Senate Bill 1130 introduces ranked-choice voting for all federal, state, and local elections in Wisconsin, excluding recall elections. Under this system, voters can rank candidates in order of preference, and if no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, with their votes redistributed according to the voters' next preferences. This process continues until a candidate achieves a majority. The bill also specifies that no primary elections will be held, except for certain special primaries, and it allows for write-in candidates. Additionally, the Elections Commission is authorized to make expenditures for implementing ranked-choice voting and to provide grants to local governments for necessary updates to voting equipment and software.

The bill includes several amendments and repeals to existing statutes, such as the repeal of sections related to previous voting methods and the creation of new provisions for ranked-choice voting. Notably, it amends the election process for governor and lieutenant governor to reflect the new voting method, ensuring that the candidates receiving a majority of highest-ranked votes are declared elected. The bill also clarifies procedures for handling tied votes and establishes guidelines for municipal clerks regarding ballot preparation and reporting. Overall, the legislation aims to modernize the voting process in Wisconsin and enhance voter engagement through ranked-choice voting.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 5.01(4)(a), 5.01, 5.01(4)(b), 5.01(4)(c), 5.01(5), 5.02(19), 5.02, 5.02(20r), 5.02(22), 5.15(6)(b), 5.15, 5.58, 5.60(1)(ag), 5.60, 5.64(1)(ar)1m, 5.64, 5.64(1)(ar)2, 5.66(1), 5.66, 5.68(5), 5.68, 7.08(1)(c), 7.08, 7.10(6), 7.10, 7.50(1)(b), 7.50