SF639
Political subdivisions establishment or enforcement of ranked-choice voting prohibition
Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026)
Related bill: HF638
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
To prohibit political subdivisions in Minnesota from adopting or enforcing ranked-choice voting for local offices.
Scope of ban
Applies to: - home rule charter cities - statutory cities - counties - townships - school districts
What is ranked-choice voting (RCV)
Defined as any election method where a voter ranks or assigns a numerical value to candidates for an office in order of the voter’s preference.
Main provisions
- No political subdivision may adopt or enforce ranked-choice voting or any voting method similar to ranked-choice voting for local offices within the subdivision.
- Any rule, resolution, charter provision, or ordinance that tries to establish ranked-choice voting or a similar method is prohibited and considered void.
Status in law
- The bill adds a new provision titled “RANKEDCHOICE VOTING PROHIBITION” to Minnesota Statutes, specifically within Chapter 204B (Section 204B.50).
Effects and enforcement
- Local laws or rules that conflict with this prohibition have no force and are invalid.
Relevant terms ranked-choice voting, RCV, voting method, local offices, home rule charter, cities, counties, townships, school districts, rule, resolution, charter provision, ordinance, void, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 204B, 204B.50
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 27, 2025 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| January 27, 2025 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Elections |
Bill information comes from public records published by the Office of the Revisor of Statutes, the Minnesota House and the Minnesota Senate. AI summaries are written by MinneSlate and are not official. MinneSlate is independent and is not affiliated with the State of Minnesota or the Minnesota Legislature.