Connecticut 2025 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB01536 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1
2	2
3		-	LCO 1 of 15
	3	+	LCO No. 6694 1 of 14
4	4
5		-	General Assembly ~~Substitute~~ Bill No. 1536
	5	+	General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1536
6	6		January Session, 2025
	7	+	LCO No. 6694
	8	+
	9	+
	10	+	Referred to Committee on GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION
	11	+	AND ELECTIONS
	12	+
	13	+
	14	+	Introduced by:
	15	+	(GAE)
	16	+
7	17
8	18
9	19
10	20		AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF RANKED -CHOICE VOTING IN
11	21		PARTY CAUCUSES, CONVENTIONS AND PRIMARIES, INCLUDING
12		-	PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARIES, AND IN CERTAIN
13		-	MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.
	22	+	PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARIES.
14	23		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
15	24		Assembly convened:
16	25
17		-	Section 1. (NEW) (Effective January 1, ~~2027~~) (a) As used in this section: 1
	26	+	Section 1. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2026) (a) As used in this section: 1
18	27		(1) "Active candidate" means, with respect to a round of tabulation 2
19	28		under ranked-choice voting, a candidate (A) whose name appears on 3
20	29		the ballot or who is registered as a write-in candidate, and (B) who has 4
21	30		not been eliminated, is not a winning candidate and is not a withdrawn 5
22	31		candidate; 6
23	32		(2) "Inactive ballot" means, with respect to a given round of tabulation 7
24	33		and all subsequent rounds of tabulation under ranked-choice voting, a 8
25	34		ballot on which no vote is tabulated because (A) no candidate ranked on 9
26	35		the ballot remains an active candidate; or (B) two or more candidates are 10
27	36		ranked at the same order of preference and no other candidates that are 11
28	37		ranked higher remain as active candidates; 12
	38	+	Raised Bill No. 1536
	39	+
	40	+
	41	+
	42	+	LCO No. 6694 2 of 14
	43	+
29	44		(3) "Ranked-choice voting" means a system of casting and tabulating 13
30	45		votes under which, with respect to a particular office, (A) each elector is 14
31	46		able to rank candidates on the ballot in the order of such elector's 15
32	47		preference, (B) one or more rounds of tabulation are used to determine 16
33		-	active candidates in accordance with electors' preferences, and (C) the 17 Substitute Bill No. 1536
34		-
35		-
36		-	LCO 2 of 15
37		-
	48	+	active candidates in accordance with electors' preferences, and (C) the 17
38	49		active candidate with the greatest number of votes after all rounds of 18
39	50		tabulation are complete is the winning candidate; 19
40	51		(4) "Rank" or "ranking" means an elector's vote expressed in 20
41	52		numerical order of such elector's preferences as to the candidates on the 21
42	53		ballot, where "1" indicates the highest preference and subsequent 22
43	54		numbers indicate lower preferences; 23
44	55		(5) "Repeated ranking" means markings on a ballot whereby the same 24
45	56		candidate is ranked at multiple, differing orders of preference; 25
46	57		(6) "Skipped ranking" means markings on a ballot whereby an elector 26
47	58		leaves a ranking unassigned but also ranks a candidate at a lower order 27
48	59		of preference; 28
49	60		(7) "Undervote" means, with respect to all rounds of tabulation under 29
50	61		ranked-choice voting for a particular office, a ballot on which no vote is 30
51	62		cast due to no candidate being ranked; 31
52	63		(8) "Winning candidate" means the candidate with the greatest 32
53	64		number of votes, under ranked-choice voting, after all rounds of 33
54	65		tabulation are complete; and 34
55	66		(9) "Withdrawn candidate" means a person (A) whose candidacy has 35
56	67		been withdrawn in accordance with the applicable provision of title 9 of 36
57	68		the general statutes, and (B) in a presidential preference primary, who 37
58	69		complies with all applicable party rules governing the timing, 38
59	70		procedures or substance of candidate withdrawals or campaign 39
60	71		suspensions. 40
61	72		(b) (1) Except as prohibited by any provision of title 9 of the general 41
62		-	statutes, the outcome of (A) any primary, other than a presidential 42
63		-	preference primary, held on or after January 1, 2027, (B) any municipal 43
64		-	election held on or after January 1, 2027, or (C) any presidential 44
65		-	preference primary held on or after January 1, 2028, may be determined 45
66		-	under ranked-choice voting. 46
67		-	(2) (A) For any primary or municipal election determined under 47 Substitute Bill No. 1536
	73	+	Raised Bill No. 1536
68	74
69	75
70		-	LCO 3 of 15
71	76
72		-	ranked-choice voting for an office to which electors nominate or elect no 48
73		-	more than one candidate, the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection 49
74		-	(d) of this section shall apply. 50
75		-	(B) For any primary or municipal election determined under ranked-51
76		-	choice voting for offices other than those described in subparagraph (A) 52
77		-	of this subdivision, the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of 53
78		-	this section shall not apply. 54
79		-	(c) (1) (A) At each primary or municipal election conducted under 55
80		-	ranked-choice voting, the Secretary of the State shall prescribe the type 56
81		-	of ballot to be used, the instructions to appear on such ballot and the 57
82		-	layout and orientation of such ballot. The use of any ballot at any such 58
83		-	primary or municipal election shall be subject to the approval of the 59
84		-	Secretary. 60
85		-	(B) The ballot at each primary or municipal election conducted under 61
86		-	ranked-choice voting, or the portion of such ballot used for ranked-62
87		-	choice voting, shall: 63
88		-	(i) List all candidates duly qualified to appear on such ballot for such 64
89		-	primary or municipal election and in such a manner as to allow each 65
90		-	elector who is eligible to vote in such primary or municipal election to 66
91		-	rank all such candidates in the order of such elector's preference. If such 67
92		-	ballot cannot allow for ranking of all such candidates, the Secretary may 68
93		-	limit ranking to not less than five candidates, provided such limitation 69
94		-	by the Secretary shall be uniform with respect to all electors eligible to 70
95		-	vote in such primary or municipal election; 71
96		-	(ii) For any primary, list and identify candidates in the order and 72
97		-	manner provided in subsections (a) to (c), inclusive, and (g) of section 9-73
98		-	437 of the general statutes, at a minimum; and 74
99		-	(iii) For any municipal election, and for the purposes of sections 9-75
100		-	249a, 9-372, 9-373b, 9-380, 9-453d and 9-453t of the general statutes, 76
101		-	indicate the party under which designation each candidate appears so 77
102		-	as to enable the elector to specify the party designation of the candidate 78 Substitute Bill No. 1536
	77	+	LCO No. 6694 3 of 14
	78	+
	79	+	statutes, the outcome of (A) any primary, other than a presidential 42
	80	+	preference primary, held on or after January 1, 2026, or (B) any 43
	81	+	presidential preference primary held on or after January 1, 2028, may be 44
	82	+	determined under ranked-choice voting. 45
	83	+	(2) (A) For any primary determined under ranked-choice voting for 46
	84	+	an office to which electors nominate no more than one candidate, the 47
	85	+	provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of this section shall apply. 48
	86	+	(B) For any primary determined under ranked-choice voting for 49
	87	+	offices other than those described in subparagraph (A) of this 50
	88	+	subdivision, the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of this 51
	89	+	section shall not apply. 52
	90	+	(c) (1) (A) At each primary conducted under ranked-choice voting, 53
	91	+	the Secretary of the State shall prescribe the type of ballot to be used, the 54
	92	+	instructions to appear on such ballot and the layout and orientation of 55
