RCV Bills In 2024

75 Bills introduced in Legislative 2024 sessions so far on Ranked-Choice-Voting (RCV).

Republican Legislators have introduced New RCV Prohibitions in Five States so far this year. These efforts come after Republican-Sponsored Bans were Approved in Three States last year. The number of Active Bills supporting RCV continues to Outnumber those Banning or Repealing RCV.

Of the 75 RCV Bills currently Active in State Legislatures:

- 55 would Allow or Require a New use of RCV, including Two bills in Florida that would Repeal a Statewide Ban.

- Nine would Ban or otherwise Prohibit its use.

- Three in Alaska, would Repeal existing use of RCV.

- Eight would make Changes to existing uses of RCV or Authorize Studies on the use of RCV.

- 23 of the 75 Bills were introduced this year. One of the 23, introduced this year has advanced beyond the initial stage: Republican-sponsored SB355 in Georgia.

SB355, Prohibits the use of RCV, passed the Georgia Senate 31-19 on Jan. 26th. No jJrisdiction in Georgia, which has a Republican Trifecta, use RCV. Military and Overseas Voters, use RCV when Voting in Runoff Elections. The Legislation makes an Exception for these Voters.

- The remaining 52 were introduced in 2023 and carried over to current Legislative Sessions.

Of the remaining Bills introduced since the beginning of this year:

- Republicans have sponsored Five in Four States: Arizona, Missouri, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. All Five Bills would Ban RCV. One other Republican-Sponsored Ban has been Pre-Filed in Oklahoma, where the Session begins on Feb. 5th.

Democrats have sponsored 17 Bills in Nine States. Fifteen of these Bills would newly Allow or Require the use of RCV for certain Elections.

Of the Bills carried over, only Alaska’s AB4 has Advanced. It would Repeal the State’s use of RCV, and Open Top-Four Primary system. Voters Approved the use of both systems in 2020, when they Passed Alaska Ballot Measure 2, 50.55% to 49.45%. The Repeal Bill was Voted out of the House Judiciary Committee with a favorable Recommendation on Jan. 18th, with Republicans sponsored AB4.

Separately, the Group "Alaskans for Honest Elections" submitted around 42,000 Signatures on Jan. 12th to the Division of Elections, in Support of the Alaska Repeal Top-Four Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative. The Campaign needs 26,705 Valid Signatures, for the Measure to move to the next step in the process, the Alaska Legislature. The Legislature can Approve the Initiative or let it go to the Ballot for Voters to decide on Nov. 5th.

Other noteworthy Bills carried over from 2023 include:

- Wisconsin’s AB563, a Bipartisan RCV Bill with 11 Democratic and Republican Sponsors apiece. The Bill, which received a Public Hearing on Jan. 9th, would implement RCV for Congressional Elections. Wisconsin currently has a Divided Government, with Democrats controlling the Governorship, and Republicans controlling both Chambers of the Legislature.

- Maine’s LD1991, a Democratic-Sponsored Bill, that would have Expanded the use of RCV for a Number of Statewide Primary Elections, including Governor and Congress. On Jan. 17th, Maine Lawmakers recommended the Bill ought Not-to-Pass. Maine has a Democratic Trifecta.

Hawaii uses RCV for Special Congressional Elections. Thirteen other States use RCV in some Local Elections.

Five States with Republican Trifectas: Florida, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, and Tennessee, have Passed Laws Banning or Pprohibiting the Use of RCV Statewide. The Five State Bans have All occurred since 2022, each through Legislation.

Two States: Nevada and Oregon, are currently scheduled to Vote on Ballot Measures this year, that would establish New uses of RCV.









NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker