If approved by state lawmakers, Jersey City and Hoboken could begin the process to use ranked-choice voting as soon as next year.

Jersey City and Hoboken have both approved ordinances that would allow voters to decide by referendum on introducing the ranked-choice voting, where voters rank their preferences for office until one nominee wins a majority. Jersey City Councilman James Solomon said his city is ready once the state lawmakers pass a bill allowing municipalities the option of the voting system.

“It encourages more people to participate,” said Jersey City Cuncilman James Solomon. “It reduces toxic campaigning, because it reduces the incentive for campaigners to be negative against their opponents. It allows voters to truly pick their first choice and not engage in strategic voting.”

State Sen. Andrew Zwicker has repeatedly introduced bills that would allow municipalities to follow this option, but they’ve never gotten much traction in Trenton. Yesterday, he spoke at a ranked-choice voting event at Stockton University, and made the case for the latest version of his bill.

“Anyone could come and go, ‘Well, I really love the Green Party. I’m going to vote for the Green Party candidate first, [and] I’m going to vote for a Democrat or Republican second,” he said. “That’s exactly how it should work.”

Zwicker’s bill could have bipartisan support, as Republican state Sen. Vince Polistina also attended yesterday’s event at Stockton and spoke in favor of it.

“From the standpoint of increasing voter turnout, giving more candidates an opportunity, giving more people a voice, I think you would see more people engaged, more people taking advantage of it,” he said. “So from that standpoint of getting more people involved, I think it would be a great thing.”