	93	+	such ballot. The use of any ballot at any such primary shall be subject to 56
	94	+	the approval of the Secretary. 57
	95	+	(B) The ballot at each primary conducted under ranked-choice voting, 58
	96	+	or the portion of such ballot used for ranked-choice voting, shall: 59
	97	+	(i) List all candidates duly qualified to appear on such ballot for such 60
	98	+	primary and in such a manner as to allow each elector who is eligible to 61
	99	+	vote in such primary to rank all such candidates in the order of such 62
	100	+	elector's preference, except that if such ballot cannot allow for ranking 63
	101	+	of all such candidates, the Secretary may limit ranking to not less than 64
	102	+	five such candidates, provided such limitation by the Secretary shall be 65
	103	+	uniform with respect to all electors eligible to vote in such primary; and 66
	104	+	(ii) List and identify candidates in the order and manner provided in 67
	105	+	subsections (a) to (c), inclusive, and (g) of section 9-437 of the general 68
	106	+	statutes, at a minimum. 69
	107	+	(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-242 of the general 70
	108	+	Raised Bill No. 1536
103	109
104	110
105		-	LCO 4 of 15
106	111
107		-	being ranked. 79
108		-	(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-242 of the general 80
109		-	statutes, at each primary or municipal election conducted under ranked-81
110		-	choice voting, the voting tabulator shall be so constructed as to comply 82
111		-	with the provisions of this section. 83
112		-	(d) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, at each 84
113		-	primary or municipal election for an office to which electors nominate 85
114		-	or elect no more than one candidate, and conducted under ranked-86
115		-	choice voting, each ballot shall be tabulated as one vote cast for the 87
116		-	highest-ranked active candidate on such ballot and tabulation shall 88
117		-	proceed in sequential rounds such that: 89
118		-	(A) In a round with three or more active candidates, the candidate 90
119		-	with the least number of votes at the completion of tabulation shall be 91
120		-	eliminated, the vote for such eliminated candidate shall be transferred 92
121		-	to a remaining active candidate in accordance with the ranked 93
122		-	preference expressed on such ballot and all remaining active candidates 94
123		-	shall advance to the next round; and 95
124		-	(B) In a round with fewer than three active candidates, the candidate 96
125		-	with the greatest number of votes at the completion of tabulation shall 97
126		-	be declared the winning candidate and no further rounds shall be 98
127		-	required. 99
128		-	(2) (A) If at the completion of tabulation a tie occurs between 100
129		-	candidates with the least number of votes and tabulation is unable to 101
130		-	proceed until such tie is resolved, the candidate to be eliminated shall 102
131		-	be determined by lot in accordance with regulations adopted under 103
132		-	subsection (f) of this section. 104
133		-	(B) If at the completion of tabulation a tie occurs between candidates 105
134		-	with the greatest number of votes, such tie shall be resolved in 106
135		-	accordance with the provisions of (i) section 9-446 of the general statutes 107
136		-	in the case of a primary other than a presidential preference primary, (ii) 108
137		-	section 9-332 of the general statutes in the case of a municipal election, 109 Substitute Bill No. 1536
	112	+	LCO No. 6694 4 of 14
	113	+
	114	+	statutes, at each primary conducted under ranked-choice voting, the 71
	115	+	voting tabulator shall be so constructed as to comply with the provisions 72
	116	+	of this section. 73
	117	+	(d) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, at each 74
	118	+	primary for an office to which electors nominate no more than one 75
	119	+	candidate, and conducted under ranked-choice voting, each ballot shall 76
	120	+	be tabulated as one vote cast for the highest-ranked active candidate on 77
	121	+	such ballot, and tabulation shall proceed in sequential rounds such that: 78
	122	+	(A) In a round with three or more active candidates, the candidate 79
	123	+	with the least number of votes at the completion of tabulation shall be 80
	124	+	eliminated, the vote for such eliminated candidate shall be transferred 81
	125	+	to a remaining active candidate in accordance with the ranked 82
	126	+	preference expressed on such ballot and all remaining active candidates 83
	127	+	shall advance to the next round; and 84
	128	+	(B) In a round with fewer than three active candidates, the candidate 85
	129	+	with the greatest number of votes at the completion of tabulation shall 86
	130	+	be declared the winning candidate and no further rounds shall be 87
	131	+	required. 88
	132	+	(2) (A) If at the completion of tabulation a tie occurs between 89
	133	+	candidates with the least number of votes and tabulation is unable to 90
	134	+	proceed until such tie is resolved, the candidate to be eliminated shall 91
	135	+	be determined by lot in accordance with regulations adopted under 92
	136	+	subsection (f) of this section. 93
	137	+	(B) If at the completion of tabulation a tie occurs between candidates 94
	138	+	with the greatest number of votes, such tie shall be resolved in 95
	139	+	accordance with the provisions of (i) section 9-446 of the general 96
	140	+	statutes, in the case of a primary other than a presidential preference 97
	141	+	primary, or (ii) chapter 154 of the general statutes, in the case of a 98
	142	+	presidential preference primary. 99
	143	+	(C) (i) If a ballot is an inactive ballot with respect to any round, no 100
	144	+	Raised Bill No. 1536
138	145
139	146
140		-	LCO 5 of 15
141	147
142		-	or (iii) chapter 154 of the general statutes in the case of a presidential 110
143		-	preference primary. 111
144		-	(C) (i) If a ballot is an inactive ballot with respect to any round, no 112
145		-	vote shall be tabulated on such ballot for such round. 113
146		-	(ii) If a ballot is an undervote, no vote shall be tabulated on such ballot 114
147		-	for all rounds. 115
148		-	(iii) If a ballot contains any repeated ranking or skipped ranking with 116
149		-	respect to any round, the vote shall be tabulated on such ballot for the 117
150		-	highest-ranked active candidate. 118
151		-	(e) For any primary or municipal election conducted under ranked-119
152		-	choice voting, the provisions of section 9-445 or 9-311a of the general 120
153		-	statutes, as applicable, shall apply to the difference between the vote for 121
154		-	the winning candidate over the vote for the active candidate having the 122
155		-	next highest number of votes. 123
156		-	(f) The Secretary of the State shall adopt regulations, in accordance 124
157		-	with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, to implement 125
158		-	the provisions of this section. 126
159		-	Sec. 2. Section 9-173 of the general statutes is repealed and the 127
160		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027): 128
161		-	(a) In the election for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the 129
162		-	State, Treasurer, Comptroller and Attorney General, the person 130
163		-	receiving the greatest number of votes for each of said offices, 131
164		-	respectively, shall be declared elected. If no person has a plurality of the 132
165		-	votes for any of said offices, the General Assembly shall choose such 133
166		-	officer. 134
167		-	(b) In the election for senator in Congress, the person receiving the 135
168		-	greatest number of votes for such office shall be declared elected; but, if 136
169		-	no person has a plurality of the votes for said office, the Governor may 137
170		-	make a temporary appointment of a senator in Congress to serve for the 138
171		-	ensuing two years unless the General Assembly directs a special election 139 Substitute Bill No. 1536
	148	+	LCO No. 6694 5 of 14
	149	+
	150	+	vote shall be tabulated on such ballot for such round. 101
	151	+	(ii) If a ballot is an undervote, no vote shall be tabulated on such ballot 102
	152	+	for all rounds. 103
	153	+	(iii) If a ballot contains any repeated ranking or skipped ranking with 104
