FairVote - 2003-2004 Legislation

Archived Legislation and Ballot Measures 2003-2004

Congress

Search the Library of Congress to track legislation.

House Resolution 5293
House Resolution 5293 is a bill introduced by Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) that would require states to conduct general elections for federal office to use an instant runoff voting system by 2008. It also directs the Election Assistance Commission to make grants to States to defray the costs of administering such systems. The law would be applied to all federal elections in the States and include the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands.

House Joint Resolution 109
House Joint Resolution 109 is an amendment to the U.S. Constitution proposed by Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) to eliminate the Electoral College and allow the American people to directly elect their President and Vice President.

Congress 2006 Commission Act
Congress 2006 Commission Act HR (415) is a bill sponsored by Representative Alcee Hastings (D – FL) that would create a commission to analyze both the size of Congress and the voting method by which representatives are elected. The bill was introduced in the 105th Congress as HR 187 and re-introduced on January 28, 2003 in the 108th Congress. The bill would allow Congress to "consider whether alternative methods of electing House Members" would be more inclusive for members of the American electorate. Find out more about U.S. House size and read Rep. Hastings' letter in 2001 about his bill. Referred to the House Committe on the Judiciary 1/28/03.

House Joint Resolution 28
House Joint Resolution 28 is an amendment Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D- IL) has introduced to ensure the right to vote in the U.S. Constitution -- and also require IRV (or another majority system) for allocating electoral votes in states. The amendment has 13 co-sponsors, as of Dec. 3, 2003. On Nov. 22, Rep. Jackson gave a stirring keynote speech at FairVote's "Claim Democracy" conference . See a summary of his key points and hear his speech.

States

Arkansas

Search the Arkansas General Assembly website to track legislation.

HB (2485) Would provide instant runoff voting for military and overseas voters. Passed by the House and ordered transmitted to the Senate 3/20/03. Amended and passed by the Senate, returned to the House 4/16/03. Died in House Committee 4/18/03; failed.

Arkansas nearly adopts instant runoff voting for overseas voters: First-year bill passes house, falls just short on senate floor.

Northwest Arkansas News: "Election Commission Reviews Ballot-Related Legislation." Article discusses pending election reform currently considered in Arkansas, including HB (2485). March 8, 2003.

California

Search the California State Legislature website to track legislation.

SCA (14) Would put a range of electoral reforms, including a less partisan redistricting process and instant runoff voting [See Section 3.7(b)] on the statewide ballot for all elections. Introduced 9/12/03. Died in committee 12/1/04.

AB (1039) Would allow cities the flexibility to elect officers or fill vacancies by means of cumulative voting, choice voting, limited voting, or IRV. Referred to Committee on Elections, Redistricting and Constitutional Amendments. Public hearing cancelled 4/17/03. Died 2/2/04.

Connecticut

Search the Connecticut General Assembly website to track legislation.

RB (6622) Would require new voting equipment to accommodate instant runoff voting and cumulative voting. Referred to Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections 3/10/03. Public hearing 3/21/03. Failed; no further action taken.

On March 21, the Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections heard written testimony composed by FairVote senior analyst Terry Bouricius.

Florida

Search the Florida Senate and House of Representatives websites to track legislation.

HB (59B) Would eliminate second primary elections and require instant runoff voitng in primaries. Failed in special session 2003-B.

SB (1544) Eliminates the second primary and provides for instant runoff voting for the primary election. Referred to Ethics and Elections Committee 3/20/03. Failed; died in committee 5/2/03.

FairVote Executive Director Rob Richie testified before the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee at a hearing on 3/20/03 and presented aPowerpoint presentation on instant runoff voting and Florida's history of runoff elections.

St Petersburg Times (FL): "Lessons in Voting From the French." March 30, 2003.

Hawaii

Search the Hawaii State Legislature website to track legislation.

HB (143) Provides instant runoff voting for all state offices (governor, lieutenant governor, state house of representatives, state senator, and county offices as authorized by ordinance). Referred to Judicial/Finance Committees 1/28/03. No further action taken. Carried over.

