AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- PRIMARY ELECTIONS--GENERAL ASSEMBLY OFFICES--RANKED CHOICE VOTING

HB 5275 would implement ranked choice voting (RCV) in primary elections for state representative and state senator when three or more candidates run. Voters would rank candidates in order of preference (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) instead of choosing just one candidate. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated in rounds, with their votes transferred to the next-ranked candidate on each ballot until one candidate achieves a majority. This change applies only to general assembly primary elections, not general elections, and takes effect January 1, 2026.