	154	+	respect to any round, the vote shall be tabulated on such ballot for the 105
	155	+	highest-ranked active candidate. 106
	156	+	(e) For any primary conducted under ranked-choice voting, the 107
	157	+	provisions of section 9-445 of the general statutes shall apply to the 108
	158	+	difference between the vote for the winning candidate over the vote for 109
	159	+	the active candidate having the next highest number of votes. 110
	160	+	(f) The Secretary of the State shall adopt regulations, in accordance 111
	161	+	with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, to implement 112
	162	+	the provisions of this section. 113
	163	+	Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2026) (a) In the case of any state or 114
	164	+	district convention at which a party has adopted ranked-choice voting, 115
	165	+	as defined in section 1 of this act, pursuant to its party rules, for the 116
	166	+	purpose of making an endorsement for nomination to a state or district 117
	167	+	office, as between three or more candidates, to which such convention 118
	168	+	delegates endorse no more than one such candidate: 119
	169	+	(1) The call of a roll and the recording of the vote of each delegate 120
	170	+	entitled to vote and voting shall not be required; and 121
	171	+	(2) The determination of the per cent of the votes of the convention 122
	172	+	delegates present and voting on any roll-call vote, as described in 123
	173	+	section 9-386 of the general statutes, and any similar reference thereto, 124
	174	+	including in sections 9-400 and 9-706 of the general statutes, shall be the 125
	175	+	number of votes received in any round of tabulation by each active 126
	176	+	candidate, as defined in section 1 of this act, in the round as a percentage 127
	177	+	of the votes received by all active candidates in the round. 128
	178	+	(b) In all such proceedings for the making of an endorsement for 129
	179	+	Raised Bill No. 1536
172	180
173	181
174		-	LCO 6 of 15
175	182
176		-	for a senator in Congress, to be held during said period, to fill the 140
177		-	vacancy occasioned by such failure to elect. 141
178		-	(c) In all elections of representatives in Congress, state senators, state 142
179		-	representatives and judges of probate, the person having the greatest 143
180		-	number of votes shall be declared elected. 144
181		-	(d) (1) [Unless otherwise] Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this 145
182		-	subsection or by other law, in all municipal elections a plurality of the 146
183		-	votes cast shall be sufficient to elect. 147
184		-	(2) A municipality may, by charter or ordinance, (A) adopt ranked-148
185		-	choice voting, as defined in section 1 of this act, for the conduct of any 149
186		-	municipal election held on or after January 1, 2027, for any office to 150
187		-	which electors elect no more than one candidate, and (B) implement 151
188		-	ranked-choice voting procedures, as provided in section 1 of this act, at 152
189		-	such election. 153
190		-	Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2027) (a) As used in this section, 154
191		-	"state office" and "district office" have the same meanings as provided 155
192		-	in section 9-372 of the general statutes. 156
193		-	(b) At any political party convention held for the endorsement of any 157
194		-	candidate for nomination to state or district office or the office of state 158
195		-	senator or state representative, if such political party has adopted 159
196		-	ranked-choice voting, as defined in section 1 of this act, pursuant to its 160
197		-	party rules, for the purpose of making such endorsement, as between 161
198		-	three or more candidates, to which the delegates at such convention 162
199		-	endorse no more than one such candidate: 163
200		-	(1) The call of a roll and the recording of the vote of each delegate 164
201		-	entitled to vote and voting shall not be required; and 165
202		-	(2) The determination of the per cent of the votes of the convention 166
203		-	delegates present and voting on any roll-call vote, as described in 167
204		-	section 9-386 of the general statutes, and of any similar reference to the 168
205		-	per cent of such votes, including in sections 9-400 and 9-706 of the 169 Substitute Bill No. 1536
	183	+	LCO No. 6694 6 of 14
	184	+
	185	+	nomination to a state or district office, the clerk or secretary of such 130
	186	+	convention shall keep a true record, in writing, of the number of votes 131
	187	+	received by each active candidate in each round of tabulation and of the 132
	188	+	round-by-round totals, and shall, at the conclusion of the voting and 133
	189	+	tabulation process, announce the round-by-round and final results. 134
	190	+	Such clerk or secretary shall file such record at the headquarters of the 135
	191	+	state central committee, where it shall be preserved for a period of one 136
	192	+	hundred eighty days after the adjournment of such convention, and 137
	193	+	such record shall be open to public inspection at all reasonable times. 138
	194	+	Sec. 3. Section 9-444 of the general statutes is repealed and the 139
	195	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2026): 140
	196	+	(a) (1) In the case of a primary for state or district office, each person 141
	197	+	certified by the Secretary of the State as provided in section 9-440, to 142
	198	+	have received the greatest number of votes of the electors eligible to vote 143
	199	+	in a primary for any office shall be deemed to have been chosen as the 144
	200	+	nominee of such party to such office. 145
	201	+	(2) In the case of a primary for a municipal office, the moderator, or 146
	202	+	the head moderator, as the case may be, shall declare nominated the 147
	203	+	person having the greatest number of votes for such office and, if more 148
	204	+	than one person is to be nominated for the same office, he shall declare 149
	205	+	nominated the persons having the greatest number of votes for such 150
	206	+	office up to the number to be chosen. 151
	207	+	(3) In the case of a primary for members of a town committee, such 152
	208	+	moderator shall declare elected the persons having the greatest number 153
	209	+	of votes for such positions up to the number to be chosen for such 154
	210	+	positions. 155
	211	+	(4) In the case of a primary for justice of the peace, such moderator 156
	212	+	shall declare elected each person on the slate having the greatest number 157
	213	+	of votes for such offices. 158
	214	+	(b) (1) [In] Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, in 159
	215	+	Raised Bill No. 1536
206	216
207	217
208		-	LCO 7 of 15
209	218
210		-	general statutes, shall be the number of votes received in any round of 170
211		-	tabulation by each active candidate, as defined in section 1 of this act, in 171
212		-	the round as a percentage of the votes received by all active candidates 172
213		-	in the round. 173
214		-	(c) In all such proceedings for the making of an endorsement for 174
215		-	nomination to a state or district office, the clerk or secretary of such 175
216		-	convention shall keep a true record, in writing, of the number of votes 176
217		-	received by each active candidate in each round of tabulation and of the 177
218		-	round-by-round totals and shall, at the conclusion of the voting and 178
219		-	tabulation process, announce the round-by-round and final results. 179
220		-	Such clerk or secretary shall file such record at the headquarters of the 180
221		-	state central committee, where it shall be preserved for a period of one 181
222		-	hundred eighty days after the adjournment of such convention, and 182
223		-	such record shall be open to public inspection at all reasonable times. 183
224		-	Sec. 4. Section 9-444 of the general statutes is repealed and the 184
225		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027): 185
226		-	(a) (1) In the case of a primary for state or district office, each person 186
227		-	certified by the Secretary of the State as provided in section 9-440, to 187