SB (1230) Provides for instant runoff voting in all county elections in which no primary election is held. The Transportation, Military Affairs, Government Operations Committee deferred measure 2/10/03. No further action taken. Carried over.

HB (676) Would provide for instant runoff voting for all counties that do not hold primaries. Introduced to House 1/22/03. Carried over to 2004 regular session.

HB (677)/SB (1045) Provides instant runoff voting for all state offices (governor, lieutenant governor, state house of representative, state senator, and county offices as authorized by ordinance).Referred to Judicial/Finance Committees 1/28/03. No further action taken. Carried over.

Illinois

Search the Illinois General Assembly website to track legislation.

HJRCA (22) House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 22, if passed by sixty percent of both houses of the Illinois General Assembly, would put on the November 2004 ballot a constitutional amendment that would change the current 118 one-person districts for the House into thirty-nine three-person districts, elected with cumulative voting rights. Filed 11/6/03.

HB (138) Introduced by Jack Franks (D-Woodstock), this new law gives county boards the authority to grant cumulative voting rights in multi-member districts. Previously, county boards in Illinois could use at-large elections, multi-member districts of single-member districts, but they could not grant cumulative voting rights in multi-member districts or at-large elections. Several counties with use multi-member districts over-represent the majority party, notably DuPage County (18 R - 0 D) and McHenry County (24 R -0 D). Granting cumulative voting rights in multi-member districts creates bipartisan representation in every district. This new law also authorizes advisory referenda on the structure of the county board. Passed House and Senate and signed by Governor Blagojevich on 7/23/03.

HB (395) Requires officials to provide primary election ballots that permit instant runoff voting for absentee voters in U.S. military or outside of U.S. Referred to House Rules Committee 3/13/03. Pending; no further action taken.

SB (1371) Sponsored by Senator Miguel del Valle, would allow certain school boards in Illinois to use cumulative voting in their elections. Referred to Senate Rules Committee 3/14/03. No further action taken.

HB (2544) Would provide all municipalities the flexibility to adopt cumulative voting. Referred to House Rules Committee 4/04/03. No further action taken.

HB (3301)   Introduced by Paul Froehlichs and Elaine Nekritz, would allow cities to use instant runoff voting. Referred to House Rules Committee 3/13/03. Pending; no further action taken.

HB (4091) By amending the school code, lets certain boards of education give cumulative voting rights in the election of board members. Referred to House Rules Committee 1/15/04. No further action taken.

HB (4011) Amends the Election Code and the Illinois Municipal Code so that through referendum, municipalities can adopt instant runoff voting for the nonpartisan offices of mayor, city clerk, city treasurer, and city councilman or alderman from single-member districts. Referred to House Rules Committee 1/14/04. No further action taken.

Northwest Herald: (IL) "Bill Gives Power to Voters Measure: Could Alter City Board." Discusses the effort to adopt cumulative voting in Illinois. February 21, 2003.

Champaign-Urbana News Gazette: (IL) "Bill Targets County Board Elections." Discusses the effort to adopt cumulative voting in Illinois. February 21, 2003.

Iowa

Search the Iowa General Assembly website to track legislation.

HCR (7) Establishes an interim committee to study instant runoff voting. Resolution laid over 2/03/03. No further action taken. Carried over.

Maine

Search the Maine State Legislature website to track legislation.

L.D. (212) Provide instant runoff voting for all state offices (governor, lieutenant governor, state house of representative, state senator) as well as all federally elected offices (president, vice president, senator, representative). Motion carried over to next session 6/14/03. Amended 4/1/04.

Maine adopts legislation to fund study on IRV: This spring Maine's governor signed LD 212, a resolution requiring the Secretary of State to study the feasibility of using IRV in Maine elections.

Citizen Testimony: Edward Snyder, former head of the Friends Committee for National Legislation and Maine resident, supports instant runoff voting.

Portsmouth Herald: (NH) "Reformers Urge New Method for Voting." Discusses the effort to adopt instant runoff voting in Maine. February 24, 2003.

Portland Press Herald: (ME) "Support Grows for Switch to Run-off Voting." Article discusses growing of acceptance of instant runoff voting among leaders in the Maine legislature. February 19, 2003.

Maryland

Search the Maryland General Assembly website to track legislation.

