Vermont 2023-2024 Regular Session

Vermont House Bill H0347

Introduced
2/23/23  

Caption

An act relating to ranked-choice voting for presidential primary elections

Impact

The potential impact of HB 0347 on state law includes initiating a significant shift in how primary elections are conducted in Vermont. The adoption of ranked-choice voting is anticipated to lead to more representative outcomes, where candidates with widespread but perhaps not majority support can prevail over those with concentrated but narrower backing. By establishing a clear system for counting votes through multiple rounds of tabulation, the bill also aims to streamline the electoral process and reduce instances of wasted votes.

Summary

House Bill 0347 proposes to implement ranked-choice voting for presidential primary elections held by major political parties in Vermont. This bill mandates that voters have the ability to rank candidates in order of preference on their ballots, with a significant emphasis on enhancing voting accessibility and ensuring accurate representation of voter preferences. The approach aims to minimize the impact of strategic voting and to encourage voter participation by allowing more nuanced feedback on candidate choices.

Contention

Discussions surrounding HB 0347 reveal notable points of contention particularly among political parties regarding how delegates are allocated based on the ranked-choice voting system. While some parties may prefer a winner-take-all approach, others might advocate for a proportional representation of delegates based on the votes received. Concerns about the implementation costs and the need for voter education on the new voting method are also highlighted, as effective communication is crucial to ensure voter understanding and confidence in the ranked-choice system.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

VT SB270

Presidential primaries; ranked choice voting, effective clause.

VT SB01536

An Act Concerning The Use Of Ranked-choice Voting In Party Caucuses, Conventions And Primaries, Including Presidential Preference Primaries, And In Certain Municipal Elections.

VT SB00386

An Act Concerning The Use Of Ranked-choice Voting In Party Caucuses, Conventions And Primaries, Including Presidential Preference Primaries, And In Certain Municipal Elections.

VT LD1422

An Act Regarding Open Primary Elections and Ranked-choice Voting

VT H5276

Establishes the Ranked Choice Voting for Rhode Island Presidential Primaries and provides for new sections on ranked choice voting tabulation and results reporting.

VT H7788

Establishes the Ranked Choice Voting for Rhode Island Presidential Primaries and provides for new sections on ranked choice voting tabulation and results reporting.

VT S1649

Establishes ranked-choice voting procedure for presidential primaries and general elections for electors for United States President and Vice-President.

VT SB175

Elections and Primaries; use of ranked-choice voting; prohibit

VT S0152

Spells out rules and regulations for the presidential preference primary elections, and would also establish rules for ranked choice voting tabulation and results reporting by the secretary of state.

VT S2590

Spells out rules and regulations for the presidential preference primary elections, and would also establish rules for ranked choice voting tabulation and results reporting by the secretary of state.

Similar Bills

MD HB0182

Election Law - Presidential Electors - Selection and Voting

MD SB0237

Election Law - Presidential Electors - Selection and Voting

MD HB182

Election Law - Presidential Electors - Selection and Voting

AZ SB1141

presidential electors; presidential candidates; vacancy

AZ SB1300

interstate agreement; national popular vote.

AZ HB4013

interstate agreement; national popular vote

AZ SB1338

Interstate agreement; national popular vote

AZ HB2806

Interstate agreement; national popular vote.