Burlington VT RCV Bill To Become Law

Ranked-Choice-Voting is (RCV) returning to Burlington, Vermont. On Thursday, Gov. Phil Scott (R) allowed a Bill changing the City Charter to become Law without his signature.

The enactment of H.744 Reinstates a Voting system that Burlingtonians Repealed after a controversial Mayoral Race more than a Decade ago.

This time, only City Councilors will be chosen by RCV, which allows Voters to Rank Candidates in Order-of-Preference. If No Candidate receives a Majority of Votes, Lesser-Ranked Choices come into play, to determine a Winner.

In a Letter to Lawmakers, Scott said he allowed the Bill to become Law because of its limited scope. But he wouldn't sign it because he's Opposed instituting RCV Statewide. "I believe one person should get one vote," Scott wrote, "and candidates who get the most votes should win elections."

But this is Winning with less than an Majority of the Voters Electing a Winner.

RCV fell out of favor after the 2009 Mayoral Race, which crowned Progressive Bob Kiss the Winner, even though he Failed to Win the most First-Place Votes over Three Rounds of Voting. He Defeated Major Party Candidates Kurt Wright (R) who got the Most Votes in the First and Second rounds, but fell short of 50%, and Andy Montroll (D), who received the Most First and Second-place Votes. Voters Repealed the system in 2010.

Scott reflected on the drama in his Letter, writing that the Election "yielded flawed results." "Nevertheless, the political winds have shifted and once again Burlington voters, for now, favor ranked choice voting," Scott said.

Indeed, more than 60% of Voters Approved the Ballot Measure in March 2021. RCV will make its comeback on Town Meeting Day 2023.

The Bill was One of Several Burlington Charter Changes that Lawmakers vetted this session.

In April, Scott signed into Law a Bill allowing the City to Charge Carbon Taxes on Owners of Properties heated with Fossil Fuels.

Earlier this month, however, he Vetoed a Measure that would have required Landlords to have a "just cause" to Evict Tenants in Burlington. A subsequent Override Vote failed by One Vote.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker