SB 176: Elections; ranked choice voting, locally elected offices, report.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Elections; conduct of election; ranked choice voting; locally elected offices; report. Expands the option to use ranked choice voting from only elections for county board of supervisors and city councils to any local governing body. The bill requires the State Board of Elections to provide standards and to approve vote tabulating software for use with existing voting systems in elections conducted by ranked choice voting. The bill provides for copying damaged or defective ballots that cannot be properly counted by electronic voting systems. The bill allows localities to request risk-limiting audits of elections conducted using ranked choice voting and provides that no such election may be included in any random drawing required to satisfy the general requirements for risk-limiting audits. The bill specifies that the State Board is required to produce generalized voter education materials on ranked choice voting and is also permitted to create and modify recount procedures to the extent necessary to accommodate a recount of an election. The bill directs the Department of Elections to review the testing and approval framework for voting equipment in the Commonwealth and submit a report of such review no later than the first day of the 2027 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Finally, the bill repeals the 2031 expiration of the option to use ranked choice voting in elections, making such option permanent. This bill is identical to HB 630.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 6

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 11, 2026Governor's recommendation received by Senate
2. March 10, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
3. March 10, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
4. February 27, 2026Signed by President
5. February 27, 2026Signed by Speaker
6. February 27, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB176)
7. February 27, 2026Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB176ER)
8. February 27, 2026Enrolled
9. February 25, 2026Passed House (64-Y 34-N 0-A)
10. February 25, 2026Read third time
11. February 24, 2026Read second time
12. February 20, 2026Reported from Privileges and Elections (15-Y 6-N)

Showing 12 most recent of 27 actions. Full history