Massachusetts Lawmakers Hear Testimony on Ranked-Choice Voting for Boston and Bedford

BOSTON — February 10, 2026 — The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Election Laws heard unanimous testimony Tuesday in favor of ranked-choice voting home rule petitions for Boston and Bedford. House Chair Daniel J. Hunt and Senate Chair John F. Keenan presided as more than a dozen witnesses — including Boston City Councilors Ruthzee Louijeune, Ben Weber, and Henry Santana, along with Boston City Council President Tania Fernandes Anderson — urged the committee to advance H.4262 and H.4916 and allow local voters to decide the question. Witnesses cited a 2020 statewide ballot question on which 62 percent of Boston voters supported ranked-choice voting and recent polling showing 64 percent of Massachusetts voters back letting cities and towns adopt the system. Cheryl Claiborne Crawford of Massachusetts Voter Education Network said at least 10 Massachusetts communities representing more than one million residents have passed home rule petitions for ranked-choice voting. Even if the legislature acts, Boston voters would still face a binding referendum before the system could take effect.