The bill H.313 aims to establish a temporary Ranked-Choice Voting Study Committee in Vermont to investigate the implementation of ranked-choice voting for all state and federal elections, with a specific focus on U.S. presidential primary elections for major political parties. The committee will include legislators and representatives from municipal clerks and election organizations, tasked with examining essential components for successful implementation, such as voter education and election integrity. The committee is required to report its findings by January 15, 2026, and will dissolve on November 1, 2026.

In addition to forming the committee, the bill introduces amendments to existing laws governing presidential primaries, including the requirement for ranked-choice ballots that allow voters to rank candidates by preference. It mandates public disclosure of round-by-round results when delegates are allocated by geographical unit or district and requires the canvassing committee to report the final round votes for each candidate. The Secretary of State is tasked with adopting rules for the efficient administration of these elections, ensuring that voting equipment is compatible with ranked-choice voting. By January 1, 2028, all election materials must be designed to accommodate ranked-choice voting results, with certain provisions taking effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 17-57