Connecticut House Bill HB05701

Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/23
• Refer: 1/18/23

Caption

An Act Instituting Ranked-choice Voting For Municipal, State And Federal Elections.

Impact

The introduction of ranked-choice voting could significantly alter the electoral landscape in Connecticut. Supporters argue that this system could reduce negative campaigning, as candidates would seek to appeal to a broader audience to secure second and third-choice votes. Furthermore, it is expected to lead to a greater diversity of candidates running for office because it minimizes the risk of 'wasting' a vote on less popular candidates. This could empower voters to support candidates they truly align with, rather than feeling compelled to vote strategically for a frontrunner.

Summary

House Bill 5701 proposes the implementation of ranked-choice voting for all municipal, state, and federal elections in Connecticut. This voting system allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one candidate. The process incorporates sequential rounds of counting in which the least favored candidates are eliminated, and voters' second choices are considered until a candidate achieves a majority of votes in the final round. This method aims to ensure that the elected candidate is the first choice of a majority of voters, contributing to a more democratic electoral process.

Contention

Opposition to HB 5701 is anticipated from those who are accustomed to the traditional voting method and fear the complexity of ranked-choice voting. Critics argue that the process could confuse voters and that tabulating the results might lead to delays in announcing election outcomes. There's also concern that voters may not fully understand how to rank candidates, which could impact participation rates. The transition to a new voting method may also incur additional costs for adjusting voting infrastructure and educating the public on the changes.