NYC Voters Approve Ballot Measure 6, Expanding Ranked Choice Voting
New York City voters approved Ballot Measure 6 today, expanding ranked choice voting to all municipal elections, including those for local judges and district attorneys.
The measure, decided in the election held yesterday, November 5, 2025, passed with approximately 55% of the vote, according to preliminary results. This extends a system initially implemented for primary and special elections for city council and other offices in 2021. Ranked choice voting allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, potentially avoiding runoff elections and ensuring a majority winner.
Proponents of the measure argued it would lead to more representative outcomes and encourage candidates to appeal to a broader base of voters. Opponents raised concerns about voter confusion and the complexity of the system. The Board of Elections will now begin preparations for implementing the expanded system in future elections. This change could significantly alter the dynamics of judicial and prosecutorial races in the city.
“This is a victory for democracy in New York City,” said a representative from Fair Vote New York, a non-partisan organization advocating for electoral reform. “Expanding ranked choice voting will empower voters and ensure that our elected officials truly represent the will of the people.” More information about ranked choice voting can be found at USA.gov.
City officials stated they will be conducting public education campaigns to ensure voters understand the new system before the next municipal elections in 2026.
