Ranked Choice Voting Gains Support at Longmont City Council

Residents voice enthusiasm for electoral reform, setting stage for potential 2026 ballot measure

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Ranked choice voting (RCV) took center stage at a recent Longmont City Council meeting, drawing an outpouring of public support and setting the stage for a potential ballot measure that could reshape how the city conducts its elections. Residents expressed a desire for more collaborative governance, with many arguing that RCV would be a positive step in that direction.

Why it matters

The discussion underscored a growing appetite among Longmont residents for electoral reform, even as practical questions around cost, certification, and public readiness remain to be worked through. The council's openness to considering a voter-led RCV ballot measure reflects the broader national trend of cities and states exploring alternatives to traditional voting systems.

The details

During the meeting, several residents carrying 'RCV 4 Longmont' signs voiced their support for the voting system, which allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the first-choice votes, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated, and their voters' second choices are counted. This process continues until a candidate reaches a majority. Former mayoral candidate Shakeel Dalal and local teacher Thomas Baker were among the 17 speakers who advocated for RCV, citing its fairness and the positive experiences of students using the system in school elections.

  • The Longmont City Council meeting took place on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.

The players

Shakeel Dalal

A former mayoral candidate who set the tone for the discussion by describing how the current voting system requires residents to 'become game theorists' and 'vote for the lesser of two evils'.

Thomas Baker

A local middle school teacher who shared his students' positive experiences with ranked choice voting in school elections, describing it as 'incredibly fair'.

Susie Hidalgo-Fahring

The mayor of Longmont, who reminded attendees that any change to the city's voting system would require a revision to the city charter and a direct vote by Longmont residents.

Sean McCoy

The mayor pro tem, who emphasized the importance of allowing adequate time for a successful voter education campaign before any ballot measure referral.

Dawn Quintana

The Longmont city clerk, who provided an informational presentation on the RCV methods currently certified in Colorado, the financial costs associated with switching voting systems, and the voter education requirements.

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What they’re saying

“Anyone who's ever been pressured to not throw away their vote on a third party candidate or told that they must vote for the lesser of two evils to avoid a spoiler has been a victim of this game.”

— Shakeel Dalal, Former mayoral candidate (yellowscene.com)

“A bunch of kids like this so it must be a cool idea.”

— Thomas Baker, Local middle school teacher (yellowscene.com)

What’s next

If community members gather enough signatures on a petition before the next election cycle, Longmont City Council members indicated they would treat that as a clear signal to place a ranked choice voting measure on the 2026 ballot.

The takeaway

The Longmont City Council meeting highlighted a growing appetite among residents for electoral reform, with ranked choice voting emerging as a popular alternative to the traditional voting system. While practical questions remain, the council's openness to considering a voter-led RCV ballot measure reflects the broader national trend of cities and states exploring alternatives to traditional voting.