Is the referendum binding or advisory?
The referendum is binding.
Which Village of Oak Park offices would be elected by RCV?
The referendum proposes that its version of RCV apply to the election of candidates to the offices of Village President and Trustee, but not Village Clerk. It would also not apply to other offices such as board of education members, park district commissioners, township trustees, county commissioners, or other State or federal offices.
If the referendum succeeds, for Village President, a candidate who receives 50% plus one of first rankings, and any candidate for Village Board Trustee who receives 25% plus one of first rankings, will be elected. If no candidate for Village President or Trustee passes their respective threshold of first rankings, the referendum proposes that the candidate for each office with the fewest total votes is eliminated, that each voter’s vote for the eliminated candidate, if any, is transferred to their next-ranked candidate for that office who has not been eliminated, and the vote thresholds are counted again. The referendum proposes that this process repeat until candidates for Village President and Trustee surpass their respective vote thresholds for election.
When would RCV begin in Oak Park?
The referendum proposes that its version of RCV be implemented beginning with the April 2027 consolidated election, which will have open seats for Village Trustee. If the referendum succeeds, RCV would also be used to elect Village Trustees and the Village President going forward, including at the April 2029 consolidated election.
May I vote for only one candidate?
Yes, the version of RCV proposed in the referendum does not require that voters rank all candidates. If the referendum succeeds, a voter may select just one candidate as their preferred choice and choose to not rank additional candidates.
Does RCV mean you get to vote more than once or that you get more than one vote?
No, the version of RCV proposed in the referendum does not allow for more than one vote per voter. If the referendum succeeds, like the current majority vote system, voters would have one vote per open office. The difference is that voters would be able to rank their choices rather than only selecting their first choice.
Can I vote for a write-in candidate?
Yes, the version of RCV proposed in the referendum allows for write-in candidates. If the referendum succeeds, a voter may write in a declared write-in candidate’s name and rank them in the same manner as any candidate whose name is printed on the RCV ballot.
Where is RCV currently used?
Locally, Evanston voters approved a referendum to implement RCV in 2022 to begin with the April 2025 consolidated election. Media reports, however, indicate that the Cook County Clerk will not be implementing that procedure because of limitations in State law and with voting machine technology. Nationally, RCV is used in Alaska and Maine, as well as several municipal jurisdictions, including Minneapolis, New York City, and San Francisco.
How is the State of Illinois addressing RCV?
On August 4, 2023, Public Act 103-467 became law, which requires the State of Illinois to study whether ranked choice voting is a viable election system in the State. A Task Force was established and initially charged with submitting a report on RCV by July 1, 2024. In November 2023, however, the deadline was extended to June 30, 2025. No report has been submitted to date.