Waltham-Specific RCV FAQ

Q:  What steps are required to implement RCV in Waltham?

A: To successfully implement ranked choice voting, the most critical steps are voter education and gaining stakeholder support. The first phase is helping Waltham residents understand how RCV works and why it matters; simultaneously building grassroots momentum and engaging local elected officials. The second step becomes partnering with those officials to develop a concrete implementation plan. Moving forward will require action at the state level, either through a Home Rule Petition or passage of the Local Option Bill (S2911), before local implementation in Waltham can proceed. 

Here is a summary of the steps:

  Local Approval: The petition must be approved by the Waltham City Council and signed by the mayor. This could happen anytime over the next six months. 

  State Filing: Once passed locally, the petition is officially filed as a bill by the municipality's elected state representative. This is a very quick step. 

  State Legislature Action: The bill must navigate the Massachusetts General Court committee system, pass both the House and Senate, and be signed into law by the Governor. This requires a hearing in front of the Election Law Committee. There should be one in the late summer / early fall of 2027 for other RCV bills, at least that's the point in the session they've been scheduled in the past. The bill will then need to be passed before the end of the two-year legislative session and signed by the governor within 10 days.

An alternative route is for the Massachusetts legislature to pass S2911, which eliminates the need for Home Rule Petitions, and is now with the committee on Senate Ways and Means. 

Q: How can I help bring Ranked Choice Voting to Waltham?

A: You can help by donating to RCWaltham, volunteering your time, joining RCWaltham to receive our newsletter and spread the good word to friends, relatives, and co-workers, proudly wearing the RCWaltham t-shirt, and displaying other RCWaltham gear and signs.

Be sure to follow our social media accounts. If you have questions, suggestions, or are interested in joining a committee, you may contact us at info@walthamrcv.org. Please like and share our posts. Take advantage of our resources page to learn more about RCV. Let us know what your friends and family think!

Be sure to take our survey and sign up for our newsletter. 

Q: Will RCV apply to all elections in Waltham?

A: RCV could apply to all local elections that have more than two candidates and other elections approved for RCV. Potentially, RCV could apply to these elections: city councilors, mayor, and school committee, state primaries, state general elections, federal primaries, and federal general elections. 

Q: How soon after RCV elections will we know the results?

A: Results will continue to be made available by the town clerk’s office on election night, just as they are today. The clerk’s procedure for collecting the precinct results would not substantively change.

Q: Can I vote for a write-in candidate while using ranked choice voting?

A: Yes. Just write the name of your candidate in the “Write-In” line and fill the oval in the column of your rank choice.

Q: How much will RCV cost for Waltham?

A: RCV for Waltham requires a software upgrade with a one-time cost of approximately $12K and $1.2K each year. This is more than paid for by eliminating the need for preliminary elections. 

Q: What is a home rule petition for Waltham? 

A: A home rule petition is a formal request by Waltham to the Massachusetts General Court asking for permission to adopt a local law or policy that current state law does not otherwise allow. They enable cities like Waltham to move forward and locally adopt ranked choice voting without waiting for a statewide ballot initiative or statewide legislative reform.