IRVINE, Calif. — The Irvine City Council will consider moving forward with Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) on Tuesday night, even as city staff warn that Irvine faces more than $15 million in projected budget deficits over the next two fiscal years.

The proposal, introduced by Councilmembers Kathleen Treseder, Betty Martinez Franco, and Melinda Liu, would establish Ranked-Choice Voting for Irvine municipal elections beginning in 2028. Under the system, voters rank candidates in order of preference, with votes redistributed through successive rounds until one candidate receives a majority.

Earlier on the same agenda, the City Council will receive a comprehensive budget update showing Irvine facing an estimated $6.3 million General Fund deficit in Fiscal Year 2025-26 and an additional $9.1 million deficit in Fiscal Year 2026-27. To close the current year’s budget gap, city staff are recommending the use of $6.3 million in one-time funds from the City’s Asset Management Plan Fund.

The staff report states that initial Ranked-Choice Voting elections could cost two to three times more than traditional elections, with some estimates suggesting costs could be as much as four times higher. Irvine’s most recent municipal election cost approximately $337,000; future Ranked-Choice Voting elections could exceed $400,000, not including extensive voter education programs estimated at $189,000 to $487,000.

If approved, Irvine would become the first city in Orange County to adopt Ranked-Choice Voting.