Why Ranked Choice Voting is a Win for Waltham’s Older Voters 

Ranked Choice Voting respects our seniors’ time, honors their independence,
and brings back the neighborhood civility our local politics deserves.

When conversations turn to reforming our election systems, skepticism is a natural reaction. For the older segment of the voting population—citizens who have spent decades participating in the traditional choose-one system—the phrase Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) can sound like unnecessary overcomplication. Critics often claim that ranking candidates is too confusing or exhausting for seniors.

But data and real-world experiences tell a completely different story. Here in Waltham, where we take our local history and our civic duties seriously, our older residents are the backbone of our community. Far from being a burden, RCV offers unique, profound benefits to older voters, preserving their significant political influence while matching their deeply held civic values. 

From the Highlands to the South Side, here is why ranked choice voting isn’t just a theoretical  system for the future—it’s an ideal system for the Waltham voters who anchor our community today.

1. No More "Strategic Voting" Headaches

Waltham’s older voters are, by and large, highly conscientious voters. They follow local politics, keep up with candidates via the Waltham Times, catch city council debates on WCAC, and turn out at the polls from Ward 1 to Ward 9, rain or shine. In a traditional system, however, conscientious voters are frequently forced to play political mathematician.

You might love a grassroots, deeply principled candidate for city council or mayor, but worry that voting for them will "waste" your ballot or act as a "spoiler," accidentally helping elect the candidate you like least.

RCV entirely removes this anxiety. Because voters rank candidates in order of preference (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on), they can vote their conscience first. If their favorite candidate doesn't have broad enough support to win, their ballot automatically transfers to their backup choice.

2. Eliminating the Physical Toll of Preliminary Elections

The Waltham city charter mandates preliminary elections if the number of candidates exceeds twice the number of available seats. As recently as September 2023, Waltham voters were asked to turn out and vote in a preliminary election. For older voters, this presents a significant physical and logistical hurdle:

• Mobility challenges: Arranging transportation, dealing with unpredictable New England weather, and standing in long lines once per election is tough enough. Doing it twice is a major ask.

• Plunging turnout: Just like runoff elections, preliminary elections notoriously suffer from weak voter participation. Turnout for preliminary elections has been less than half the turn-out for the final voting. 

RCV functions as a combined preliminary and final election. All the data needed to find a majority winner is collected on a single ballot. For Waltham seniors—especially those who may rely on a ride from the Senior Center on School Street, family members, or mail-in ballots—getting to vote just once while achieving a true majority outcome protects both their health and their franchise.

3. A Return to Civil, Respectful Politics

If there is one thing older voters consistently vocalize a weariness for, it is the toxic polarization of modern politics. Traditional elections incentivize slash-and-burn campaigns; if a candidate can tear down their primary opponent enough, they win by default.

RCV fundamentally changes candidate behavior. Because a candidate needs to appeal to rival candidates' supporters for their 2nd or 3rd choice votes, they cannot afford to alienate large swaths of the electorate.

In jurisdictions across Massachusetts and the wider U.S. that use RCV, studies have shown that campaigns are measurably more positive. Candidates spend less time attacking each other and more time discussing substantive policy issues like senior housing, property tax exemptions, and Waltham’s local infrastructure. For a generation that values decorum and constructive governance, RCV delivers a much more respectful political environment.

4. The Data Proves Seniors Adapt Effortlessly

The most patronizing argument against RCV is that older voters "won't understand it." The data roundly rejects this assumption.

When Utah experimented with RCV in municipal elections across several cities, exit polling conducted by organizations like FairVote showed overwhelmingly positive responses across all age demographics. In places like New York City, Maine, or Alaska, over 85% to 90% of voters consistently report finding the ranked choice ballot simple and easy to use.

Waltham seniors navigate complex grids every single day—whether it's managing prescriptions, filling out Medicare paperwork, or playing the Boston Globe crossword. Marking a "1" next to a favorite candidate and a "2" next to a backup is well within the wheelhouse of any seasoned citizen.

AARP Support for Ranked Choice Voting

To help voters navigate the change to RCV in Washington DC, AARP launched a robust voter education effort, including guides, community events, and partnerships. They recognize that voters 50-plus have long been a driving force in elections.

The Ultimate Safeguard for Civic Power

Waltham’s older generations have earned their place as the bedrock of our local electorate. RCV doesn't dilute that power; it ensures that their ballots are never wasted, their time is respected, and the candidates representing them on Moody Street and beyond are forced to act with the civility this demographic deserves to expect. It isn't a radical experiment—it's a common-sense update that respects the intelligence and the dedication of our most reliable voters.

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