critics might argue that the bill introduces complexity into the voting process, which could confuse voters and lead to longer ballot counts. They may claim that implementing ranked choice voting could be costly for local governments, requiring new voting equipment and training. Additionally, some might be concerned that the process for determining how ties and eliminations are resolved could seem arbitrary or unfair to voters used to traditional voting methods.