government
Irvine puts ranked-choice voting on the November ballot — with a caveat
By Cato Hernández at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· July 15, 2026
· 3 min read
An Orange County voter casts his ballot in November 2025.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)Irvine voters will have an important question at the ballot box in November: Do you want ranked-choice voting?Late Tuesday, the City Council agreed to place a measure that would switch ...
Key takeaway Late Tuesday, the City Council agreed to place a measure that would switch council and mayoral elections to the system in 2028, as long as the cost stays within certain parameters.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The decision to put ranked-choice voting on the November ballot in Irvine has significant implications for the city's electoral process. If approved, Irvine would join a growing list of California cities, including Redondo Beach in Los Angeles County, that have adopted this system. The potential benefits of ranked-choice voting, including fairer outcomes and more broadly-supported winners, could lead to a shift in the city's political landscape. However, the financial concerns surrounding the implementation of this system are a major consideration, given Irvine's projected deficit of $47 million by the end of the decade. The compromise reached by the City Council, which includes a hard cap on costs, reflects the need to balance the potential benefits of ranked-choice voting with the city's fiscal realities. As Irvine voters consider this measure, they will need to weigh the potential advantages of this system against the potential costs and logistical challenges.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: government ·
Published: July 15, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? An Orange County voter casts his ballot in November 2025.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)Irvine voters will have an important question at the ballot box in November: Do you want ranked-choice voting?Late Tuesday, the City Council agreed to place a measure that would switch ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 15, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Cato Hernández at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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