228		-	have received the greatest number of votes of the electors eligible to vote 188
229		-	in a primary for any office shall be deemed to have been chosen as the 189
230		-	nominee of such party to such office. 190
231		-	(2) In the case of a primary for a municipal office, the moderator, or 191
232		-	the head moderator, as the case may be, shall declare nominated the 192
233		-	person having the greatest number of votes for such office and, if more 193
234		-	than one person is to be nominated for the same office, he shall declare 194
235		-	nominated the persons having the greatest number of votes for such 195
236		-	office up to the number to be chosen. 196
237		-	(3) In the case of a primary for members of a town committee, such 197
238		-	moderator shall declare elected the persons having the greatest number 198
239		-	of votes for such positions up to the number to be chosen for such 199
240		-	positions. 200 Substitute Bill No. 1536
	219	+	LCO No. 6694 7 of 14
	220	+
	221	+	all primaries, a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to nominate 160
	222	+	or elect, as the case may be. 161
	223	+	(2) A major party may, pursuant to its party rules, (A) adopt ranked-162
	224	+	choice voting, as defined in section 1 of this act, for the conduct of any 163
	225	+	primary held on or after January 1, 2026, for any office to which electors 164
	226	+	nominate no more than one candidate, and (B) implement ranked-165
	227	+	choice voting procedures, as provided in section 1 of this act, at such 166
	228	+	primary. The chairperson or authorized representative of any such 167
	229	+	party shall provide notice to the Secretary of the State, or the Secretary's 168
	230	+	designee, of such party's adoption in accordance with a process and 169
	231	+	timeline established by the Secretary for the provision of such notice. 170
	232	+	Sec. 4. Section 9-473 of the general statutes is repealed and the 171
	233	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2026): 172
	234	+	(a) The secretary shall establish a process and timeline for the 173
	235	+	certification, by the chairman of each party to the secretary, of the 174
	236	+	number of delegates to which such party is entitled. 175
	237	+	(b) Not later than the [fourteenth day before the day of the primary] 176
	238	+	deadline set by the secretary pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, 177
	239	+	the chairman of each party shall certify in writing to the secretary the 178
	240	+	number of delegates to which such party is entitled pursuant to its rules. 179
	241	+	If such rules provide that such delegates are to be chosen from districts, 180
	242	+	the chairman shall also certify the number of delegates allocated to each 181
	243	+	district and the number to be selected at large, if any. Such rules (1) may 182
	244	+	[(1)] provide for ranked-choice voting, as defined in section 1 of this act, 183
	245	+	at any presidential preference primary held on or after January 1, 2028, 184
	246	+	and (2) may (A) prescribe a formula for the allocation of delegates to 185
	247	+	candidates based upon the percentages of the total votes cast for, or 186
	248	+	received in any round of tabulation under ranked-choice voting by, such 187
	249	+	candidates at the primary, or [(2)] (B) require that all delegates shall be 188
	250	+	allocated to the candidate [receiving] for whom the greatest number of 189
	251	+	votes were cast, or by whom the greatest number of votes were received 190
	252	+	Raised Bill No. 1536
241	253
242	254
243		-	LCO 8 of 15
244	255
245		-	(4) In the case of a primary for justice of the peace, such moderator 201
246		-	shall declare elected each person on the slate having the greatest number 202
247		-	of votes for such offices. 203
248		-	(b) (1) [In] Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, in 204
249		-	all primaries, a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to nominate 205
250		-	or elect, as the case may be. 206
251		-	(2) A major party may, pursuant to its party rules, (A) adopt ranked-207
252		-	choice voting, as defined in section 1 of this act, for the conduct of any 208
253		-	primary held on or after January 1, 2027, for any office to which electors 209
254		-	nominate no more than one candidate, and (B) implement ranked-210
255		-	choice voting procedures, as provided in section 1 of this act, at such 211
256		-	primary. The chairperson or authorized representative of any such 212
257		-	party shall provide notice to the Secretary of the State, or the Secretary's 213
258		-	designee, of such party's adoption in accordance with a process and 214
259		-	timeline established by the Secretary for the provision of such notice. 215
260		-	Sec. 5. Section 9-473 of the general statutes is repealed and the 216
261		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027): 217
262		-	(a) The secretary shall establish a process and deadline for the 218
263		-	certification, by the chairman of each party to the secretary, of the 219
264		-	number of delegates to which such party is entitled. 220
265		-	(b) Not later than the [fourteenth day before the day of the primary] 221
266		-	deadline established by the secretary pursuant to subsection (a) of this 222
267		-	section, the chairman of each party shall certify in writing to the 223
268		-	secretary the number of delegates to which such party is entitled 224
269		-	pursuant to its rules. If such rules provide that such delegates are to be 225
270		-	chosen from districts, the chairman shall also certify the number of 226
271		-	delegates allocated to each district and the number to be selected at 227
272		-	large, if any. Such rules (1) may [(1)] provide for ranked-choice voting, 228
273		-	as defined in section 1 of this act, at any presidential preference primary 229
274		-	held on or after January 1, 2028, and (2) may (A) prescribe a formula for 230
275		-	the allocation of delegates to candidates based upon the percentages of 231
276		-	the total votes cast for, or received in any round of tabulation under 232 Substitute Bill No. 1536
	256	+	LCO No. 6694 8 of 14
	257	+
	258	+	in any round of tabulation under ranked -choice voting, 191
	259	+	notwithstanding such candidate's percentage of the total votes cast for 192
	260	+	all candidates. If such rules prescribe a formula for the allocation of 193
	261	+	delegates to candidates based upon the percentages of the total votes 194
	262	+	cast for, or received in any round of tabulation under ranked-choice 195
	263	+	voting by, such candidates at the primary, the chairman shall also certify 196
	264	+	such formula and all information necessary for the application of such 197
	265	+	formula to the results of the primary. 198
	266	+	(c) The chairman of a party shall furnish to the secretary, upon 199
	267	+	request, a written interpretation or explanation of any ranked-choice 200
	268	+	voting provided for by such party's rules, or any application of [such] a 201
	269	+	delegate allocation formula prescribed, under subsection (b) of this 202
	270	+	section. 203
	271	+	Sec. 5. Section 9-476 of the general statutes is repealed and the 204
	272	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2026): 205
	273	+	(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or required for the 206
	274	+	purposes of implementing ranked-choice voting, as defined in section 1 207
	275	+	of this act, the provisions of chapter 145 and chapter 153 concerning 208
	276	+	absentee voting at primaries, conduct of primaries and return and 209
	277	+	tabulation of the vote at such primaries shall apply as nearly as 210
	278	+	practicable and in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of the State, 211
	279	+	to a presidential preference primary. 212
	280	+	(b) On and after January 1, 2028, if a party's rules so provide pursuant 213
	281	+	to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 9-473, as amended by this 214
	282	+	act, each presidential preference primary shall be conducted under 215
	283	+	ranked-choice voting. The secretary shall issue written instructions for 216
	284	+	the implementation of policies and procedures regarding tabulation and 217
