Substitute Bill No. 1536 proposes the implementation of ranked-choice voting for party caucuses, conventions, primaries, and certain municipal elections in Connecticut, effective January 1, 2027. The bill defines key terms related to ranked-choice voting and outlines the vote tabulation process, allowing municipalities to adopt this voting method for elections where only one candidate is nominated. It also mandates that political parties may use ranked-choice voting for endorsements at conventions, replacing the traditional roll-call vote with a tabulation process. The bill repeals and replaces Section 9-173 of the general statutes, clarifying that the candidate with the most votes will be declared elected, and if no candidate achieves a plurality, the General Assembly will select the officer.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing laws regarding primaries and nominations, establishing that a plurality of votes will suffice for nominations, while major parties can opt for ranked-choice voting for primaries after January 1, 2027. It introduces new rules for delegate allocation in presidential preference primaries, effective January 1, 2028, ensuring that votes for withdrawn candidates are transferred to the next highest-ranked candidate. The bill also includes procedural changes for absentee voting and primary conduct, such as poll hours and electronic return transmission. Overall, the bill aims to modernize the electoral process and enhance voter representation through the adoption of ranked-choice voting mechanisms.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 9-444, 9-473, 9-476, 9-484
GAE Joint Favorable Substitute: 9-173, 9-444, 9-473, 9-476, 9-484
File No. 675: 9-173, 9-444, 9-473, 9-476, 9-484
APP Joint Favorable: 9-173, 9-444, 9-473, 9-476, 9-484