What the Trigger Ordinance/Resolution Means
Benefits of RCV
Ranked-choice voting increases voter turnout and candidate diversity, reduces toxic polarization, and eliminates costly run-off elections.
- Voters are empowered and more engaged. RCV allows voters to express their true preferences without having to vote strategically or fear "wasting" their vote on a less popular candidate. Even if a voter's first choice doesn’t win, the winner may be their second or third choice.
- Majority Rule: RCV ensures that the winning candidate has majority support, meaning outcomes better reflect the collective will of the electorate.
- RCV eliminates the need for costly run-off elections, saving taxpayers’ dollars. RCV prevents significant drop-off in voter turnout common to run-offs.
- Reduces negative campaigning and promotes consensus-building among candidates. Candidates are incentivized to build bridges with running mates and reach beyond their base to appeal to a wider range of voters so they can earn 2nd and 3rd choice preferences.
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RCV levels the playing field, encourages a diverse and inclusive candidate pool, and increases the probability that women and POC would win elections.
- RCV eliminates the "spoiler effect". More candidates can run without fear of splitting the vote.
- Women, people of color, lesser-known candidates, third-party or independent candidates are more likely to participate in a race.
- A more diverse set of candidates may attract new voters who previously felt disenfranchised.
- Studies show more women and POC run & win in RCV elections.
ADDITIONAL POINTS & DATA
1. The [CHOOSE ONE: RESOLUTION OR TRIGGER ORDINANCE] is taking a grassroots approach to making a systemic change at the state level to open up the electoral process. VCNJ’s belief is that passing a [CHOOSE ONE: RESOLUTION OR TRIGGER ORDINANCE] will:
- Help give momentum to the RCV movement in the State
- Demonstrate to state legislators that there is demand for RCV and ultimately help our state bills gain traction
2. There is precedent for passing trigger ordinances and resolutions on Ranked Choice Voting in New Jersey. Hoboken was the first municipality to pass a local law in support of RCV. Jersey City, Red Bank, Princeton, and Maplewood followed suit. (Jersey City passed a trigger ordinance in April and Red Bank passed a resolution in May)
3. Some form of RCV is adopted or implemented in 57 cities across the US
- NYC’s ballot measure to adopt RCV for use in primary elections passed with a whopping 73.5% of the vote
- 2 States use it in statewide elections (ME, AK)
- 6 States use it in Democratic Primaries (AK, HI, KS, NV, WY +U.S. Virgin Islands)
- 6 States use is in Military and Overseas Voting (AR, AL, GA, MS, SC, IL)
4. Studies show that the vast majority of people across varying age and race demographics understand RCV and find it easy to use
- In NYC’s 2021 Primary, surveys found there was little variability between ethnic groups' understanding of ranked choice voting:
- 81% of White voters, 80% of Hispanic voters, 77% of Black voters, and 77% of Asian voters said they understood ranked-choice voting
- When asked if people found ranked-choice voting easy or very easy to use: 75% of 18-34 year olds, 86% of 35-49 year olds, 76% of 50-64 year olds, and 81% of 65+ year olds(Philadelphia USA Election Poll)
- In NYC’s 2021 Primary, Over 93% of polled voters - across every ethnic group — found the ballot design “simple to complete.”
- In Alaska’s 2022 general election: 85% of polled voters reported that RCV is “simple” in their first RCV election.
- In Maine’s 2018 primary election, 90% of polled Maine voters said their experience with RCV was “excellent” or “good.” Most respondents hadn’t used RCV before.
Sample Script for the Comment Period
Hello! My name is [YOUR NAME] from [YOUR TOWN/CITY]. I am here to express my support for ranked-choice voting.
I support ranked-choice voting because it improves the voter experience, reduces toxic partisanship and the need for strategic voting, and it eliminates the need for costly run-off elections.
I ask you to [CUSTOMIZE]
Thank you.
What the Trigger Ordinance/Resolution Means
The RCV Trigger Ordinance (adopted by local governing body)
The ordinance would require the council to put a ballot question to Jersey City voters to decide themselves whether they want to use RCV in local elections to elect their Mayor, City Council members, and School board members. The ballot question is "triggered" whenever the state legislature passes RCV-enabling legislation that gives municipalities the authority to adopt a voting method like RCV with voter approval.
The RCV Resolution (adopted by local governing body)
The resolution is a commitment of the council to put a ballot question to Jersey City voters to decide themselves whether they want to use RCV in local elections to elect their Mayor, City Council members, and School board members. The ballot question is "triggered" whenever the state legislature passes RCV-enabling legislation that gives municipalities the authority to adopt a voting method like RCV with voter approval.
RCV State-enabling Legislation (enacted by NJ State Legislature)
The Municipal and School Board Voting Options Act (S1622/A4042) is the permissive legislation that grants municipalities the right to opt-into an alternative voting system like RCV. We have two pending bills in the legislature: Senate Bill S1622 sponsored by Senators Andrew Zwicker and Linda Greenstein and Assembly Bill A4042 sponsored by Assemblyman John Allen.
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