	285	+	publication of preliminary and final results, including round-by-round 218
	286	+	results. Such instructions shall provide that if a candidate withdraws as 219
	287	+	of the day of the primary in accordance with applicable law, any ballot 220
	288	+	cast prior to the day of the primary on which such candidate was the 221
	289	+	Raised Bill No. 1536
277	290
278	291
279		-	LCO 9 of 15
280	292
281		-	ranked-choice voting by, such candidates at the primary, or [(2)] (B) 233
282		-	require that all delegates shall be allocated to the candidate [receiving] 234
283		-	for whom the greatest number of votes were cast, or by whom the 235
284		-	greatest number of votes were received in any round of tabulation 236
285		-	under ranked-choice voting, notwithstanding such candidate's 237
286		-	percentage of the total votes cast for all candidates. If such rules 238
287		-	prescribe a formula for the allocation of delegates to candidates based 239
288		-	upon the percentages of the total votes cast for, or received in any round 240
289		-	of tabulation under ranked-choice voting by, such candidates at the 241
290		-	primary, the chairman shall also certify such formula and all 242
291		-	information necessary for the application of such formula to the results 243
292		-	of the primary. 244
293		-	(c) The chairman of a party shall furnish to the secretary, upon 245
294		-	request, a written interpretation or explanation of any ranked-choice 246
295		-	voting provided for by such party's rules, or any application of [such] a 247
296		-	delegate allocation formula prescribed, under subsection (b) of this 248
297		-	section. 249
298		-	Sec. 6. Section 9-476 of the general statutes is repealed and the 250
299		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027): 251
300		-	(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or required for the 252
301		-	purposes of implementing ranked-choice voting, as defined in section 1 253
302		-	of this act, the provisions of chapter 145 and chapter 153 concerning 254
303		-	absentee voting at primaries, conduct of primaries and return and 255
304		-	tabulation of the vote at such primaries shall apply as nearly as 256
305		-	practicable and in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of the State, 257
306		-	to a presidential preference primary. 258
307		-	(b) On and after January 1, 2028, if a party's rules so provide pursuant 259
308		-	to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 9-473, as amended by this 260
309		-	act, each presidential preference primary shall be conducted under 261
310		-	ranked-choice voting. The secretary shall issue written instructions for 262
311		-	the implementation of policies and procedures regarding tabulation and 263
312		-	publication of preliminary and final results, including round-by-round 264 Substitute Bill No. 1536
	293	+	LCO No. 6694 9 of 14
	294	+
	295	+	highest-ranked candidate shall be counted as a vote for the next highest-222
	296	+	ranked candidate on such ballot. Such instructions shall take into 223
	297	+	account any procedures requested in writing by the chairman of the 224
	298	+	party holding such primary, which procedures are reasonable, 225
	299	+	compatible with the use of ranked-choice voting ballots and capable of 226
	300	+	being implemented using existing voting tabulators, including any 227
	301	+	associated hardware and software. The secretary shall post all such 228
	302	+	written instructions on the Internet web site of the office of the Secretary 229
	303	+	of the State. 230
	304	+	(c) The primary officials of each party for each polling place shall be 231
	305	+	as specified in section 9-436, except that (1) the appointment of assistant 232
	306	+	registrars of voters and absentee ballot counters shall be permitted but 233
	307	+	not required, (2) the minimum number of official checkers shall be one, 234
	308	+	(3) the minimum number of voting tabulator tenders shall be one for 235
	309	+	each two voting tabulators in use, (4) if two parties are holding 236
	310	+	primaries and the registrars of voters of such parties so agree, such 237
	311	+	registrars of voters may jointly appoint (A) one moderator of both 238
	312	+	primaries and (B) one enrolled member of either party to serve as head 239
	313	+	moderator of both primaries, (5) notwithstanding any reduction in the 240
	314	+	number of primary officials as permitted by this section, any duty 241
	315	+	required of primary officials by the general statutes may be performed 242
	316	+	by one or more primary officials, at the direction of the registrar of 243
	317	+	voters of the party of such officials, and (6) the registrar of voters shall 244
	318	+	have the sole power to appoint such officials. In making such 245
	319	+	appointments the registrar shall attempt, to the extent practicable, to 246
	320	+	provide representation for each candidate at each polling place. The 247
	321	+	provisions of section 9-436a shall apply to each candidate whose name 248
	322	+	appears on the ballot, except that each such candidate, through such 249
	323	+	candidate's authorized or known representative, may submit to the 250
	324	+	registrar of voters the name of one designee as candidate checker for 251
	325	+	each polling place, and the registrar of voters shall appoint such 252
	326	+	designee as candidate checker for such candidate. 253
	327	+	(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-438, the polls shall be 254
	328	+	Raised Bill No. 1536
313	329
314	330
315		-	LCO 10 of 15
316	331
317		-	~~results~~. ~~Such instructions shall provide that if a candidate withdraws as 265~~
318		-	~~of the day of the primary in accordance with applicable law, any ballot 266~~
319		-	~~cast prior to the day of~~ the primary ~~on which such candidate was~~ the ~~267~~
320		-	~~highest-ranked candidate shall be counted as a vote for the next highest-268~~
321		-	~~ranked candidate on such ballot.~~ ~~Such instructions shall take into 269~~
322		-	~~account any procedures requested~~ in ~~writing by~~ the ~~chairman of the 270~~
323		-	~~party holding such primary~~, ~~which procedures are reasonable~~, ~~271~~
324		-	~~compatible with the use of ranked-choice~~ ~~voting ballots and capable of 272~~
325		-	~~being implemented using existing voting tabulators~~, ~~including any 273~~
326		-	~~associated hardware and software.~~ The secretary ~~shall post all such 274~~
327		-	~~written instructions on the Internet web site~~ of the ~~office of~~ the ~~Secretary 275~~
328		-	of the State~~. 276~~
329		-	~~(c)~~ The primary ~~officials of each party for each polling place shall be 277~~
330		-	~~as specified in section 9-436~~, ~~except that (1)~~ the ~~appointment of assistant 278~~
331		-	~~registrars of voters and absentee ballot counters~~ shall ~~be permitted but 279~~
332		-	~~not required,~~ ~~(2) the minimum number~~ of ~~official checkers shall be one, 280~~
333		-	~~(3)~~ the ~~minimum number of voting tabulator tenders shall be one for 281~~
334		-	~~each two voting tabulators~~ in ~~use~~, (4) ~~if two parties are holding 282~~
335		-	~~primaries and the registrars of voters of such parties so agree,~~ ~~such 283~~
336		-	~~registrars of voters may jointly appoint~~ (A) ~~one moderator of both 284~~
337		-	~~primaries and (B) one enrolled member of either party~~ to ~~serve as head 285~~
338		-	~~moderator~~ of ~~both primaries, (5)~~ notwithstanding ~~any reduction in~~ the ~~286~~
339		-	~~number of primary officials as permitted by this section~~, ~~any duty 287~~
340		-	~~required~~ of ~~primary officials by the general statutes may~~ be ~~performed 288~~
341		-	~~by one or more primary officials, at~~ the ~~direction~~ of ~~the registrar of 289~~
342		-	~~voters of~~ the party ~~of such officials,~~ ~~and (6) the registrar of voters shall 290~~
343		-	~~have the sole power to appoint~~ such ~~officials. In making such 291~~
344		-	~~appointments~~ the ~~registrar shall attempt,~~ ~~to the extent practicable,~~ ~~to 292~~
345		-	~~provide representation for each candidate at each polling place~~. ~~The 293~~
