Ranked choice voting elections start with an authorizing statute. Depending upon the jurisdiction, this may be done by a bill in the state’s legislature, by ballot initiative, by charter amendment, or by resolution. When developing the language ranked choice voting legislation, initiatives, amendments, or resolutions, it is recommended that the language be broadly written to be flexible enough to change with the times. For example, having terminology in adopted language that is specific to a particular type of voting equipment or a set number of rankings would limit the ability for elections to be administered as the voting equipment evolves. You can find example language from ballot initiatives, by charter amendments, ordinances and bills, and resolutions at the pages below.
Additionally, example laws from jurisdictions using ranked choice voting for their military and overseas voters are available under "Military and Overseas Voters."
Finally, version 2.0 of the Voluntary Voting Systems Guidelines, the standards used to test voting equipment for federal certification are being developed now. You can find resources related to RCV's incorporation in to those standards at the VVSG link below.
INITIATIVES & AMENDMENTS
Ballot Initiatives & Charter Amendments
Ballot initiatives occur when a question is added to a ballot by petition, which was signed by a requisite number of registered voters. Not all jurisdictions allow for ballot initiatives; however, in 2016, ballot initiatives regarding ranked choice voting passed in the State of Maine and Benton County, Oregon. Below are links about these two ballot initiatives.
IN PRACTICE: State of Maine Question 5
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Petition
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Maine Citizen's Guide to the Referendum Election 2016 - Question 5 Description Begins on Page 48
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Statute
IN PRACTICE: Benton County, Oregon Measure 2-100
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Ballot Measure
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Voter Pamphlet November 2016 – ballot measure description begins on page 16
Charter Amendments
While some charter amendments may occur by initiative, governments may also change a charter by legislative action, referendum, or charter commission depending upon the jurisdiction. While some municipal or county governments must have state-level approval for changes to their governing documents, others do not have this requirement. The links below are examples of charter amendments to implement ranked choice voting:
IN PRACTICE: Hendersonville, NC 2009 Pilot Resolution
IN PRACTICE: Memphis Charter Amendment
IN PRACTICE: Portland, ME Charter
IN PRACTICE: San Francisco, CA Ballot Proposition A
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Ballot Proposition
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Voter Information Pamphlet and Sample Ballot 2002– ballot proposition description begins on page 37
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