Concord overwhelmingly passed a Ranked Choice Voting home rule petition at last year’s May 1 Town Meeting. Rep. Gouveia filed it and ours became the 4th RCV Bill in line for the attention of the Joint Committee on Election Laws (other petitions filed by Amherst, Arlington and Northampton). The Committee did not take up any of the four bills in 2022.
Kudos to our State Representatives Cataldo and Gentile for refiling (as Bill H.664) immediately this winter. Yet, unless we remind Beacon Hill of our desire to practice this more democratic way to vote, it could languish in 2023 with the others and require ANOTHER town meeting vote!
This is a no-brainer:
- Concord election officials researched RCV
- The Concord Select Board and League of Women Voters endorsed RCV
- Concord voters overwhelmingly passed RCV May 1, 2022, and allocated the minimal funds to implement
It is “the will of the people.”
Please remind Beacon Hill that Concord is waiting – and watching.
Contact the Joint Committee on Election Laws:
Senate Chair John.Keenan@masenate.gov – (617) 722-1494
House Chair Dan.Ryan@mahouse.gov – (617) 722-2460
Member James.Eldridge@masenate.gov – (617) 722-1120
and ask them to pass: Concord’s RCV Bill (H.664) and MA Local Options Bill (S.433) to do away with this unnecessary step (filed by Sen. Rausch and Rep. Pignatelli).
Give Concord “more choices – more voices.” It takes a village— our village.
Kate Kavanagh
Old Bedford Road
