SPONSOR: Stacy
This bill creates the "Every Vote Counts in Local Elections Act".
The bill creates a method for instant runoff voting for use in specified local elections within St Louis County. The Secretary of State may evaluate the voting machines and methods used in a manner similar to current rules and regulations ensuring compliance with federal law and the use of methodologies approved by federally certified institutions. The use of open source tabulating software is authorized as specified in the bill.
This bill requires St. Louis County and political subdivisions or special districts within that county to adopt the ranked choice method of voting beginning January 1, 2022, unless such entities opt out of ranked choice voting by providing written notice to the requisite election authority as specified in the bill.
The bill provides rules for counting, recording, and certifying ranked choice ballots as well as breaking ties and accommodating multiple person elections. The use of ranked choice methods is subject to the Secretary of State's rules and regulations on instant runoff voting. Procedures for verifying the system and issuing a report on ranked choice voting outcomes to the General Assembly is specified.
This bill is similar to HB 1436 (2020).
Statutes affected: