Ranked choice voting; elections for local governing bodies, local option pilot program.

Ranked choice voting; elections for local governingbodies; local option pilot program. Provides that elections forlocal governing bodies may be conducted by ranked choice voting,which the bill defines as the method of casting and tabulating votesin which (i) voters rank candidates in order of preference, (ii)tabulation proceeds in rounds in each of which either a candidateor candidates are elected or the last-place candidate is defeated,(iii) votes for voters' next-ranked candidates are transferred fromelected or defeated candidates, and (iv) tabulation ends when thenumber of candidates elected equals the number of offices to be filled. The bill allows any local governing body to decide to conduct suchelection by ranked choice voting and requires any such decision tobe made in consultation with the local electoral board and generalregistrar and by a majority vote of the governing body. The bill authorizesthe State Board of Elections to promulgate regulations for the properand efficient administration of elections determined by ranked choicevoting. The bill provides that any costs incurred by the Departmentof Elections related to technological changes necessary for the implementationof ranked choice voting pursuant to the bill shall be charged tothe localities exercising the option to proceed with ranked choice voting. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2021, andsunsets on July 1, 2031.