346		-	~~provisions of section 9-436a shall apply to each~~ candidate ~~whose name 294~~
347		-	~~appears on~~ the ~~ballot, except that each such candidate,~~ ~~through such 295~~
348		-	~~candidate's authorized or known representative,~~ ~~may submit~~ to ~~the 296~~
349		-	~~registrar of voters the name of one designee as candidate checker for 297~~
350		-	~~each polling place, and the registrar of voters shall appoint such 298 Substitute~~ Bill No. 1536
	332	+	LCO No. 6694 10 of 14
	333	+
	334	+	open for voting at the primary between the hours of six o'clock a.m. and 255
	335	+	eight o'clock p.m. 256
	336	+	(e) The moderator or head moderator of the primary in each town 257
	337	+	shall prepare duplicate head moderator returns in the manner provided 258
	338	+	by section 9-440, but notwithstanding the provisions of said section, the 259
	339	+	moderator or head moderator may electronically transmit such returns 260
	340	+	not later than eleven fifty-nine o'clock p.m. on primary day, provided a 261
	341	+	hard copy is mailed to the [Secretary of the State] secretary not later than 262
	342	+	two o'clock p.m. of the day following the primary or shall hand deliver 263
	343	+	one of such returns to either the [Secretary] secretary or the state police 264
	344	+	by two o'clock p.m. of the day following the primary. Any moderator or 265
	345	+	head moderator, as the case may be, who fails to deliver such returns to 266
	346	+	either the [Secretary] secretary or the state police by such time shall pay 267
	347	+	a late filing fee of fifty dollars. 268
	348	+	Sec. 6. Section 9-484 of the general statutes is repealed and the 269
	349	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2026): 270
	350	+	(a) If a party's chairman did not certify (1) a formula pursuant to 271
	351	+	section 9-473, as amended by this act, or (2) a requirement that all 272
	352	+	delegates shall be allocated to the candidate receiving the greatest 273
	353	+	number of votes notwithstanding such candidate's percentage of the 274
	354	+	total votes cast for all candidates, the secretary shall determine the 275
	355	+	number of delegates to be so allocated to each candidate of each such 276
	356	+	party in accordance with the provisions of this section, provided such 277
	357	+	allocations when the party rules do not provide for ranked-choice 278
	358	+	voting shall be made under subsection (b) of this section and such 279
	359	+	allocations when the party rules do provide for ranked-choice voting 280
	360	+	shall be made under subsection (c) of this section. As used in this section, 281
	361	+	"ranked-choice voting", "active candidate" and "withdrawn candidate" 282
	362	+	have the same meanings as provided in section 1 of this act. 283
	363	+	(b) (1) [Such determination shall be made separately for delegates to 284
	364	+	be selected at large and delegates to be selected from each district. Any] 285
	365	+	Raised Bill No. 1536
351	366
352	367
353		-	LCO 11 of 15
354	368
355		-	designee as candidate checker for such candidate. 299
356		-	(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-438, the polls shall be 300
357		-	open for voting at the primary between the hours of six o'clock a.m. and 301
358		-	eight o'clock p.m. 302
359		-	(e) The moderator or head moderator of the primary in each town 303
360		-	shall prepare duplicate head moderator returns in the manner provided 304
361		-	by section 9-440, but notwithstanding the provisions of said section, the 305
362		-	moderator or head moderator may electronically transmit such returns 306
363		-	not later than eleven fifty-nine o'clock p.m. on primary day, provided a 307
364		-	hard copy is mailed to the [Secretary of the State] secretary not later than 308
365		-	two o'clock p.m. of the day following the primary or shall hand deliver 309
366		-	one of such returns to either the [Secretary] secretary or the state police 310
367		-	by two o'clock p.m. of the day following the primary. Any moderator or 311
368		-	head moderator, as the case may be, who fails to deliver such returns to 312
369		-	either the [Secretary] secretary or the state police by such time shall pay 313
370		-	a late filing fee of fifty dollars. 314
371		-	Sec. 7. Section 9-484 of the general statutes is repealed and the 315
372		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027): 316
373		-	(a) If a party's chairman did not certify (1) a formula pursuant to 317
374		-	section 9-473, as amended by this act, or (2) a requirement that all 318
375		-	delegates shall be allocated to the candidate receiving the greatest 319
376		-	number of votes notwithstanding such candidate's percentage of the 320
377		-	total votes cast for all candidates, the secretary shall determine the 321
378		-	number of delegates to be so allocated to each candidate of each such 322
379		-	party in accordance with the provisions of this section, provided such 323
380		-	allocations when the party rules do not provide for ranked-choice 324
381		-	voting shall be made under subsection (b) of this section and such 325
382		-	allocations when the party rules do provide for ranked-choice voting 326
383		-	shall be made under subsection (c) of this section. As used in this section, 327
384		-	"ranked-choice voting", "active candidate" and "withdrawn candidate" 328
385		-	have the same meanings as provided in section 1 of this act. 329
386		-	(b) (1) [Such determination shall be made separately for delegates to 330 Substitute Bill No. 1536
	369	+	LCO No. 6694 11 of 14
	370	+
	371	+	For allocations under this subsection when party rules do not provide 286
	372	+	for ranked-choice voting, any percentage required to be determined, in 287
	373	+	accordance with the provisions of this [section] subsection, shall be 288
	374	+	rounded off to the nearest one-tenth of one per cent. As used in this 289
	375	+	[section] subsection, "minimum percentage" means the ratio, expressed 290
	376	+	as a percentage, that the number one bears to the total number of 291
	377	+	delegates to be selected, but in no event shall such percentage exceed 292
	378	+	twenty-five per cent. 293
	379	+	[(c)] (2) The secretary shall calculate the minimum percentage, as 294
	380	+	defined in [subsection (b) of this section] subdivision (1) of this 295
	381	+	subsection, using the number of delegates to be selected at large and, if 296
	382	+	applicable, the number of delegates to be selected from each district 297
	383	+	respectively. Except as provided in this [subsection] subdivision, a 298
	384	+	candidate's percentage of the total votes cast for all candidates in the 299
	385	+	state or in a district [must] is required to equal or exceed such minimum 300
	386	+	percentage in order for such candidate to be allocated any at large 301
	387	+	delegates or any delegates from such district, as the case may be. The 302
	388	+	secretary shall determine each candidate's percentage of the total votes 303
	389	+	cast for all candidates in the state and in each district. In the event two 304
	390	+	or more candidates have received a percentage of such total votes cast 305
	391	+	equal to or greater than the minimum percentage, the secretary shall 306
	392	+	calculate an adjusted percentage, which shall be each such candidate's 307
	393	+	percentage of the total votes cast for all such candidates, excluding the 308
	394	+	votes cast for all other candidates. The secretary shall then calculate the 309
	395	+	product of each such candidate's adjusted percentage and the total 310
	396	+	number of delegates to be selected, rounding off such product to the 311
	397	+	nearest integer. Such product shall be the number of delegates allocated 312
	398	+	to each such candidate except as hereinafter provided. [(1)] (A) If the 313
	399	+	rounding off of such products to the nearest integers causes the sum of 314
	400	+	all delegates so allocated to be greater than the total number of delegates 315
	401	+	to be selected at large or from the district, then one delegate shall be 316
	402	+	subtracted from the number allocated to the candidate who received the 317
	403	+	greatest mathematical gain from such rounding off, and if necessary one 318
