Bill > H5275

This bill establishes an instant runoff form of ranked choice voting (RCV) specifically for general assembly primary elections when three or more candidates are running. Under this system, voters can rank candidates in order of preference on their ballot, marking "1" for their first choice, "2" for their second choice, and so on. In the vote counting process, if no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to voters' next-ranked candidates. This process continues until a candidate receives a majority. The bill provides detailed definitions for terms like "active candidate" and "ranking," and specifies how ballots are counted in each round of tabulation. Election officials will be required to report additional data about ballot processing, including how many ballots become inactive during the counting process. The state board of elections will be responsible for creating rules and regulations to implement this new voting method. Importantly, this ranked choice voting system will only apply to general assembly primary elections and will take effect on January 1, 2026, giving election officials time to prepare for the new voting process.

Government Affairs

https://status.rilegislature.gov/