SB 315

Abstract

Creates the Ranked Choice Voting Article in the Election Code. Provides that members of the General Assembly and the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, State Treasurer, Judge of the Supreme, Appellate, and Circuit Court, United States Representative, United States Senator, and President of the United States shall be elected by ranked choice voting. Allows the voter to rank the candidates for an office in order of preference. Provides that elections in which ranked choice voting is used with other methods, if possible, the same ballot must be used for all offices being voted on, with the different methods of voting clearly separated on the ballot. Provides tabulation procedures for first ranked choices and any subsequent rounds of voting required. Provides that if 2 or more candidates are tied and tabulation cannot continue until the candidate with the fewest votes is defeated, provides for the defeated candidate to be chosen by lot. Allows an election authority to resolve prospective ties between candidates before the election. Allows an election authority to modify the tabulation of ranked choice voting to include batch elimination. Provides that for elections using ranked choice voting, precinct returns must include the number of votes in the first ranking for each candidate. Allows the State Board of Elections and election authorities to modify the processes for precinct returns to allow for compliance with the provisions. Provides the State Board of Elections rulemaking authority to implement the provisions of the Article. Makes other and conforming changes throughout the Code.