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Council liaisons briefed on ranked-choice voting proposal and potential November ballot timing
Summary
Liaisons summarized a recent presentation about ranked-choice voting (single- and multi-winner options) and reported that proponents want the measure on the November ballot; liaisons noted implementation complexity, signature requirements and the possibility of placing it on the ballot via petition.
Council liaisons reported a presentation proposing ranked-choice voting for city elections and described the two primary models discussed: single-winner ranked-choice voting for mayoral contests and multi-winner ranked-choice for at-large seats.
Liaisons said the proposal organizers asked council to consider putting ranked-choice voting on the November ballot. They explained implementation choices and signature or charter amendment pathways: a charter change would require a two-thirds approval threshold on the ballot, while a citizen-initiative petition could place an item on the ballot if organizers gather the required signatures. Liaisons said several council members asked for more information and recommended a study session or formal presentation before any council decision.
Liaisons also raised administrative concerns: election administrators warned that ranked-choice voting requires algorithmic tabulation to work efficiently, that hand counts would be slow and confusing, and that implementation would be complicated by Longmont's multi-jurisdictional county environment. Participants noted other Colorado municipalities have discussed or adopted variations of ranked-choice voting and that any ballot timeline to put the issue in November would be accelerated if council wanted to act quickly.
No formal council action or referral was taken during the liaison update; several council members requested additional briefings and a study-session presentation before considering whether to bring a ballot referral forward.
