FairVote RI Director Ari Savitzky testified last week in front of the Providence City Council about a cluster of proposals intended to introduce at-large seats to the council.
Savitzky argued that some of the plans up for consideration wouldn't accomplish the important goals of increasing minority representation and increased competition. If they were implemented in the wrong way, at-large seats might also make it enormously expensive to compete in the city-wide races.
FairVote RI has proposed a form of choice voting for City Council at-large seats. Under choice voting, voters rank candidates in order of preference. Choice voting could potentially increase minority representation, and would ensure a meaningful vote for every Providence resident.