SSB 1128 (LSB 1412XD (3) 91)

SENATE/HOUSE FILE _____

BY  (PROPOSED SECRETARY OF STATE BILL)

A BILL FOR

An Act prohibiting the use of ranked choice and instant runoff voting in elections in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 43.37, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
   43.37  Number of votes permitted per office —— prohibited methods.
   1.  The elector shall be permitted to vote for no more candidates for any office than there are persons to be elected to the office. If an elector votes for more persons for any office than the number permitted, the elector’s ballot shall not be counted for that office.
   2.  a.  An election in this state shall not be conducted using ranked choice voting or instant runoff voting, including an election for any statewide, local government, or other office.
   b.  For purposes of this subsection:
   (1)  “Local government” means an incorporated city or town, an unincorporated city or town, a county, a school, or any other political subdivision of the state.
   (2)  “Ranked choice voting” or “instant runoff voting” means a method of casting and tabulating votes in which a voter ranks candidates in order of preference, tabulation of ballots proceeds in rounds such that in each round either a candidate is elected or the candidate receiving the fewest votes is defeated, votes are transferred from elected or defeated candidates to a voter’s next-ranked candidate in order of preference, and tabulation ends when a candidate receives the majority of votes cast or the number of candidates elected equals the number of offices to be filled, as applicable.
    Sec. 2.  Section 49.93, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
   49.93  Number of votes for each office —— prohibited methods.
   1.  For an office to which one person is to be elected, a voter shall not vote for more than one candidate. If two or more persons are to be elected to an office, the voter shall vote for no more than the number of persons to be elected. If a person votes for more than the permitted number of candidates, the vote for that office shall not count. Valid votes cast on the rest of the ballot shall be counted.
   2.  a.  An election in this state shall not be conducted using ranked choice voting or instant runoff voting, including an election for any statewide, local government, or other office.
   b.  For purposes of this subsection:
   (1)  “Local government” means an incorporated city or town, an unincorporated city or town, a county, a school, or any other political subdivision of the state.
   (2)  “Ranked choice voting” or “instant runoff voting” means a method of casting and tabulating votes in which a voter ranks candidates in order of preference, tabulation of ballots proceeds in rounds such that in each round either a candidate is elected or the candidate receiving the fewest votes is defeated, votes are transferred from elected or defeated candidates to a voter’s next-ranked candidate in order of preference, and tabulation ends when a candidate receives the majority of votes cast or the number of candidates elected equals the number of offices to be filled, as applicable.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill prohibits ranked choice and instant runoff voting, defined in the bill, from being used to cast or tabulate ballots in any election in this state, including in elections for local government offices, defined in the bill.