HB (180) Establishes a Study Commission on the Maryland redistricting, and calls for a CVD representative to be on the commission. First reading in the House; no action in the Senate. No further action taken.

Massachusetts

Search the Massachusetts State Legislature website to track legislation.

Three bills propose IRV for statewide elections, primary elections and congressional elections: HB (2784), HB (2785), HB (2952). Referred to the Committee on Election Laws 1/1/03. The director of Common Cause Massachusetts and several others testified in favor of the bills at a Hearing of the Joint Committee on Election Laws held 9/18/03. Pending; no further action taken.

Join supporters of instant runoff voting in Massachusetts.

Michigan

Search the Michigan State Legislature website to track legislation.

Reform movements are growing in Michigan. See Ferndale IRV's plans for a 2004 ballot measure.

Minnesota

Search the Minnesota State Legislature website to track legislation.

HF (66)/ SF (158) Provides instant runoff voting for elections to all federal and statewide offices and permits municipalities to adopt instant runoff voting for municipal offices. SF 158 referred to Rules and Administration Committee 1/28/03. HF 66 referred to Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy Committee 1/13/03. No further action taken. Carried over.

S.F. (629) Would establish instant runoff voting in all elections to federal and statewide offices. Would also allow cities to adopt instant runoff voting and would add compatibility with ranked ballot voting and cumulative voting to the certification requirements for new electronic voting equipment. Referred to Rules and Administration Committee 3/03/03. No further action taken. Carried over.

HF (1719)/ SF (1613) Would authorize the use of alternative voting methods for city elections and ensures that Minnesota statutes that do not allow for the use cumulative or ranked-order voting are prohibited. Referred to Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy Committee 2/2/04. Passed in Senate 2/23/04. Bill defeated in House 3/15/04.

Roseville IRV resolution

Star Tribune: (MN) "Instant runoff: Let Roseville voters try it." Editorial points out cost efficiency and other benefits to Roseville if it adopts IRV. March 11, 2004.

Pioneer Press: (MN) "Roseville: House panel OKs bill backing instant runoff." Bill passed that would allow Roseville to use alternative voting methods in a special City Council election. February 12, 2004.

Pioneer Press: (MN) "Roseville considers instant runoff." Upcoming legislation will allow Roseville, Minnesota to adopt instant run-off voting. February 4, 2004.

Pioneer Press: (MN) "Roseville: Senate panel backs option for runoff vote." Bill passed by Senate Elections Committee allows for alternative voting methods. February 6, 2004.

FairVote Minnesota regularly releases e-mail newsletters. See reports from March 2003 and February 2004.

New Hampshire

Search the New Hampshire State Legislature website to track legislation.

HB (275) Establishes a committee to study ballot reform, including instant runoff voting. Passed House, but failed in Senate Internal Affairs Committee.

New Jersey

Search the New Jersey State Legislature website to track legislation.

A (3418) Provides instant runoff voting for certain local elective public offices. Referred to Assembly State Government Committee 3/6/03. Pending; no further action taken.

A (3433) Requires new voting voting systems to support elections using IRV. Referred to Assembly State Government Committee 3/6/03. Pending; no further action taken.

New Mexico

Search the New Mexico State Legislature website to track legislation.

HB (208) Would provide for the election of Presidential electors in proportion to the portion of popular vote received by a party's candidates. Introduced by Wallace. Failed in the 2003 Regular Session.

SJR (20) Would allow municipalities with a population of over 60,000 people to implement instant-runoff voting. Sponsored by Richard Romero. Failed in the 2003 Regular Session.

New York

Search the New York State Legislature website to track legislation.

S(4683) Would provide for instant runoff voting for local elections including elections for statewide public office, county offices, city offices, town offices, and village offices. Sponsored by Krueger. Referred to Election Law 4/14/03. Pending.

A(4481)Establishes instant runoff voting in certain primary elections. Referred to Election Law 2/19/03. Pending; no further action taken.

(4482)Establishes instant runoff voting in certain local elections. Referred to Election Law 2/19/03. Pending; no further action taken.

A(08847)Enacts the Voting Systems Standards Act of 2003. Calls for new voting equipment to "possess the capacity to, or capacity to be easily modified so as to, provide for ranked order voting and cumulative voting." Passed NYS Assembly 6/17/03. Delivered to Senate, referred to Rules Committee 6/17/03. Session over; no further action taken.

Citizens for Instant Runoff Voting in New York State (NYSIRV): press release on its latest activities in New York.

Texas

Search the Texas State Legislature website to track legislation.

SB (135) Gives permission to local and county governments, as well as school boards, to use instant runoff voting. There is also a provision to fund voter education on preferential voting systems. Referred to State Affairs Committee 1/29/03. No further action taken. Failed.

HB (1362) Allows for alternative forms of voting, including full representation, cumulative voting and instant runoff voting. Referred to Elections Committee 3/03/03. Public hearing 4/23/03. Left pending in committee, no further action taken. Failed.

HJR (41) Would remove restrictions on types of voting methods used in municipalities. Referred to Elections Committee 2/18/03. Public hearing 4/23/03. Left pending in committee. Failed.

Vermont

Search the Vermont General Assembly website to track legislation.

HB (82) S (22)   Provides for the election of statewide and federal offices by instant runoff voting. HB 82 referred to Local Government Committee 1/28/03. S 22 referred to Government Operations Committee 1/28/03. Carried over; no further action taken.

Support for IRV is strong in Vermont.

Virginia

Search the Virginia General Assembly website to track legislation.

HB (2739) Provides for the election of statewide and federal offices by IRV. Failed in committee 1/31/03.

SB (872)   Relates to the establishment of a Virginia Redistricting Commission and provides standards for the state legislative and congressional redistricting plans. Defeated in committee- no longer pending, 1/21/03.

Scott County Virginia Star: (VA) "Legislator's Proposal: Vote for a first choice, and a second." January 29, 2003

Washington

Search the Washington State Legislature website to track legislation.

HB (2669) Establishing a pilot project to examine the use of instant runoff voting for nonpartisan offices. This bill is supported by the Vancouver City Council, the Clark County Auditor, League of Women Voters and the Secretary of State. HB 2669 passed by House of Representatives 2/12/04 with a vote of 69-26. Placed on second reading by Senate Rules Committee 3/1/04. Senate adjourned; bill killed.

HB (1390)/SB (5556) Provides for instant runoff voting in the election of local nonpartisan offices. HB 1390 passed by House of Representatives 3/13/03. SB 5556 reintroduced in Special Session 6/4/03. Carried over; no further action taken.

HB (1925) /SB (5444) Implements instant runoff voting for election to statewide and federal offices. HB 1925 referred to State Government Committee 2/17/03; reintroduced in Special Session 6/4/03. SB 5444 referred to Government Operations & Elections Committee 1/27/03; reintroduced in Special Session 6/4/03. Carried over; no further action taken.

Washington state initiative for IRV launched: Instant Runoff Washington has formed to collect signatures in 2004 for action in 2005.

The Oregonian: "Instant runoff bill advances. House-passed legislation that would make Vancouver a test case for the new voting method clears a Senate committee." February 26, 2004.

Vancouver Columbian: "Legislature: Moeller pushing instant runoff bill." Senate to vote on bill that would allow Vancouver to elect council members through instant runoff voting. "Opinion - In Our View: 1, 2, 3 Voting." Editorial advocates use of instant runoff voting to elect Vanouver council members. February 14, 2004.

The Olympian: (WA) "Instant runoff bill gets panel hearing." If passed, Washington bill will establish a pilot program for instant runoff voting in Vancouver nonpartisan elections. January 27, 2004.

Vancouver Columbian: (WA) "In our view: A better ballot?" Editorial encourages Washington State lawmakers to give municipalities in Washington the flexibility of considering instant runoff voting. March 22, 2003.

The Washington state House of Representatives has passed a bill allowing certain local municipalities to use instant runoff voting. The story is followed by the Vancouver Columbian (March 14, 2003), the Oregonian (March 14, 2003), and Tacoma News Tribune (February 25, 2003).

Wisconsin

AB (911)Wisconsin legislation to allow the use of instant runoff voting in local WI elections. Introduced 2/26/04. Referred to committee on Campaigns and Elections 2/26/04. Failed 3/3/04.



Home. > IRV America > Resources > Legislative & Legal Resources > Legislation > 2003-2004 Legislation
	Archived Legislation and Ballot Measures 2003-2004 Congress Search the Library of Congress to track legislation. House Resolution 5293 House Resolution 5293 is a bill introduced by Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) that would require states to conduct general elections for federal office to use an instant runoff voting system by 2008. It also directs the Election Assistance Commission to make grants to States to defray the costs of administering such systems. The law would be applied to all federal elections in the States and include the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands. House Joint Resolution 109 House Joint Resolution 109 is an amendment to the U.S. Constitution proposed by Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) to eliminate the Electoral College and allow the American people to directly elect their President and Vice President. Congress 2006 Commission Act Congress 2006 Commission Act HR (415) is a bill sponsored by Representative Alcee Hastings (D – FL) that would create a commission to analyze both the size of Congress and the voting method by which representatives are elected. The bill was introduced in the 105th Congress as HR 187 and re-introduced on January 28, 2003 in the 108th Congress. The bill would allow Congress to "consider whether alternative methods of electing House Members" would be more inclusive for members of the American electorate. Find out more about U.S. House size and read Rep. Hastings' letter in 2001 about his bill. Referred to the House Committe on the Judiciary 1/28/03. House Joint Resolution 28 House Joint Resolution 28 is an amendment Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D- IL) has introduced to ensure the right to vote in the U.S. Constitution -- and also require IRV (or another majority system) for allocating electoral votes in states. The amendment has 13 co-sponsors, as of Dec. 3, 2003. On Nov. 22, Rep. Jackson gave a stirring keynote speech at FairVote's "Claim Democracy" conference . See a summary of his key points and hear his speech. States Arkansas Search the Arkansas General Assembly website to track legislation. HB (2485) Would provide instant runoff voting for military and overseas voters. Passed by the House and ordered transmitted to the Senate 3/20/03. Amended and passed by the Senate, returned to the House 4/16/03. Died in House Committee 4/18/03; failed. Arkansas nearly adopts instant runoff voting for overseas voters: First-year bill passes house, falls just short on senate floor. Northwest Arkansas News: "Election Commission Reviews Ballot-Related Legislation." Article discusses pending election reform currently considered in Arkansas, including HB (2485). March 8, 2003. California Search the California State Legislature website to track legislation. SCA (14) Would put a range of electoral reforms, including a less partisan redistricting process and instant runoff voting [See Section 3.7(b)] on the statewide ballot for all elections. Introduced 9/12/03. Died in committee 12/1/04. AB (1039) Would allow cities the flexibility to elect officers or fill vacancies by means of cumulative voting, choice voting, limited voting, or IRV. Referred to Committee on Elections, Redistricting and Constitutional Amendments. Public hearing cancelled 4/17/03. Died 2/2/04. Connecticut Search the Connecticut General Assembly website to track legislation. RB (6622) Would require new voting equipment to accommodate instant runoff voting and cumulative voting. Referred to Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections 3/10/03. Public hearing 3/21/03. Failed; no further action taken. On March 21, the Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections heard written testimony composed by FairVote senior analyst Terry Bouricius. Florida Search the Florida Senate and House of Representatives websites to track legislation. HB (59B) Would eliminate second primary elections and require instant runoff voitng in primaries. Failed in special session 2003-B. SB (1544) Eliminates the second primary and provides for instant runoff voting for the primary election. Referred to Ethics and Elections Committee 3/20/03. Failed; died in committee 5/2/03. FairVote Executive Director Rob Richie testified before the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee at a hearing on 3/20/03 and presented aPowerpoint presentation on instant runoff voting and Florida's history of runoff elections. St Petersburg Times (FL): "Lessons in Voting From the French." March 30, 2003. Hawaii Search the Hawaii State Legislature website to track legislation. HB (143) Provides instant runoff voting for all state offices (governor, lieutenant governor, state house of representatives, state senator, and county offices as authorized by ordinance). Referred to Judicial/Finance Committees 1/28/03. No further action taken. Carried over. SB (1230) Provides for instant runoff voting in all county elections in which no primary election is held. The Transportation, Military Affairs, Government Operations Committee deferred measure 2/10/03. No further action taken. Carried over. HB (676) Would provide for instant runoff voting for all counties that do not hold primaries. Introduced to House 1/22/03. Carried over to 2004 regular session. HB (677)/SB (1045) Provides instant runoff voting for all state offices (governor, lieutenant governor, state house of representative, state senator, and county offices as authorized by ordinance).Referred to Judicial/Finance Committees 1/28/03. No further action taken. Carried over. Illinois Search the Illinois General Assembly website to track legislation. HJRCA (22) House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 22, if passed by sixty percent of both houses of the Illinois General Assembly, would put on the November 2004 ballot a constitutional amendment that would change the current 118 one-person districts for the House into thirty-nine three-person districts, elected with cumulative voting rights. Filed 11/6/03. HB (138) Introduced by Jack Franks (D-Woodstock), this new law gives county boards the authority to grant cumulative voting rights in multi-member districts. Previously, county boards in Illinois could use at-large elections, multi-member districts of single-member districts, but they could not grant cumulative voting rights in multi-member districts or at-large elections. Several counties with use multi-member districts over-represent the majority party, notably DuPage County (18 R - 0 D) and McHenry County (24 R -0 D). Granting cumulative voting rights in multi-member districts creates bipartisan representation in every district. This new law also authorizes advisory referenda on the structure of the county board. Passed House and Senate and signed by Governor Blagojevich on 7/23/03. HB (395) Requires officials to provide primary election ballots that permit instant runoff voting for absentee voters in U.S. military or outside of U.S. Referred to House Rules Committee 3/13/03. Pending; no further action taken. SB (1371) Sponsored by Senator Miguel del Valle, would allow certain school boards in Illinois to use cumulative voting in their elections. Referred to Senate Rules Committee 3/14/03. No further action taken. HB (2544) Would provide all municipalities the flexibility to adopt cumulative voting. Referred to House Rules Committee 4/04/03. No further action taken. HB (3301) Introduced by Paul Froehlichs and Elaine Nekritz, would allow cities to use instant runoff voting. Referred to House Rules Committee 3/13/03. Pending; no further action taken. HB (4091) By amending the school code, lets certain boards of education give cumulative voting rights in the election of board members. Referred to House Rules Committee 1/15/04. No further action taken. HB (4011) Amends the Election Code and the Illinois Municipal Code so that through referendum, municipalities can adopt instant runoff voting for the nonpartisan offices of mayor, city clerk, city treasurer, and city councilman or alderman from single-member districts. Referred to House Rules Committee 1/14/04. No further action taken. Northwest Herald: (IL) "Bill Gives Power to Voters Measure: Could Alter City Board." Discusses the effort to adopt cumulative voting in Illinois. February 21, 2003. Champaign-Urbana News Gazette: (IL) "Bill Targets County Board Elections." Discusses the effort to adopt cumulative voting in Illinois. February 21, 2003. Iowa Search the Iowa General Assembly website to track legislation. HCR (7) Establishes an interim committee to study instant runoff voting. Resolution laid over 2/03/03. No further action taken. Carried over. Maine Search the Maine State Legislature website to track legislation. L.D. (212) Provide instant runoff voting for all state offices (governor, lieutenant governor, state house of representative, state senator) as well as all federally elected offices (president, vice president, senator, representative). Motion carried over to next session 6/14/03. Amended 4/1/04. Maine adopts legislation to fund study on IRV: This spring Maine's governor signed LD 212, a resolution requiring the Secretary of State to study the feasibility of using IRV in Maine elections. Citizen Testimony: Edward Snyder, former head of the Friends Committee for National Legislation and Maine resident, supports instant runoff voting. Portsmouth Herald: (NH) "Reformers Urge