Local Hoboken officials express support for ranked choice voting bill

HOBOKEN – In a press release, Hoboken Councilwoman Emily Jabbour called on state legislative leaders to advance bill A-1801, which permits the use of instant runoff voting in local elections.
“Instant runoff voting is something we would like to explore in Hoboken in order to ensure we do not return to the days of expensive, low-voter turnout runoff elections that are historically susceptible to political gamesmanship and potential election mischief,” Jabbour said. “With the passage of A-1801, we would be allowed to offer ranked choice voting to Hoboken residents, which asks voters on Election Day to list their first, second, and even third choice of candidates, incentivizing positive campaigning and encouraging candidates to appeal to everyone.”
Instant runoff voting is a system that allows each resident to vote for a preferred candidate, as well as alternative choices in order of preference. In the event that no candidate receives a majority of the votes in an election, the people who voted for the last place candidate will have their second choice options added to the total. The process would continue until one candidate is a majority winner.
Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro of Hoboken, a sponsor of the legislation, said she supported the bill and wanted to give municipalities the option.
“Offering ranked choice voting to our municipalities would change the negative dialogue in our campaigns, save money for candidates and the government, and avoid winter runoff elections, which often result in a lower participation rate,” Chaparro said in the press release. “This bill would not force any municipalities into using ranked choice voting, but rather would permit local governments to implement this option should they see fit in their community. I was happy to discuss this important issue with Councilwoman Jabbour, and I hope this bill will move forward expeditiously.”
The bill is currently awaiting a hearing in the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.
“I encourage Hoboken residents to contact their state representative, Assemblywoman Chaparro, and members of the committee, to inform them that this bill is important to you, it has your support, and is crucial to avoiding the days of the past when machine candidates fight to just get to a runoff and then take advantage of low voter turnout in subsequent runoff elections,” Jabbour said in the release.
The city council has already approved of a referendum on November’s ballot which asks the public whether or not the city should reinstate runoff elections.
The council also passed a resolution urging state legislators to consider allowing instant runoff elections in New Jersey.