This bill amends existing Iowa law to permit the use of ranked choice voting and instant runoff voting in local government elections. Specifically, it modifies Section 43.37 and Section 49.93 of the Code 2025 to include provisions that allow voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If a candidate does not receive a majority of votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and votes are transferred to the next preferred candidate until a candidate achieves a majority or the required number of candidates is elected.

The bill defines "local government" to encompass incorporated and unincorporated cities or towns, counties, schools, and other political subdivisions of the state. It also clarifies the voting process, stating that if a voter exceeds the permitted number of votes for an office, their ballot for that office will not be counted, while valid votes for other offices will still be counted. This legislative change aims to enhance the electoral process at the local level by providing voters with more options and potentially leading to more representative outcomes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 43.37, 49.93