From the CT Voters First Team:

On June 6, Governor Ned Lamont announced the formation of a Working Group To Recommend Options for a Comprehensive System of Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) in Primaries and Municipal Elections, marking a big stride for Connecticut's electoral system. This group of bipartisan and nonpartisan political leaders will work together to develop RCV legislation for consideration during the 2025 legislative session.

Formation of the Working Group

A bipartisan group of political leaders is being brought together, co-chaired by Senator Catherine Osten (D) and Senator Tony Hwang (R), and featuring important elected officials and stakeholders like Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas. CT Voters First Advisory Council Chair Monte Frankwill serve as Vice Chair, bringing a substantial depth of issue understanding and his perspective as a former candidate for statewide office to bear. This team is poised to make pivotal recommendations on integrating RCV into our state's voting practices.

Objective and Mission

The objective is to conduct a thorough analysis of RCV's implementation across the United States, drawing insights from both municipalities and states where RCV has been successful. The end goal is to craft a comprehensive legislative proposal that could allow political parties and municipalities the flexibility to adopt Ranked Choice Voting in their caucuses, conventions, primaries, and certain municipal elections. The Working Group will develop a report of recommendations by the end of the year for consideration during the 2025 legislative session.

What's Next?

The Working Group is expected to present a report detailing their findings and recommendations, along with draft legislation ready to be introduced by Governor Lamont. The group’s inaugural meeting was scheduled for June 14, 2024, and all meetings will be open to the public.

Members:

• Co-Chair: State Senator Cathy Osten(D-Sprague)
• Co-Chair: State Senator Tony Hwang(R-Fairfield)
• Vice Chair: Monte Frank;Chair of CTVF Advisors Council, past President of the Connecticut Bar Association, 2018 candidate for Lt. Governor under the Griebel-Frank for CT Party
• Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz or designee
• Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas or designee
• State Representative Aundré Bumgardner(D-Groton, Stonington)
• State Representative Hilda Santiago (D-Meriden)
• Annalisa Stravato;Republican Registrar-of-Voters for the Town of Wilton, Executive Vice President of the Registrar of Voters Association of Connecticut, former vice chair of the Connecticut Republican Party
• Alexander Russell; Director of the UConn Center for Voting Technology Research
• Dan Rosenthal; Former Democratic First Selectman for the Town of Newtown
• Lindsay Farrell; Senior political strategist for the national Working Families Party
• Ann Reed; Vice President of Advocacy for the League of Women Voters of Connecticut
• Patricia Spruance; Town Clerk for the Town of Windham, President of the Connecticut Town Clerks Association
• Cheri Quickmire; Executive Director of Common Cause in Connecticut

Meeting Schedule

1. Inaugural Meeting of Working Group (Recording) 
   June 14th @ 10 AM
    
2. RCV Experiences In Other Jurisdiction (Recording)
   June 25th @ 3:30 PM
    
3. Addressing Underrepresented Groups with RCV, Including Primaries (Recording)
   July 19th @ 10:00 AM
    
4. Common Questions & Concerns About RCV
   August 2nd @ 10:00 AM
    
5. RCV Implementation; Financial and Legal Questions
   September 6th @ 10:00 AM
    
6. RCV Ballot Design & Concerns
   October 4th @ 10:00 AM
    
7. Recommendations & Final Proposals
   November 8th @10:00 AM

Recent Media

• WATCH: WTNH News Channel 8
  "How will ranked-choice voting work in Connecticut?"
  June 13th — Mike Cerulli

• COLUMN: Chris Powell
  "...Lamont boosts ‘ranked choice’"
  June 11th — New London Day
   
• WATCH: News12 Connecticut
  "Gov. Lamont forms task force to explore ranked choice voting"
  June 10th — John Craven
   
• WATCH: NBC Connecticut
  "Gov. Lamont establishes ranked-choice voting task force"
  June 7th — NBC Staff Report
   
• CT News Junkie
  "Lamont Launches Ranked-Choice Working Group, Wants Findings by Next Session"
  June 7th — Hudson Kamphausen
   
• Hartford Courant
  "Lamont names group to look at changing the way CT votes. Here’s how it would work"
  June 6th — John Craven
   
• Associated Press (republished nationwide)
  "Connecticut’s Democratic governor creates working group to develop ranked-choice voting legislation"
  June 6th — AP Staff Report

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For more information, contact Ann Reed at advocacy [at] lwvct.org or info [at] ctvotersfirst.com