Council hears ranked-choice voting presentation; no decision tonight

Colleen, executive director of Utah Ranked Choice Voting, presented an overview of ranked-choice voting (RCV) to the Oakley City Council and answered questions about local experience, auditing and administrative implications.

Colleen explained that on a ranked ballot “voters rank the candidates in their order of preference,” and that if no candidate receives more than 50% of first-choice votes, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated and votes are redistributed until someone achieves a majority. She told the council the system can eliminate the need for a primary election and that some Utah cities have used RCV in recent municipal cycles.

Why it matters: Adopting RCV would change Oakley’s municipal election schedule and ballot counting. Colleen said a city that opts in notifies its county clerk and the lieutenant governor (she cited a May 1 notification deadline); the council discussed an internal deadline for making a decision at or before its second April meeting.

Presenter points and local experience Colleen described Utah’s pilot use of RCV: dozens of municipalities have tried it in recent years, and in 2023 she said 12 cities and three counties used RCV. She noted mixed reactions in some cities and cautioned the practice requires voter education and administrative support. “It encourages more civil, issue-based campaigns,” Colleen said, arguing candidates may seek second- and third-choice votes from voters who support other candidates.

She also told council members RCV can reduce election costs by removing a separate primary for city races and that county election systems in Utah can tabulate RCV results. Colleen said audits are possible and that preliminary results can be shown before the official canvas, similar to other elections.

Council discussion and next steps Council members asked whether Park County Clerk Diaz would support running RCV elections; Colleen said she had spoken with the Park County clerk and described that clerk as supportive. Council member Kelly said she supported the idea in nonpartisan races and highlighted potential city budget savings from skipping a primary.

No formal motion was made. The council agreed to continue discussion at a future meeting; the mayor noted the council would need to act by the council’s second April meeting if it intends to notify the clerk and lieutenant governor by May 1.