Rank My Vote initiates Michigan statewide petition drive for ranked choice voting

The May 12, 2025, Regular Business Meeting of the City of Kalamazoo focused on community engagement and upcoming initiatives, particularly regarding ranked choice voting. The meeting began with a public comment period where a representative from the "Rank My Vote" campaign shared significant updates on their efforts to implement ranked choice voting in Michigan.

The speaker highlighted the successful collection of 3,200 signatures from Kalamazoo residents, which led to the approval of a ranked choice voting amendment on the municipal ballot in November 2023, receiving 71% support. This initiative follows similar successful campaigns in East Lansing, Royal Oak, and Ann Arbor, where voters also approved charter amendments favoring ranked choice voting.

Looking ahead, the campaign aims to launch a statewide petition drive to amend the Michigan constitution, requiring 611,231 signatures from registered voters. The speaker called for volunteers to assist with this effort, emphasizing the need for community involvement in collecting signatures and other support roles, including data entry and fundraising.

Additionally, the speaker encouraged monetary donations to cover costs associated with printing, collecting, and validating petitions, as well as legal expenses to ensure compliance with Michigan's constitutional amendment process. Interested individuals were invited to volunteer or donate through the campaign's website.

The meeting concluded with a reminder for citizens to engage with the campaign at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market every Saturday morning, reinforcing the importance of community participation in local governance. The public comment period was then closed, with appreciation expressed for those who contributed their thoughts during the meeting.