In a democracy, the strength of our institutions is measured by their ability to evolve while maintaining stability. In Connecticut, this balance is at the heart of legislative decision-making, ensuring that electoral reforms are deliberate, pragmatic, and responsive to public needs.
That is precisely the approach the Governor’s Working Group on Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) took over the past year, and the result is a well-reasoned, narrowly tailored proposal that deserves passage by the General Assembly.
The Working Group, formed at the direction of Gov. Ned Lamont, was a diverse, bipartisan panel of legislators, election officials, academics, and civic leaders, co-chaired by Sens. Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) and Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield). Its membership included representatives from across Connecticut’s political landscape: local election administrators, good-government advocates, a former first selectman, and a director from the University of Connecticut’s Center for Voting Technology Research.
Over the course of a series of public meetings and a public hearing that gathered input from across the state, the group examined every aspect of ranked choice voting —its mechanics, impact on voters and candidates, implementation challenges, and potential applications in Connecticut. The Working Group’s process was thorough, transparent, and guided by expertise.
The resulting recommendations are anything but sweeping or rushed. Instead, they propose a measured path forward, fully in line with Connecticut’s reputation for steady, responsible governance.
The Government Administration & Elections Committee is currently considering legislation based on the final recommendations of the Working Group. We are advocating that they pass it out of committee and that leaders in the House and Senate ensure it receives a full floor debate and vote this year.
The proposal would allow RCV in presidential preference primaries, party primaries, and as an optional reform for municipalities in certain local elections. This is not a mandate —it is an opportunity for political parties and local governments to modernize their elections if they choose. It is an approach that acknowledges both the benefits of RCV and the importance of giving communities the ability to determine what works best for them.
The Working Group’s process was notable for its depth and inclusivity. From the first meeting, co-chairs Osten and Hwang emphasized the importance of engaging a broad range of perspectives. We heard from election officials in other states, including Maine and Utah, where RCV has been successfully implemented.
We listened to party leaders, including Democrats in New York City and Republicans in Virginia, who praised the benefits of RCV. We examined real-world data on voter participation, electoral outcomes, and administrative feasibility. We addressed common concerns—such as ballot design, voter education, and cost—and reviewed best practices from jurisdictions already using RCV.
During these discussions, several key findings emerged. First, RCV has been shown to increase voter engagement by allowing voters to express their preferences more fully. In cities and states where it has been adopted, RCV has encouraged more positive, issue-based campaigning, as candidates must appeal to a broader range of voters to secure second- and third-choice rankings. It has also ensured that winning candidates have majority support, preventing outcomes where nominees win with a small plurality in crowded races.
Additionally, RCV offers a practical solution to the problem of discarded votes in presidential primaries, particularly for early and absentee voters. In traditional primaries, ballots cast for candidates who later drop out of the race are effectively wasted. With RCV, these votes remain meaningful, as voters’ second choices are counted if their first choice is no longer viable. This safeguard alone is a compelling reason to implement RCV in presidential preference primaries, ensuring that Connecticut voters’ voices are fully heard, no matter when they cast their ballots.
The proposal also aligns with Connecticut’s broader commitment to fair and representative elections. The state has already taken significant steps to expand voter access, enacting early voting and no-excuse absentee balloting in recent years. It also leads the nation in clean election practices through the Citizens’ Election Program (CEP), which enjoys near-universal participation among state legislative candidates. RCV is a natural next step—one that modernizes our elections while respecting the deliberative approach that defines Connecticut’s policymaking process.
Opponents of RCV often frame it as a drastic change, but Connecticut’s proposed legislation is anything but. It is a carefully constructed, bipartisan effort that embraces flexibility, allowing local governments and political parties to adopt RCV at their discretion. It does not upend Connecticut’s election system; rather, it enhances it by ensuring that votes are counted in a way that reflects the will of the majority.
After months of careful study, including direct engagement with the public through hearings and discussions, the Working Group has provided a roadmap that is both pragmatic and forward-looking. Now, it is up to legislators to act.
The time is right for Connecticut to take this next step in strengthening its democracy. By passing this legislation and properly funding our elections processes and voter education, lawmakers will reaffirm the state’s commitment to fair elections, voter empowerment, and thoughtful, well-reasoned reform.
A thoughtful bill reflecting the Working Group’s recommendations has been called for a public hearing in the Government Administration and Elections (GAE) Committee. I urge its support and passage.
Monte Frank served as Vice Chair of the Working Group. He practices law with Pullman & Comley, is a former president of the Connecticut Bar Association, and was a candidate for lieutenant governor in 2018. Dan Rosenthal served as a member of the Governor’s Working Group on Ranked Choice Voting. He was elected Newtown’s First Selectman in 2017, served in that role until 2023 and was re-elected as a third-party candidate.