Bill > SF1892

This bill introduces a comprehensive framework for implementing ranked choice voting (RCV) in local elections across Minnesota, providing detailed guidelines for its adoption and implementation. After January 1, 2026, home rule charter and statutory cities, school districts, and counties may voluntarily adopt ranked choice voting through a ballot question, with the stipulation that they can only use it for local elections and must provide public notice of adoption. The bill establishes extensive definitions and procedures for RCV, including how ballots should be designed (allowing voters to rank up to three candidates), how votes will be tabulated in both single-seat and multiple-seat elections, and how results will be reported. Specifically, the voting process involves redistributing votes from less popular candidates to voters' next-ranked choices until a candidate reaches the required threshold, with different mathematical procedures for single-seat and multi-seat elections. The bill also mandates specific requirements for voting systems used in RCV, such as the ability to capture and store ballot data, provide at least three rankings, and notify voters of potential ballot errors. Additionally, the legislation requires detailed post-election reporting, including round-by-round tabulation results, and provides mechanisms for recounts and post-election reviews. To support implementation, the bill includes an appropriation for the secretary of state to cover associated costs and requires the development of administrative rules to govern the new voting method.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF1892&ssn=0&y=2025