Bill > S06302

This bill mandates that municipal elections in New York City will transition to an "instant run-off" or "ranked choice" voting system. Under ranked choice voting, voters can rank candidates in order of preference instead of selecting just one candidate. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their voters' second-choice preferences are redistributed until a candidate achieves a majority. The bill removes existing provisions for traditional run-off elections between the top two candidates, effectively replacing them with this more nuanced voting method. The changes will apply to all municipal elections in New York City starting January 1, 2026, giving election officials and voters time to prepare for and adapt to the new voting system. By implementing ranked choice voting, the bill aims to provide voters with more flexibility in expressing their preferences and potentially elect candidates with broader support across the electorate.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6302