FairVote - 2005-2006 Legislation

Legislation

FairVote is currently tracking legislation in several states and at the federal level in Congress. These bills and acts all represent the growing, nation-wide interest in IRV as a way to address the many election issues facing the U.S. democratic system. Below are links to useful places to search for current legislation for the 2005-2006 legislative sessions, as well as links to bills under consideration.

TheNCSL Search Page also lists election reform legislation, including bills dealing with IRV.

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United States House of Representatives 109th Congress	Voter Choice Act of 2005 This bill would allow any state to use a proportional voting system for multi-seat congressional districts, and would require the use of instant runoff voting in certain elections for Federal office.
Alabama State Legislature	HB 711 is a bill that would allow overseas absentee voters to use ranked choice ballots. The Alabama State House recently passed it and if the state Senate passes an identical bill, and the governor of Alabama signs it, it will become law. Read about the bill and its implications in this letter to the editor.
Anchorage Municipal Assembly	On January 24, 2006, ordinance AO-2006-12 was submitted to the Anchorage municipal assembly for a vote to amend the charter to use IRV in Anchorage Municipal elections for mayor, assembly and school board. If the ordinance passes, IRV will be submitted to the voters of Anchorage on April 4, 2006. A hearing on the proposed ordinance is scheduled for February 14, 2006.
Arkansas State Legislature	HB 1770 was signed into law by Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee on March 10, 2005 after passing both houses of the legislature with only one dissenting vote. This legislation provides active-duty military personnel stationed overseas who vote via absentee ballot the ability to rank candidates. This ensures their votes are counted in the event of a runoff. The bill's limited IRV approach eliminates the problem of voters not receiving their absentee ballots in time to be counted in a runoff election.
California State Legislature	SB596 allows not only general law cities, but also all counties, school districts, and special districts to use IRV. It describes how to implement IRV, so that election officials who don’t know how to implement it won’t stymie charter cities that want to use IRV. Sponsored by Elections committee chair Debra Bowen, the bill has had hearings both in Sacramento and Oakland. ACA 28 would create a Citizens Assembly to look at state election problems, possibly looking at IRV as a solution.
Connecticut State Legislature	HB. No. 6617 The joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to elections shall conduct a study of elections statutes and, not later than January 1, 2006, shall submit a report to the General Assembly on its findings and recommendations. Update: The bill is currently tabled, possible action during next legislative session.
Hawaii State Legislature	HB 926 requires the party’s central committee to submit three nominees to fill state house vacancies. The governor then appoints replacements from those nominees. Establishes notice requirements; provides that special elections to fill house vacancies shall use IRV; directs chief elections officer to develop an IRV system. SB 1174 provides for ranked choice voting in all state and county elections; establishes the process and procedures for counting votes and certifying election results using the ranked choice methodology.
Illinois State Legislature	HB 134 requires ranked choice ballots for absentee ballots given to military personnel outside the United States.
Maine State Legislature	LD 265 allows for the "offices of President, Vice President, United States Senator, United States Representative to Congress, Governor, State Senator and State Representative" to be elected by IRV.
Maryland State Legislature	SB0292 has been introduced to mandate IRV voting for all state elections and require all voting machines to be compatible with IRV. This includes the elections for: President, House of Representatives, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State’s Attorney General, Comptroller, and all state and county legislative and executive offices. It came one vote short of passing out of committee to the floor but will be sponsored again next session.
New Hampshire State Legislature	HB 48 establishes a committee to study voting ballot reform including the use of IRV.
New Jersey State Legislature	AJR 99 creates a commission to study IRV.
New York State Legislature	A3510 allows for IRV in local elections across the state.
North Carolina State Legislature	[NC H1024 text] [related info H1024] was passed by both chambers of the state legislature and will become law this year. The act authorizes the use of IRV for judicial vacancies and provides for experimental use of IRV in 10 cities in 2007-2008. SB 558 Allows ranked ballots for runoff primaries and runoff elections to be sent to overseas voters.
Oregon State Legislature	HB 2638 Allows county or city to adopt instant runoff voting system for nomination or election of candidates to county or city office.
Texas State Legislature	SB 197 allows for IRV (called preferential voting in the bill) to be used in the election of officers of schools boards and municipalities. HB 1790 Allows for preferential voting in school board, municipal, or county commissioner.
Vermont State Legislature	H 385 and [SB.48] allow IRV to be used to elect statewide offices and for selecting representatives in the electoral college. H 505 was signed by Vermont Governor Jim Douglas on May 12, 2005. This act amends the town charter of Burlington, VT to allow the town to use IRV to elect local leaders.
Washington State Legislature	HB 1447 has passed! Establishes a pilot program for IRV use in the election of non-partisan offices in cities that qualify for the pilot. The bill passed the Legislature on April 13th with a 63-34 vote in the House and a 38-9 vote in the Senate; signed by the governor on April 23.