Task Force on the Implementation of Approval Voting and Ranked-Choice Voting

HB 1289 establishes a 12-member Task Force to study approval voting and ranked-choice voting in Maryland. The Task Force, including election officials, local government representatives, and experts in election systems, will review how these voting methods are used elsewhere, assess administrative impacts, examine effects on voter participation, and identify necessary legal or regulatory changes. It must report findings and recommendations to the Governor and legislature by December 1, 2027, before the task force automatically expires on June 30, 2028. The bill does not implement voting changes but creates a study group to inform future decisions. This task force directly involves state and local election administrators and officials.