New Method for Voting." Discusses the effort to adopt instant runoff voting in Maine. February 24, 2003. Portland Press Herald: (ME) "Support Grows for Switch to Run-off Voting." Article discusses growing of acceptance of instant runoff voting among leaders in the Maine legislature. February 19, 2003. Maryland Search the Maryland General Assembly website to track legislation. HB (180) Establishes a Study Commission on the Maryland redistricting, and calls for a CVD representative to be on the commission. First reading in the House; no action in the Senate. No further action taken. Massachusetts Search the Massachusetts State Legislature website to track legislation. Three bills propose IRV for statewide elections, primary elections and congressional elections: HB (2784), HB (2785), HB (2952). Referred to the Committee on Election Laws 1/1/03. The director of Common Cause Massachusetts and several others testified in favor of the bills at a Hearing of the Joint Committee on Election Laws held 9/18/03. Pending; no further action taken. Join supporters of instant runoff voting in Massachusetts. Michigan Search the Michigan State Legislature website to track legislation. Reform movements are growing in Michigan. See Ferndale IRV's plans for a 2004 ballot measure. Minnesota Search the Minnesota State Legislature website to track legislation. HF (66)/ SF (158) Provides instant runoff voting for elections to all federal and statewide offices and permits municipalities to adopt instant runoff voting for municipal offices. SF 158 referred to Rules and Administration Committee 1/28/03. HF 66 referred to Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy Committee 1/13/03. No further action taken. Carried over. S.F. (629) Would establish instant runoff voting in all elections to federal and statewide offices. Would also allow cities to adopt instant runoff voting and would add compatibility with ranked ballot voting and cumulative voting to the certification requirements for new electronic voting equipment. Referred to Rules and Administration Committee 3/03/03. No further action taken. Carried over. HF (1719)/ SF (1613) Would authorize the use of alternative voting methods for city elections and ensures that Minnesota statutes that do not allow for the use cumulative or ranked-order voting are prohibited. Referred to Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy Committee 2/2/04. Passed in Senate 2/23/04. Bill defeated in House 3/15/04. Roseville IRV resolution Star Tribune: (MN) "Instant runoff: Let Roseville voters try it." Editorial points out cost efficiency and other benefits to Roseville if it adopts IRV. March 11, 2004. Pioneer Press: (MN) "Roseville: House panel OKs bill backing instant runoff." Bill passed that would allow Roseville to use alternative voting methods in a special City Council election. February 12, 2004. Pioneer Press: (MN) "Roseville considers instant runoff." Upcoming legislation will allow Roseville, Minnesota to adopt instant run-off voting. February 4, 2004. Pioneer Press: (MN) "Roseville: Senate panel backs option for runoff vote." Bill passed by Senate Elections Committee allows for alternative voting methods. February 6, 2004. FairVote Minnesota regularly releases e-mail newsletters. See reports from March 2003 and February 2004. New Hampshire Search the New Hampshire State Legislature website to track legislation. HB (275) Establishes a committee to study ballot reform, including instant runoff voting. Passed House, but failed in Senate Internal Affairs Committee. New Jersey Search the New Jersey State Legislature website to track legislation. A (3418) Provides instant runoff voting for certain local elective public offices. Referred to Assembly State Government Committee 3/6/03. Pending; no further action taken. A (3433) Requires new voting voting systems to support elections using IRV. Referred to Assembly State Government Committee 3/6/03. Pending; no further action taken. New Mexico Search the New Mexico State Legislature website to track legislation. HB (208) Would provide for the election of Presidential electors in proportion to the portion of popular vote received by a party's candidates. Introduced by Wallace. Failed in the 2003 Regular Session. SJR (20) Would allow municipalities with a population of over 60,000 people to implement instant-runoff voting. Sponsored by Richard Romero. Failed in the 2003 Regular Session. New York Search the New York State Legislature website to track legislation. S(4683) Would provide for instant runoff voting for local elections including elections for statewide public office, county offices, city offices, town offices, and village offices. Sponsored by Krueger. Referred to Election Law 4/14/03. Pending. A(4481)Establishes instant runoff voting in certain primary elections. Referred to Election Law 2/19/03. Pending; no further action taken. (4482)Establishes instant runoff voting in certain local elections. Referred to Election Law 2/19/03. Pending; no further action taken. A(08847)Enacts the Voting Systems Standards Act of 2003. Calls for new voting equipment to "possess the capacity to, or capacity to be easily modified so as to, provide for ranked order voting and cumulative voting." Passed NYS Assembly 6/17/03. Delivered to Senate, referred to Rules Committee 6/17/03. Session over; no further action taken. Citizens for Instant Runoff Voting in New York State (NYSIRV): press release on its latest activities in New York. Texas Search the Texas State Legislature website to track legislation. SB (135) Gives permission to local and county governments, as well as school boards, to use instant runoff voting. There is also a provision to fund voter education on preferential voting systems. Referred to State Affairs Committee 1/29/03. No further action taken. Failed. HB (1362) Allows for alternative forms of voting, including full representation, cumulative voting and instant runoff voting. Referred to Elections Committee 3/03/03. Public hearing 4/23/03. Left pending in committee, no further action taken. Failed. HJR (41) Would remove restrictions on types of voting methods used in municipalities. Referred to Elections Committee 2/18/03. Public hearing 4/23/03. Left pending in committee. Failed. Vermont Search the Vermont General Assembly website to track legislation. HB (82) S (22) Provides for the election of statewide and federal offices by instant runoff voting. HB 82 referred to Local Government Committee 1/28/03. S 22 referred to Government Operations Committee 1/28/03. Carried over; no further action taken. Support for IRV is strong in Vermont. Virginia Search the Virginia General Assembly website to track legislation. HB (2739) Provides for the election of statewide and federal offices by IRV. Failed in committee 1/31/03. SB (872) Relates to the establishment of a Virginia Redistricting Commission and provides standards for the state legislative and congressional redistricting plans. Defeated in committee- no longer pending, 1/21/03. Scott County Virginia Star: (VA) "Legislator's Proposal: Vote for a first choice, and a second." January 29, 2003 Washington Search the Washington State Legislature website to track legislation. HB (2669) Establishing a pilot project to examine the use of instant runoff voting for nonpartisan offices. This bill is supported by the Vancouver City Council, the Clark County Auditor, League of Women Voters and the Secretary of State. HB 2669 passed by House of Representatives 2/12/04 with a vote of 69-26. Placed on second reading by Senate Rules Committee 3/1/04. Senate adjourned; bill killed. HB (1390)/SB (5556) Provides for instant runoff voting in the election of local nonpartisan offices. HB 1390 passed by House of Representatives 3/13/03. SB 5556 reintroduced in Special Session 6/4/03. Carried over; no further action taken. HB (1925) /SB (5444) Implements instant runoff voting for election to statewide and federal offices. HB 1925 referred to State Government Committee 2/17/03; reintroduced in Special Session 6/4/03. SB 5444 referred to Government Operations & Elections Committee 1/27/03; reintroduced in Special Session 6/4/03. Carried over; no further action taken. Washington state initiative for IRV launched: Instant Runoff Washington has formed to collect signatures in 2004 for action in 2005. The Oregonian: "Instant runoff bill advances. House-passed legislation that would make Vancouver a test case for the new voting method clears a Senate committee." February 26, 2004. Vancouver Columbian: "Legislature: Moeller pushing instant runoff bill." Senate to vote on bill that would allow Vancouver to elect council members through instant runoff voting. "Opinion - In Our View: 1, 2, 3 Voting." Editorial advocates use of instant runoff voting to elect Vanouver council members. February 14, 2004. The Olympian: (WA) "Instant runoff bill gets panel hearing." If passed, Washington bill will establish a pilot program for instant runoff voting in Vancouver nonpartisan elections. January 27, 2004. Vancouver Columbian: (WA) "In our view: A better ballot?" Editorial encourages Washington State lawmakers to give municipalities in Washington the flexibility of considering instant runoff voting. March 22, 2003. The Washington state House of Representatives has passed a bill allowing certain local municipalities to use instant runoff voting. The story is followed by the Vancouver Columbian (March 14, 2003), the Oregonian (March 14, 2003), and Tacoma News Tribune (February 25, 2003). Wisconsin AB (911)Wisconsin legislation to allow the use of instant runoff voting in local WI elections. Introduced 2/26/04. Referred to committee on Campaigns and Elections 2/26/04. Failed 3/3/04.