Bill > SF459

This bill prohibits the use of ranked choice voting (RCV) or instant runoff voting (IRV) in all elections throughout Iowa, including statewide, local government, and other electoral contests. The bill defines ranked choice voting and instant runoff voting as a voting method where voters rank candidates by preference, and ballot tabulation occurs in multiple rounds where candidates are either elected or eliminated based on vote totals, with votes being transferred to next-preferred candidates until a candidate receives a majority or all positions are filled. Specifically, the bill amends two existing sections of Iowa's election code (Sections 43.37 and 49.93) to explicitly ban these voting methods in any election, including those for incorporated and unincorporated cities, towns, counties, schools, and other political subdivisions. The bill ensures that traditional voting methods, where voters select only one candidate per office, remain the standard practice in Iowa elections. By introducing these amendments, the legislation aims to maintain the current electoral system and prevent the implementation of alternative voting methodologies like ranked choice voting.

Government Affairs

State Government (Senate)

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF459