Ranked-Choice Voting Bill Headed for House Floor

HR367 passed out of the House Elections committee and will now be placed on the general register.
(Published Feb 26, 2013)

On Tuesday, Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-Hopkins) presented his bill to “unshackle” statutory cities to adopt and implement ranked-choice voting (RCV) to the House Elections committee. He emphasized that the bill is not a mandate and that many of the 107 home-rule charter cities in committee members’ districts currently have the ability to adopt ranked-choice voting should the citizens and city council decide to do so. If the bill was adopted, “I suspect many cities will say thanks, but no thanks” Rep. Simon said, but that each city should have the option to decide for themselves instead of coming to the state legislature for permission.

Minneapolis City Councilmember Elizabeth Glidden testified in support of the bill as did Mayor of Edina Jim Hovland. Evan Brown of the Red Wing Charter Commission also spoke in support of cities having the option to adopt RCV. Opponents spoke to voter confusion and potential disenfranchisement due to a lack of understanding about how to vote. There was also concern about polling equipment being programmed to process the ballots. The bill will now go to the general register.

Questions? Contact Ann Lindstrom at alindstrom@lmc.org or at 651-281-1261.

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