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SF1815 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Ranked choice voting for local offices authorization, establishment of procedures for adoption, implementation, and usage of ranked choice voting for local jurisdictions, and appropriation

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes to establish ranked choice voting (RCV) as an authorized voting method in Minnesota for local elections. Here are the key points:

  1. Authorization for Local Jurisdictions:

    • Cities, counties, and school districts may adopt RCV via a voter-approved ballot measure.
    • Jurisdictions using RCV must notify the Secretary of State and county auditors.

  2. Election Procedures & Implementation:

    • The bill establishes RCV voting procedures, including ballot design, tabulation of votes, and reporting results.
    • Allows electronic voting systems to be used for RCV, provided they meet certification requirements.
    • Provides detailed definitions for terms like inactive ballots, mathematically impossible candidates, overvotes, skipped rankings, and more.

  3. Ballot Rules & Counting Process:

    • Requires ballots to allow voters to rank at least three candidates per race.
    • Establishes different tabulation methods for single-seat and multiple-seat elections.
    • If a candidate receives enough first-choice votes to meet a winning threshold, they are elected; otherwise, votes are redistributed in subsequent rounds.

  4. Post-Election Procedures:

    • Establishes rules for reporting results, including round-by-round vote breakdowns.
    • Requires a post-election review in randomly selected precincts to verify accuracy.
    • Allows for candidate-requested recounts, with procedures laid out based on margin of victory or candidate request.

  5. Voting Equipment Requirements:

    • Electronic voting systems used for RCV must meet federal certification standards.
    • New voting systems must be able to capture, store, and report rank choice data while maintaining voter anonymity.
    • Machines should notify voters of ballot errors such as overvotes, skipped rankings, and repeat candidate rankings.

  6. Rulemaking & Implementation Timeline:

    • The Secretary of State must adopt rules for RCV implementation.
    • RCV can be adopted beginning January 1, 2026, or once rules are established.

This bill aims to provide a standardized legal framework for local jurisdictions that wish to implement ranked choice voting, ensuring clear procedures for counting, reporting, and certifying elections.

Bill text versions

Actions

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

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A new subsection clarifying disbursement rules."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Eliminates previous requirement for municipal matching funds."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies pension fund eligibility for volunteer firefighters under section 353G.06.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts pension payment schedule from annual to quarterly."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "353G.06"
  }
]

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