Advocates outline ranked-choice voting plan; council raises timing, implementation questions

Advocates for ranked-choice voting presented a proposal to the Town of Cheverly and asked the council to consider studying adoption. Carlos Sobiger, a Ward 4 resident and member of Progressive Cheverly, said advocates provided draft ordinance language and outreach materials to the town and recommended a deliberate implementation timeline.

"We wrote a proposal, which we include in your materials," Sobiger said, and urged the council to continue the conversation while organizers help educate residents. Michelle Whitaker, executive director of RCV Maryland, explained the mechanics with a simple demonstration and emphasized that "the goal in a ranked choice voting election is to get to a majority." Whitaker described options for hand counts, ballot design, and equipment upgrades and said jurisdictions including Takoma Park, Arlington County, and the District of Columbia have used the method.

Council members focused on feasibility and timing. Questions from Councilmember Tansey and the vice mayor asked whether the volunteer election board would face a heavier workload; Whitaker said implementation has "minimal impact" on administration once procedures are set and emphasized voter education. Legal counsel said he would research whether the town could lawfully apply a change to the next scheduled election; advocates recommended targeting 2028 rather than rushing to 2027 to allow time for training and outreach.

The Board of Elections chair, Robin Kaye, told the council the board has already studied ranked-choice voting and reached out to Takoma Park for lessons learned, and she said the board is prepared to support implementation if the council directs further study. Several residents asked that the council publish more background data locally before taking formal steps.

Next steps: advocates and staff agreed to supply additional implementation data and sample language; the council did not vote on adoption and said it would revisit the issue after receiving further information and legal guidance.