SB 892

            
2020 SESSION

20105019D

SENATE BILL NO. 892


Offered January 8, 2020


Prefiled January 8, 2020

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section 
 numbered 24.2-673.1, relating to ranked choice voting; elections for local 
 governing bodies; local option pilot program.
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Patron-- Ebbin

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Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 
 
 
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section 
 numbered 24.2-673.1 as follows: 
 
 
� 24.2-673.1. Ranked 
 choice voting.
 
 
A. For purposes of this 
 section:
 
 
"Ranked choice 
 voting" means a method of casting and tabulating votes in which (i) voters 
 rank candidates in order of preference, (ii) tabulation proceeds in rounds such 
 that in each of round either 
 a candidate or candidates are elected or the last-place candidate is defeated, 
 (iii) votes for voters next-ranked candidates are 
 transferred from elected or defeated candidates, and (iv) 
 tabulation ends when the number of candidates elected equals the number of 
 offices to be filled. Ranked choice voting is known as "instant 
 runoff voting" when electing a single office and "single 
 transferrable vote" when electing multiple offices.
 
 
"Ranking" means 
 the ordinal number assigned on a ballot by a voter to a candidate to express 
 the voters preference for that candidate. Ranking number one is the highest 
 ranking, ranking number two is the next-highest ranking, and so on, 
 consecutively, up to the number of candidates indicated on the ballot.
 
 
B. Elections of members of 
 a county board of supervisors or a city council may be conducted by ranked 
 choice voting pursuant to this section. The decision to conduct an election by 
 ranked choice voting shall be made, in consultation with the 
 local electoral board and general registrar, by a majority vote of the 
 board of supervisors or city council that the office being elected serves.
 
 
C. The State Board may 
 promulgate regulations for the proper and efficient administration of elections 
 determined by ranked choice voting, including (i) procedures 
 for tabulating votes in rounds, (ii) procedures for determining 
 winners in elections for offices to which only one candidate is being elected 
 and to which more than one candidate is being elected, and (iii) standards 
 for ballots pursuant to � 24.2-613, 
 notwithstanding the provisions of subsection E of that section.
 
 
D. The State Board may 
 administer or prescribe standards for a voter outreach and public information 
 program for use by any locality conducting ranked choice voting pursuant to 
 this section.
 
 
2. That any costs incurred by the Department of Elections 
 related to changes in technology that are necessary for the implementation of 
 this act, including changes to technology for receiving the results of 
 elections conducted pursuant to this act, shall be charged to the localities 
 exercising the option to proceed with ranked choice voting.
 
 
3. That the provisions of this act shall become effective on 
 July 1, 2021.
 
 
2. That the provisions of this act shall expire on July 1, 
 2031.