The bill amends Chapter 17-12.1 of the General Laws, introducing ranked choice voting for presidential preference primaries. It establishes that voters will have the opportunity to rank candidates and specifies that if a political party does not provide clear instructions for tabulation, the primary will default to a statewide winner-take-all approach. The legislation outlines the process for candidates to notify the Secretary of State of their candidacy, the requirements for petition signatures, and the procedures for candidate withdrawal, including the need for candidates to file a signed letter of withdrawal and an affidavit with the Secretary of State.

Key provisions include definitions for terms related to the voting process, such as "active candidate," "highest-ranked active candidate," and "threshold for receiving delegates." The bill details recount procedures for close elections, stating that ties among candidates with the fewest votes will be resolved by lot, and election officials may address prospective ties before tabulation. The Secretary of State is mandated to certify results after each round of tabulation and provide detailed reporting of unofficial preliminary results, including round-by-round data.

Additionally, the Secretary of State is required to promulgate rules or guidance to facilitate the release of unofficial preliminary results after the polls close, including round-by-round results and ballot-level ranking data. The bill also includes provisions for risk-limiting audits of election results to enhance integrity, with audits conducted after all elections and results reported within specified timeframes. Overall, the legislation aims to modernize the electoral process, improve transparency, and ensure the accuracy of election outcomes.

Statutes affected:
152: 17-19-37.4