Bill > HF683

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for ranked choice voting (RCV) in local elections across Minnesota, allowing cities, school districts, and counties to voluntarily adopt this alternative voting method after January 1, 2026. Under ranked choice voting, voters can rank candidates in order of preference instead of voting for just one candidate, with ballots automatically redistributing votes from less popular candidates to voters' next preferred choices until a candidate reaches the winning threshold. The bill provides detailed guidelines for implementing RCV, including specific ballot design requirements, vote tabulation procedures for both single-seat and multiple-seat elections, and technical specifications for voting systems. Local jurisdictions can only adopt RCV through a voter ballot question, must provide clear instructions to voters, and are required to notify the secretary of state after adoption. The bill mandates that voting systems used for RCV must have advanced capabilities like capturing and storing ballot data, supporting multiple candidate rankings, and providing voter error notifications. The legislation also establishes comprehensive rules for vote counting, including procedures for handling write-in candidates, resolving ties, and conducting post-election reviews. Additionally, the bill appropriates funding to the secretary of state to support the implementation of ranked choice voting across Minnesota's local jurisdictions.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0683&ssn=0&y=2025