A bill for an act prohibiting the use of ranked choice and instant runoff voting in elections in this state.(See SF 459.)
Summary
SSB1128 would prohibit the use of ranked choice voting and instant runoff voting in Iowa elections. The bill amends two election-code sections to state that elections in the state may not be conducted using these methods for any statewide, local government, or other office. It also adds definitions for both “local government” and the prohibited voting methods, describing ranked choice/instant runoff voting as systems in which voters rank candidates by preference and ballots are transferred in rounds until a winner is determined.
The measure is framed as a statewide election-administration restriction rather than a change to candidate eligibility or ballot access rules. It would apply broadly to all elections in Iowa, including municipal, county, school, and other political subdivision elections, and would make clear that only traditional voting/tabulation methods may be used. The bill’s effect would be to bar local governments and state election officials from adopting or using ranked-choice or instant-runoff systems in future elections.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would amend Iowa Code sections 43.37 and 49.93 to expressly ban ranked choice voting and instant runoff voting in all Iowa elections. This would preempt any state or local effort to use alternative tabulation systems for statewide, municipal, county, school, or other political subdivision contests, and would preserve the current one-vote-per-office framework in Iowa election law. It would also provide statutory definitions that could be used to enforce the prohibition and interpret future election disputes.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be introduced in a generally restrictive or preventive posture toward ranked choice voting rather than as a response to documented controversy in the record here. The caption indicates it is a proposed Secretary of State bill, suggesting an administrative or election-policy initiative. No formal support or opposition is reflected in the supplied transcripts or voting history.
Contention
The central point of contention is likely the policy choice between traditional plurality-style elections and ranked choice/instant runoff systems. Supporters of the bill would likely favor uniformity, simplicity, and avoiding alternative tabulation methods, while opponents would likely argue that the ban limits local control and blocks election reforms intended to broaden voter choice or improve majority support outcomes. Because no committee discussion or votes were provided, specific legislators, local governments, or advocacy groups cannot be identified from the record here.