	404	+	Raised Bill No. 1536
387	405
388	406
389		-	LCO 12 of 15
390	407
391		-	be selected at large and delegates to be selected from each district. Any] 331
392		-	For allocations under this subsection when party rules do not provide 332
393		-	for ranked-choice voting, any percentage required to be determined, in 333
394		-	accordance with the provisions of this [section] subsection, shall be 334
395		-	rounded off to the nearest one-tenth of one per cent. As used in this 335
396		-	[section] subsection, "minimum percentage" means the ratio, expressed 336
397		-	as a percentage, that the number one bears to the total number of 337
398		-	delegates to be selected, but in no event shall such percentage exceed 338
399		-	twenty-five per cent. 339
400		-	[(c)] (2) (A) The secretary shall calculate the minimum percentage, as 340
401		-	defined in [subsection (b) of this section] subdivision (1) of this 341
402		-	subsection, using the number of delegates to be selected at large and, if 342
403		-	applicable, the number of delegates to be selected from each district 343
404		-	respectively. Except as provided in this [subsection] subdivision, a 344
405		-	candidate's percentage of the total votes cast for all candidates in the 345
406		-	state or in a district [must] is required to equal or exceed such minimum 346
407		-	percentage in order for such candidate to be allocated any at large 347
408		-	delegates or any delegates from such district, as the case may be. The 348
409		-	secretary shall determine each candidate's percentage of the total votes 349
410		-	cast for all candidates in the state and in each district. In the event two 350
411		-	or more candidates have received a percentage of such total votes cast 351
412		-	equal to or greater than the minimum percentage, the secretary shall 352
413		-	calculate an adjusted percentage, which shall be each such candidate's 353
414		-	percentage of the total votes cast for all such candidates, excluding the 354
415		-	votes cast for all other candidates. The secretary shall then calculate the 355
416		-	product of each such candidate's adjusted percentage and the total 356
417		-	number of delegates to be selected, rounding off such product to the 357
418		-	nearest integer. Such product shall be the number of delegates allocated 358
419		-	to each such candidate except as hereinafter provided. 359
420		-	[(1)] (B) If the rounding off of such products to the nearest integers 360
421		-	causes the sum of all delegates so allocated to be greater than the total 361
422		-	number of delegates to be selected at large or from the district, then one 362
423		-	delegate shall be subtracted from the number allocated to the candidate 363
424		-	who received the greatest mathematical gain from such rounding off, 364 Substitute Bill No. 1536
	408	+	LCO No. 6694 12 of 14
	409	+
	410	+	delegate shall also be subtracted from the number allocated to the 319
	411	+	candidate who received the next greatest gain, and so on until the sum 320
	412	+	of all delegates allocated to candidates equals the total number of 321
	413	+	delegates to be so selected. [(2)] (B) If the rounding off of such products 322
	414	+	to the nearest integers causes the sum of all delegates so allocated to be 323
	415	+	fewer than the total number of delegates to be selected at large or from 324
	416	+	the district, then one delegate shall be added to the number allocated to 325
	417	+	the candidate who suffered the greatest mathematical loss from such 326
	418	+	rounding off, and if necessary one delegate shall also be added to the 327
	419	+	number allocated to the candidate who suffered the next greatest such 328
	420	+	loss, and so on until the sum of all delegates allocated to candidates 329
	421	+	equals the total number of delegates to be so selected. 330
	422	+	[(d)] (3) In the event one or no candidate has received a percentage of 331
	423	+	the total number of votes cast for all candidates equal to or greater than 332
	424	+	the minimum percentage, the secretary shall calculate an adjusted 333
	425	+	percentage for each of the candidates receiving the greatest and second 334
	426	+	greatest number of votes cast for all candidates. The adjusted percentage 335
	427	+	shall be such candidate's percentage of the total number of votes cast for 336
	428	+	both such candidates, excluding the total number of votes cast for all 337
	429	+	other candidates. The secretary shall determine the number of delegates 338
	430	+	allocated to each candidate by using the same procedure as prescribed 339
	431	+	in [subsection (c) of this section] subdivision (2) of this subsection. 340
	432	+	(c) For allocations under this subsection when party rules do provide 341
	433	+	for ranked-choice voting, the secretary shall determine the number of 342
	434	+	delegates, if any, to be allocated at large to each candidate and, if 343
	435	+	applicable, the number of delegates, if any, to be allocated to each 344
	436	+	candidate from each district respectively. An active candidate's 345
	437	+	percentage of the votes received by all active candidates in the state or 346
	438	+	in a district is required to equal or exceed fifteen per cent in order for 347
	439	+	such candidate to be allocated any at large delegates or any delegates 348
	440	+	from such district, as the case may be. The secretary shall determine each 349
	441	+	candidate's percentage of the votes received by all active candidates 350
	442	+	under ranked-choice voting in the state and in each district. Each ballot 351
	443	+	Raised Bill No. 1536
425	444
426	445
427		-	LCO 13 of 15
428	446
429		-	and if necessary one delegate shall also be subtracted from the number 365
430		-	allocated to the candidate who received the next greatest gain, and so 366
431		-	on until the sum of all delegates allocated to candidates equals the total 367
432		-	number of delegates to be so selected. 368
433		-	[(2)] (C) If the rounding off of such products to the nearest integers 369
434		-	causes the sum of all delegates so allocated to be fewer than the total 370
435		-	number of delegates to be selected at large or from the district, then one 371
436		-	delegate shall be added to the number allocated to the candidate who 372
437		-	suffered the greatest mathematical loss from such rounding off, and if 373
438		-	necessary one delegate shall also be added to the number allocated to 374
439		-	the candidate who suffered the next greatest such loss, and so on until 375
440		-	the sum of all delegates allocated to candidates equals the total number 376
441		-	of delegates to be so selected. 377
442		-	[(d)] (3) In the event one or no candidate has received a percentage of 378
443		-	the total number of votes cast for all candidates equal to or greater than 379
444		-	the minimum percentage, the secretary shall calculate an adjusted 380
445		-	percentage for each of the candidates receiving the greatest and second 381
446		-	greatest number of votes cast for all candidates. The adjusted percentage 382
447		-	shall be such candidate's percentage of the total number of votes cast for 383
448		-	both such candidates, excluding the total number of votes cast for all 384
449		-	other candidates. The secretary shall determine the number of delegates 385
450		-	allocated to each candidate by using the same procedure as prescribed 386
451		-	in [subsection (c) of this section] subdivision (2) of this subsection. 387
452		-	(c) (1) For allocations under this subsection when party rules do 388
453		-	provide for ranked-choice voting, the secretary shall determine the 389
454		-	number of delegates, if any, to be allocated at large to each candidate 390
455		-	and, if applicable, the number of delegates, if any, to be allocated to each 391
456		-	candidate from each district respectively. An active candidate's 392
457		-	percentage of the votes received by all active candidates in the state or 393
458		-	in a district is required to equal or exceed fifteen per cent in order for 394
459		-	such candidate to be allocated any at large delegates or any delegates 395
