Bill > SF561

This bill modifies existing Iowa election law to allow local government elections to be conducted using ranked choice voting (RCV) or instant runoff voting (IRV). Under these methods, voters can rank candidates in order of preference instead of selecting just one candidate. When ballots are counted, candidates with the fewest votes are eliminated in rounds, and their votes are redistributed to voters' next-ranked candidates. This process continues until a candidate receives a majority of votes or the number of elected candidates matches the number of open offices. The bill defines "local government" broadly to include cities, towns, counties, schools, and other political subdivisions. The legislation amends two sections of the Iowa Code (43.37 and 49.93) to permit this voting method, while maintaining existing rules about the maximum number of candidates a voter can select. By allowing RCV/IRV, the bill provides local jurisdictions with an alternative voting method that can potentially reduce vote splitting and allow voters to express more nuanced preferences in elections.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF561