Princeton Council Lends Support To Ranked Choice Voting In NJ

PRINCETON, NJ – Council on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution, showing their support for Ranked Choice Voting.

Sen. Andrew Zwicker is sponsoring a bill to bring Ranked Choice Voting to local municipal and school board elections.

Under Ranked Choice Voting, voters can choose multiple candidates and rank them in order of preference.

This form of voting is used statewide in Alaska, Maine and a number of cities in the United States.

Princeton now joins Red Bank, Hoboken, and Jersey City to pass a resolution or ordinance that would allow them to adopt RCV if Zwicker's bill passes and the voters accept it.

"Princeton’s local Democratic club, the Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO), which endorses candidates, and the Princeton Democratic Municipal Committee, which determines ballot placement, have successfully used ranked choice voting for local candidates for the last half decade. Princeton Council supports measures such as S1585 that are intended to empower voters and broaden representation in government at the local and state level," "Council President Mia Sacks said in a statement on behalf of Princeton Council.

David Goodman from Represent Us, NJ thanked the Council for their support of RCV. “By approving this resolution you have once again put Princeton on the map along with Hoboken, Jersey City and Red Bank. You are calling on our legislature and the governor to authorize ranked choice voting in New Jersey for the first time,” Goodman said.

“Princeton and this Council have been leaders in democracy reform before.”

Veronica Akaezuwa from Voter Choice NJ said that Princeton passing the resolution was a critical step towards empowering voters and opening up the democratic process.

“I firmly believe that passing the resolution will serve as a powerful signal to state legislators that there is local level support for rank choice voting and its growing,” Akaezuwa said. “Your leadership is greatly appreciated.”

According to the resolution, RCV would ensure that Princeton Council members, Mayor and School Board members are elected with majority support and are “accountable to a majority of voters.”

How Does RCV Work?

RCV allows voters to rank the candidates on the ballot in order of preference. It requires that candidates win with a majority of votes cast, and eliminates the notion of a “wasted” vote that currently exists when a voter considers choosing a candidate that is not one of the two major political parties, according to Voter Choice NJ.

According to advocates, RCV makes elections more competitive and fair by encouraging the participation of more candidates and parties, and ensuring that all voters’ voices are heard.

Advocates say RCV saves time and money and allows more voter participation.

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