460		-	from such district, as the case may be. The secretary shall determine each 396
461		-	candidate's percentage of the votes received by all active candidates 397 Substitute Bill No. 1536
	447	+	LCO No. 6694 13 of 14
	448	+
	449	+	shall count as one vote for the highest-ranked candidate on such ballot 352
	450	+	and shall be deemed a vote for delegates pledged to support such 353
	451	+	candidate in accordance with party rules or applicable provisions of this 354
	452	+	title. Any rankings for withdrawn candidates shall be treated as 355
	453	+	rankings for eliminated candidates. If the vote total for any active 356
	454	+	candidate is less than fifteen per cent, the active candidate with the 357
	455	+	fewest votes shall be eliminated and the votes for the eliminated 358
	456	+	candidate shall be counted for each ballot's next highest-ranked active 359
	457	+	candidate. If the vote total of all active candidates is above fifteen per 360
	458	+	cent, tabulation shall be complete. For the purpose of applying the 361
	459	+	provisions of section 9-482, votes cast for a candidate, as described in 362
	460	+	said section, and each candidate's percentage of total votes shall be 363
	461	+	determined by the secretary on the basis of the votes received in the final 364
	462	+	round of tabulation. The secretary shall then calculate the product of 365
	463	+	each such active candidate's percentage and the total number of 366
	464	+	delegates to be selected, rounding off such product to the nearest 367
	465	+	integer. Such product shall be the number of delegates allocated to each 368
	466	+	such candidate except as hereinafter provided. (1) If the rounding off of 369
	467	+	such products to the nearest integers causes the sum of all delegates so 370
	468	+	allocated to be greater than the total number of delegates to be selected 371
	469	+	at large or from the district, then one delegate shall be subtracted from 372
	470	+	the number allocated to the candidate who received the greatest 373
	471	+	mathematical gain from such rounding off, and if necessary one 374
	472	+	delegate shall also be subtracted from the number allocated to the 375
	473	+	candidate who received the next greatest gain, and so on until the sum 376
	474	+	of all delegates allocated to candidates equals the total number of 377
	475	+	delegates to be so selected. (2) If the rounding off of such products to the 378
	476	+	nearest integers causes the sum of all delegates so allocated to be fewer 379
	477	+	than the total number of delegates to be selected at large or from the 380
	478	+	district, then one delegate shall be added to the number allocated to the 381
	479	+	candidate who suffered the greatest mathematical loss from such 382
	480	+	rounding off, and if necessary one delegate shall also be added to the 383
	481	+	number allocated to the candidate who suffered the next greatest such 384
	482	+	loss, and so on until the sum of all delegates allocated to candidates 385
	483	+	Raised Bill No. 1536
462	484
463	485
464		-	LCO 14 of 15
465	486
466		-	under ranked-choice voting in the state and in each district. Each ballot 398
467		-	shall count as one vote for the highest-ranked candidate on such ballot 399
468		-	and shall be deemed a vote for delegates pledged to support such 400
469		-	candidate in accordance with party rules or applicable provisions of this 401
470		-	title. Any rankings for withdrawn candidates shall be treated as 402
471		-	rankings for eliminated candidates. If the vote total for any active 403
472		-	candidate is less than fifteen per cent, the active candidate with the 404
473		-	fewest votes shall be eliminated and the votes for the eliminated 405
474		-	candidate shall be counted for each ballot's next highest-ranked active 406
475		-	candidate. If the vote total of all active candidates is above fifteen per 407
476		-	cent, tabulation shall be complete. For the purpose of section 9-482, 408
477		-	votes cast for a candidate and each candidate's percentage of total votes 409
478		-	shall be determined by the secretary on the basis of the votes received 410
479		-	in the final round of tabulation. The secretary shall then calculate the 411
480		-	product of each such active candidate's percentage and the total number 412
481		-	of delegates to be selected, rounding off such product to the nearest 413
482		-	integer. Such product shall be the number of delegates allocated to each 414
483		-	such candidate except as hereinafter provided. 415
484		-	(2) If the rounding off of such products to the nearest integers causes 416
485		-	the sum of all delegates so allocated to be greater than the total number 417
486		-	of delegates to be selected at large or from the district, then one delegate 418
487		-	shall be subtracted from the number allocated to the candidate who 419
488		-	received the greatest mathematical gain from such rounding off, and if 420
489		-	necessary one delegate shall also be subtracted from the number 421
490		-	allocated to the candidate who received the next greatest gain, and so 422
491		-	on until the sum of all delegates allocated to candidates equals the total 423
492		-	number of delegates to be so selected. 424
493		-	(3) If the rounding off of such products to the nearest integers causes 425
494		-	the sum of all delegates so allocated to be fewer than the total number 426
495		-	of delegates to be selected at large or from the district, then one delegate 427
496		-	shall be added to the number allocated to the candidate who suffered 428
497		-	the greatest mathematical loss from such rounding off, and if necessary 429
498		-	one delegate shall also be added to the number allocated to the 430
499		-	candidate who suffered the next greatest such loss, and so on until the 431 Substitute Bill No. 1536
	487	+	LCO No. 6694 14 of 14
500	488
501		-
502		-	LCO 15 of 15
503		-
504		-	sum of all delegates allocated to candidates equals the total number of 432
505		-	delegates to be so selected. 433
	489	+	equals the total number of delegates to be so selected. 386
506	490		This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
507	491		sections:
508	492
509		-	Section 1 January 1, 2027 New section
510		-	Sec. 2 January 1, 2027 9-173
511		-	Sec. 3 January 1, 2027 New section
512		-	Sec. 4 January 1, 2027 9-444
513		-	Sec. 5 January 1, 2027 9-473
514		-	Sec. 6 January 1, 2027 9-476
515		-	Sec. 7 January 1, 2027 9-484
	493	+	Section 1 January 1, 2026 New section
	494	+	Sec. 2 January 1, 2026 New section
	495	+	Sec. 3 January 1, 2026 9-444
	496	+	Sec. 4 January 1, 2026 9-473
	497	+	Sec. 5 January 1, 2026 9-476
	498	+	Sec. 6 January 1, 2026 9-484
516	499
517		-	Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
518		-	In Section 1(c)(1)(B)(i), "preference, except that if such" was changed to
519		-	"preference. If such" and "five such candidates" was changed to "five
520		-	candidates" for clarity; in Section 1(e), "section 9-445 of the general
521		-	statutes, or section 9-311a of the general statutes" was changed to
522		-	"section 9-445 or 9-311a of the general statutes" for conciseness; in
523		-	Section 3(b)(2), "and any similar reference thereto" was changed to "and
524		-	of any similar reference to the per cent of such votes" for clarity; in
525		-	Section 4(b)(2), "January 1, 2026" was changed to "January 1, 2027" for
526		-	accuracy; in Section 5(a), "timeline" was changed to "deadline" for
527		-	consistency; in Section 5(b), "deadline set" was changed to "deadline
528		-	established" for consistency; in Section 7, the provisions of Subsecs.
529		-	(b)(2) and (c) were subdivided and redesignated for clarity; and in
530		-	Section 7(c)(1), the penultimate sentence was redrafted for clarity.
	500	+	Statement of Purpose:
	501	+	To afford political parties the flexibility to use ranked-choice voting in
	502	+	party caucuses, conventions and primaries, including presidential
	503	+	preference primaries.
531	504
532		-	GAE Joint Favorable Subst.
	505	+	[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
	506	+	that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
	507	+	underlined.]
533	508