Why does Cambridge vote using Proportional Representation (PR)?
The City of Cambridge voters elected to use PR voting and have voted this way for over 80 years!
Which Cambridge elections use PR voting?
Cambridge will only use PR in Municipal Elections for city offices including:
- City Council
- School Committee
What are the benefits of PR voting?
PR uses ranked choice ballots. There are several ways that ranked choice voting could benefit Cambridge voters:
- It gives you more say in who gets elected. Even if your top choice candidate does not win, you can still help choose who does.
- It gives you more choices. You can rank up to fifteen candidates, allowing you to support your favorite candidate without worrying about whether they’re likely to win.
- More diverse candidates win elections. Cities that have implemented ranked choice voting have elected more women and more women of color, making their elected officials more representative of their communities.
For more information on Cambridge Municipal Elections, Proportional Representation and the November 4, 2025, Municipal Election please go to the Cambridge Municipal Election webpage.
Where can I view the ranked choice ballots to elect candidates for the upcoming 2025 Municipal Election?
You can rank up to fifteen candidates for City Council and School Committee. Click the links below to view specimen ballots:
How to Fill Out Your Ranked Choice Ballot
With Ranked Choice Voting, you can rank the candidates in order of preference instead of choosing just one. Here's how to fill out your ballot:
- Mark your choices by completely filling in the numbered ovals
- Fill in the number one (1) oval next to your first choice. Fill in the number two (2) oval next to your second choice, and so on.
- You don't need to rank all the candidates; you may fill in as many or as few choices as you please.
Example: Correct Marking
Example: Incorrect Markings
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I vote for just one candidate?
Yes! You can vote for just your 1st choice candidate. However, ranking other candidates does not harm your 1st choice. If your 1st and only choice is eliminated, your vote will have no influence on the outcome of the election.
What if I wish to vote for a candidate who isn’t on the ballot?
To vote for a candidate whose name is not on the ballot, write the name on the “Write-in” line and fill in a numbered oval to rank your write-in choice.
Will the ballot scanner tell me if I voted my ballot incorrectly?
If you vote in person, the ballot scanner will let you know if you give multiple candidates the same ranking, or if you give one candidate more than one ranking. If you make a mistake, you can ask a poll worker for a new ballot. Just be aware the new ballot might list the candidates in a different order. The candidates’ names are rotated on ranked choice ballots so every candidate appears in the desirable top-of-the ballot position on an equal number of ballots.
Try a Practice Ranked Choice Ballot
This practice version of a ranked choice ballot isn’t exactly like the real thing. With the real ranked choice ballot you can rank up to 15 candidates in order of preference, will have actual candidate names and lines to write-in the name of a candidate not on the ballot. On the practice ranked choice ballot you can only rank up to 5 candidates in order of preference and there are no write-in lines.
Practice Ballot Instructions
You can rank up to five candidates in order of preference instead of choosing just one. Here’s how to fill out your ballot:
- Mark your choices by completely filling in the numbered ovals
- Fill in the number one (1) oval next to your first choice. Fill in the number two (2) oval next to your second choice, and so on.
- You don't need to rank all the candidates; you may fill in as many or as few choices as you please.
Ready to rank candidates? When you are done voting click Check this Ballot and we’ll let you know if you filled it out correctly or if there were errors.
Rank up to 5 choices
Only rank one candidate per column
Don't rank any candidate more than once
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Candidate 4 |
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Candidate 5 |
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