The Municipal and School Board Voting Options Act allows municipalities and school boards in New Jersey to adopt ranked-choice voting for their elections under specific conditions. This voting method enables voters to rank candidates in order of preference, with ballots counted in rounds. The bill specifies that the instant runoff method will be used for single-winner elections, such as mayoral races, while the single transferable vote method will be applied for multi-winner elections, like those for council or school board members. The act defines key terms necessary for implementing these voting methods and outlines the procedures for counting votes and declaring elected candidates.

To adopt ranked-choice voting, municipal governing bodies and school boards can pass an ordinance or resolution, which must then be submitted to voters for approval via a referendum. Additionally, voters can initiate a petition to place ranked-choice voting on the ballot, requiring signatures from at least 10 percent of the total votes cast in the last General Assembly election. If approved, all elections for mayor, municipal governing body members, or elected school board members (excluding primary elections) will utilize ranked-choice voting. The bill also mandates the Division of Elections to create rules and regulations to facilitate the implementation of this voting system.