Fulop Shows Support for Ranked Choice Voting

Jersey City Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Steven Fulop recently took to X to express his commitment to Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) and same-day voter registration statewide if elected. In his tweet, Fulop reiterated his support for these reforms, describing them as “common sense changes” essential to creating a government that works for the people rather than political bosses and lobbyists.

“If elected Governor, I will push right away for Ranked Choice Voting and same day voter registration statewide. I’ve been on the record a long time for these common sense changes,” wrote Mayor Steven Fulop. “If we are going to get a better government that works for the people and not a govt controlled by the political bosses/lobbyists then we need to include the most voters in the process.”

What Is Ranked Choice Voting?

Ranked Choice Voting is an alternative electoral system that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one. If no candidate secures a majority in the first round of voting, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to the voters’ second-choice picks. This process repeats until one candidate achieves a majority.

With RCV already implemented in states like Maine and Alaska, Fulop’s endorsement adds to the growing momentum for the system nationwide.

Same-Day Voter Registration: Expanding Access

In addition to RCV, Fulop supports same-day voter registration, a reform that allows eligible voters to register and cast their ballot on Election Day.

Currently, New Jersey requires voters to register weeks in advance, a hurdle that some say disenfranchises many eligible voters. Same-day registration is already in place in 22 states and Washington, D.C.

Broader Hudson County Conversation

Fulop’s push for election reform is not happening in isolation. Union City Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack has also criticized the status quo, particularly North Bergen’s lack of early voting options during the recent election cycle. In a letter to North Bergen residents, Stack described the absence of early voting sites in the township as “a complete disenfranchisement of voters.”

Stack noted that while the rest of Hudson County provided nine days of early voting, North Bergen voters had to travel to other municipalities to cast their ballots.

“Without having any Early Voting option in your Township, North Bergen voters spoke loudly and still went to other areas of our 33rd District to vote,” Stack wrote. “There were over 4,000 North Bergen voters who voted early. That’s 12% of the 34,120 registered voters in North Bergen.”

In his letter, Stack committed to petitioning the Hudson County Board of Elections and the New Jersey Secretary of State to ensure early voting is available in North Bergen starting in June 2025.

“After seeing these numbers, you have my commitment to petition the Hudson County Board of Elections and the New Jersey Secretary of State to ensure that early voting is available in North Bergen’s future elections, starting in June 2025.”