1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong support for House Bill 2210, which would strengthen and secure fair elections in local governments through ranked choice voting. This bill represents a meaningful opportunity to improve democratic representation in Washington communities. Ranked choice voting addresses a fundamental problem in our current electoral system: candidates can win with only a plurality of votes rather than majority support. This reform ensures that elected officials truly represent the will of their constituents by requiring winners to achieve broader consensus. When voters can rank candidates in order of preference, elections better reflect community priorities and reduce the influence of vote splitting that can lead to unrepresentative outcomes. This system also encourages more civil campaigns. Because candidates benefit from being voters' second or third choice, they have incentive to appeal to a broader base rather than relying solely on negative campaigning against opponents. Communities that have implemented ranked choice voting report more substantive policy discussions and less divisive rhetoric during election seasons. House Bill 2210 specifically focuses on local government elections, where this reform can have immediate impact on city councils, county commissions, and other bodies that directly affect residents' daily lives. Local elections often feature multiple candidates with similar platforms, making ranked choice voting particularly valuable for distinguishing voter preferences and ensuring majority support for winners. The bill is currently scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations. I urge you to support this legislation as it moves through the committee process and to vote yes when it reaches the floor. Ranked choice voting has proven successful in jurisdictions across the country, and Washington communities deserve the opportunity to adopt this system for fairer, more representative local elections. I appreciate your consideration of this important electoral reform.