In a controversial meeting on Tuesday afternoon (April 15th), two supervisors in Santa Clara County decided to postpone the vote on whether to adopt Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) due to the complexity of implementation and financial issues. The decision to revisit the issue is now set for no earlier than the end of September, with the potential for the county to gain more clarity on various federal funding possibilities.
This motion to delay the vote came from Supervisor Betty Duong of District 2 and Supervisor Susan Ellenberg of District 4 and was resolved during a meeting of the County Finance and Government Operations Committee.
During the meeting, Duong stated, “I am neither firmly in support of nor strongly against Ranked-Choice Voting. However, I do believe that we need more time for comprehensive analysis and preparation to ensure that if it is to be implemented, it must be done responsibly.”
Ellenberg expressed concerns primarily about the financial impact, pointing out that the county could face future cuts in federal assistance, making it difficult to afford the costs of a new voting system. She emphasized, “This is not just a matter of policy preference but also a concern of fiscal prudence.”
While officials focused on operational and budgetary issues, the public was more concerned with the political implications of the proposal. Over 50 residents voiced their opinions during the meeting, either in person or through online comments, with both sides expressing strong stances.
Supporters of Ranked-Choice Voting argue that the system, by allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference, helps enhance the democracy of elections, increases the representation of minority candidate groups, and reduces the costly runoff elections.
“We need a system that gives voters more choices and more opportunities to have their voices heard,” a spokesperson said. “Ranked-Choice Voting can reduce the need for strategic voting and ensure that every candidate has a fair chance at competition.”
However, opponents warned that the system could lead to unforeseen consequences and emphasized the reliability of the current election process.
“Ranked-Choice Voting undermines the fundamental principle of ‘one person, one vote,'” said Larry Stone, who has long served as the county assessor. “This system is confusing, costly, and could potentially result in the winner not being the candidate with the most votes.”
The atmosphere at the meeting grew tense at one point, leading Supervisor Duong to briefly interrupt to restore order. Some attendees held signs reading “Don’t interfere with county elections,” expressing strong grassroots opposition.
Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) is an alternative voting method where voters can rank candidates in order of preference on the ballot (first choice, second choice, third choice, etc.). If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred based on voter preferences to the next preferred candidate. This process continues until a candidate garners majority support.
The system aims to eliminate the need for separate runoff elections and ensure that the elected candidate has broad support. Advocates point out that this system helps reduce negative campaigning, encourages more diverse candidates to run, and enhances voter participation. Critics, however, argue that the implementation of this system is not only complex but also costly and could produce election results inconsistent with the candidate who received the most votes in the initial round.
Currently, Santa Clara County is considering whether to join the ranks of the increasing number of regions nationwide that adopt Ranked-Choice Voting. These regions include San Francisco, Oakland, and other cities in the United States. However, the current vote has been put on hold.