9 States Introduce Ranked Choice Voting in January

image
Author: Fair Vote
Created: 25 Jan, 2017
Updated: 17 Oct, 2022
1 min read

As the new year gets underway, state legislatures around the country are convening to tackle the issues of the day. In at least nine states, electoral reform is on the agenda. Building on the momentum of historic wins for ranked choice voting in Maine and Benton County, Oregon, lawmakers from Massachusetts to Hawaii have introduced bills that would expand its use in their states.

The bills vary in their scope and history. Bills in Virginia and Connecticut would adopt ranked choice voting for all state and federal offices, as Maine did via referendum last year. Bills in Hawaii are focused on using ranked choice voting in special elections. In Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, and New Jersey, the bills simply give local governments the option of using ranked choice voting. New York’s bill would require New York City to use ranked choice voting in primary elections for the three city-wide offices. That bill has passed in the Senate in previous years and was reintroduced.

FairVote will keep track as more legislation is introduced this year. The map embedded below will update automatically as new bills are introduced, but readers should check back on our blog and advocacy page for up-to-date information. We encourage supporters to contact their representatives and ask them to vote yes on laws that will give more voters the freedom to rank candidates in order of choice so that everyone’s voice is heard, and majority rule is upheld.

Editor's note: This article originally published on FairVote's blog on January 25, 2017.

Photo Credit: roibu / shutterstock.com

Latest articles

South Bay Could Decide The Future of San Diego
John McCann vs. Paloma Aguirre: Why South Bay Voters Could Decide the Balance of Power in San Diego
It’s springtime in a non-election year. A time to decompress from political commentary, prep for Fourth of July parties, and gear up for summer vacations. But a funny thing happened on the way to sun and fun, in one of the world’s most desirable vacation spots: San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas, re-elected by voters just last fall, unexpectedly resigned shortly thereafter....
22 May, 2025
-
2 min read
Shadow over Ben Franklin's portrait on the 100 dollar bill.
Moody's Credit Rating Downgrade: How Partisan Dysfunction Has Tanked America's Financial Credibility
The US House of Representatives passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by a single vote right before lawmakers left DC for Memorial Day weekend. As the bill continues to be dissected and scrutinized in the media, its advancement to the US Senate will no doubt cause another story to resurface....
22 May, 2025
-
5 min read
A stethoscope on top of a medical chart.
FDA Ban on GLP-1 Compounds for Weight-Loss Goes into Full Effect
A new federal enforcement deadline is set to reshape access to some of the country’s most in-demand weight-loss drugs. Starting May 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will prohibit most pharmacies and providers from producing or distributing compounded versions of GLP-1 medications semaglutide and tirzepatide, active ingredients in blockbuster drugs including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound....
21 May, 2025
-
2 min read