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SF1892 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Ranked choice voting provision

AI Generated Summary

This bill, Senate File No. 1892, proposes to allow ranked choice voting (RCV) in local elections within Minnesota. It establishes procedures for the implementation and administration of RCV in cities, school districts, and counties that choose to adopt it.

Key Provisions:

  • Authorization:

    • Cities, counties, and school districts can adopt RCV through a ballot question, requiring voter approval.
    • Local governments must notify the Secretary of State and applicable county auditors upon adopting or repealing RCV.
    • RCV elections can only be held for local offices during general or special elections.

  • Ballot Structure & Voting Process:

    • Ballots must allow voters to rank at least three candidates in order of preference.
    • Instructions must clearly explain how RCV works.
    • If used alongside traditional elections, RCV and non-RCV portions must be clearly separated on ballots.

  • Vote Counting & Tabulation:

    • A local election official will oversee RCV elections and designate a tabulation center.
    • Votes are counted in rounds, eliminating the candidate with the fewest votes and redistributing votes to the next ranked preference.
    • The process continues until a candidate reaches the required threshold to win.
    • For multi-seat offices, votes are distributed using a single transferable vote system.

  • Election Reporting & Recounts:

    • Results must be publicly reported, including round-by-round vote tallies.
    • Candidates defeated in the final round may request a recount, following existing state recount laws.
    • If discrepancies exceed a set threshold, further reviews may be required.

  • Voting System Requirements:

    • Electronic voting systems used for RCV must meet federal certification standards.
    • Machines must be able to capture, store, and publicly report ballot data.
    • They must notify voters of errors (such as overvotes or skipped rankings).

  • Rulemaking & Funding:

    • The Secretary of State will adopt administrative rules to regulate RCV elections.
    • The bill includes an appropriation of funds for implementation.

Purpose:

This legislation aims to provide standard procedures for jurisdictions choosing to implement ranked choice voting, ensuring election integrity, accuracy, and transparency while expanding voter choice in local elections.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 26, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 26, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 26, 2025HouseFloorActionReferred toElections
February 26, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toElections

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New requirements for ranked choice voting to comply with Chapter 204E."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the application of ballot preparation for elections by detailing the inclusion of ranked choice voting under section 204B.35, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": [
        "Adaptation of ballot preparation rules for ranked choice voting."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204B.35",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Instructions to count ranked choice voting ballots per chapter 204E."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill adds a new provision to section 204C.21 to accommodate the counting of ranked choice voting ballots.",
      "modified": [
        "Modification allows for ranked choice voting adjustments in ballot counting."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204C.21",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Amendment to handle nonpartisan ranked choice voting elections."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendments are made to how nonpartisan candidates appear on ballots under section 204D.07, subdivision 3.",
      "modified": [
        "Changes conditions under which nonpartisan candidate names are omitted from ballots."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204D.07",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Explicit inclusion of ranked choice voting in filing notices."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This amendment to section 205.13, subdivision 2 details requirements for notifying the public about candidate filing dates.",
      "modified": [
        "Enhanced notice requirements to include election method being used."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "205.13",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New certification requirements for ranked choice voting systems."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The amendment to section 206.57 adds a new requirement for certification of voting systems that support ranked choice voting.",
      "modified": [
        "Mandates compliance with federal guidelines for ranked choice voting systems."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "206.57",
    "subdivision": "6a"
  }
]

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