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SF1804 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Ranked choice voting authorization provision; Procedures for adoption, implementation, and use of ranked choice voting for local jurisdictions establishment provision; appropriation

AI Generated Summary

This bill, Minnesota Senate File No. 1804, proposes the authorization and implementation of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) for local elections in Minnesota. It establishes procedures for adopting and conducting RCV elections for cities, counties, and school districts if approved by voters.

Key Provisions:

  1. Local Governments Can Adopt RCV

    • Home rule charter and statutory cities, counties, and school districts may adopt Ranked Choice Voting after January 1, 2026, or upon the adoption of administrative rules.
    • Adoption or repeal of RCV must be decided through a ballot question presented to voters.

  2. Ballot & Voting System Regulations

    • Ballots must allow voters to rank at least three candidates per office.
    • Voting machines used for RCV elections must be capable of processing and tabulating ranked choices.

  3. RCV Tabulation Procedures

    • Single-seat elections (e.g., mayor) use the single transferable vote method, where candidates are eliminated in rounds until one reaches the required vote threshold.
    • Multiple-seat elections (e.g., city councils) use a similar method, but seats are filled as candidates reach the threshold.

  4. Election Administration & Results Reporting

    • A Ranked Choice Voting Tabulation Center will be designated for counting votes.
    • Results must be publicly reported, including round-by-round tabulation details.

  5. Recounts & Audits

    • Candidates defeated in the final tabulation round may request a recount under certain conditions.
    • Post-election reviews must be conducted in selected precincts to verify accuracy.

  6. Electronic Voting System Requirements

    • Voting machines used for RCV must be certified, anonymous, and capable of detecting overvotes, skipped rankings, and repeat rankings.

  7. Rulemaking Authority

    • The Secretary of State must adopt rules to facilitate the implementation of RCV elections.

Overall Impact:

If enacted, this bill would allow Minnesota's local jurisdictions to adopt Ranked Choice Voting, providing an alternative to traditional plurality elections. It outlines detailed procedures for conducting, tabulating, and auditing RCV elections to ensure accuracy and transparency.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 23, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 23, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toElections

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Includes provision for ranked choice voting ballots."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill proposes amendments to the section 204B.35 of the Minnesota Statutes, which pertains to the preparation of election ballots.",
      "modified": [
        "Ballots for elections shall adhere to new standards including ranked choice voting mechanisms."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204B.35"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Procedures for counting votes in ranked choice voting elections."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends section 204C.21, introducing a subdivision specific to ranked choice voting.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "204C.21"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provision accounting for ranked choice voting nonpartisan elections."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill amends section 204D.07 concerning ballot exceptions for certain nonpartisan candidates.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "204D.07"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Reference to section 204C.361 concerning recount requests in elections.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies recount procedures for ranked choice voting elections."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204C.361"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Reference to section 204C.36 detailing conditions under which a recount may be requested.",
      "modified": [
        "Defines the procedural application for ranked choice voting recounts."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204C.36"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Section 206.89 is cited concerning postelection reviews of voting systems.",
      "modified": [
        "Incorporates ranked choice voting systems into postelection reviews."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "206.89"
  }
]

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