New Bill Aims to Ban Ranked-Choice Voting in Federal Elections by 2026

A new piece of legislation, the 'Preventing Ranked Choice Corruption Act,' is on the table, and its main goal is to stop states from using ranked-choice voting systems for any federal elections. This means races for President, Vice President, Senators, and Representatives would all be off-limits for ranked-choice voting. The bill proposes to make this change by amending the Help America Vote Act of 2002, with the new rule kicking in for elections held in 2026 or later.

The End of Ranking? What This Bill Means for How You Vote Federally

So, what's ranked-choice voting (RCV)? It's a system where instead of just picking one candidate, you can rank them in order of preference – your first choice, second, third, and so on. If your top pick doesn't have enough support to win outright, your vote can shift to your next choice. The 'Preventing Ranked Choice Corruption Act,' as stated in Section 2, wants to put a stop to this method for all federal elections. This isn't a standalone rule; it's designed to slot into the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) – a major law that sets standards for how states run elections, from voter registration to the types of voting machines they use. Essentially, this bill would add a new line to HAVA saying RCV is a no-go for federal contests.

States' Rights vs. Federal Rules: Who Decides Election Methods?

Currently, states have a good deal of say in how they run their elections, including the voting methods they use. This bill, however, steps in to create a uniform federal rule against RCV. For states that already use ranked-choice voting for federal races, or for those considering it as a way to potentially reduce political polarization or give voters more nuanced choices, this legislation would mean a significant change. Come 2026, as outlined in Section 2, they'd have to ensure their federal ballots stick to traditional, non-ranked voting methods. This raises questions about the balance between federal oversight and state autonomy in election administration, an area HAVA itself has influenced since 2002 by setting minimum standards for states.

Simpler Ballots or Fewer Choices? Weighing the Impact

Why the change? Proponents might argue this simplifies the ballot box, making voting less confusing for some and potentially streamlining how elections are managed and results are tallied. On the flip side, this move could be seen as limiting. For voters who like RCV because they feel it better reflects their preferences or helps elect candidates with broader appeal, this bill removes that option at the federal level. As Section 2 explicitly prohibits systems where voters rank candidates, it directly impacts how voter preferences are captured and counted in these elections. This could also curb states' ability to experiment with different election systems they believe might better serve their citizens or address specific local concerns, effectively standardizing one aspect of federal elections nationwide.