HF 367

1st Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/17/2014 03:50pm

A bill for an act
relating to elections; authorizing jurisdictions to adopt ranked-choice voting;
establishing procedures for adoption, implementation, and use of ranked-choice
voting; amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205.13, subdivision 2;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 206; proposing
coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 204E.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [204E.01] APPLICABILITY.
new text end

new text begin This chapter applies to all elections expressly authorized in statute to use
ranked-choice voting. All other provisions of the Minnesota Election Law also apply, to
the extent they are not inconsistent with this chapter.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [204E.02] DEFINITIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin The definitions in this section apply to this chapter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Batch elimination. new text end

new text begin "Batch elimination" means a simultaneous defeat of
multiple continuing candidates that have no mathematical chance of being elected.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Chief election official. new text end

new text begin "Chief election official" means the principal officer
in the jurisdiction charged with duties relating to elections.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Duplicate ranking. new text end

new text begin "Duplicate ranking" means a voter has ranked the
same candidate at multiple rankings for the office being counted.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Exhausted ballot. new text end

new text begin "Exhausted ballot" means a ballot that can no longer be
advanced under the procedures in section 204E.06.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Highest continuing ranking. new text end

new text begin "Highest continuing ranking" means the
ranking on a voter's ballot with the lowest numerical value for a continuing candidate.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Mathematically impossible to be elected. new text end

new text begin "Mathematically impossible to
be elected" means either:
new text end

new text begin (1) the candidate cannot be elected because the candidate's current vote total plus all
votes that could possibly be transferred to the candidate in future rounds from candidates
with fewer votes or an equal number of votes and surplus votes would not be enough to
surpass the candidate with the next higher current vote total; or
new text end

new text begin (2) the candidate has a lower current vote total than a candidate who is described
by clause (1).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Overvote. new text end

new text begin "Overvote" means a voter has ranked more than one candidate
at the same ranking.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Partially defective ballot. new text end

new text begin "Partially defective ballot" means a ballot that
is defective to the extent that the election judges are unable to determine the voter's intent
with respect to the office being counted.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Ranked-choice voting. new text end

new text begin "Ranked-choice voting" means an election
method in which voters rank candidates for an office in order of their preference, with
each vote counting for the highest-ranked continuing candidate on each ballot until that
candidate has been elected or defeated by the method established in this chapter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Ranked-choice voting tabulation center. new text end

new text begin "Ranked-choice voting
tabulation center" means the place selected for the automatic or manual processing and
tabulation of ballots.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Ranking. new text end

new text begin "Ranking" means the number assigned by a voter to a candidate
to express the voter's preference for that candidate. Ranking number one is the highest
ranking. A ranking of lower numerical value indicates a greater preference for a candidate
than a ranking of higher numerical value.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Round. new text end

new text begin "Round" means an instance of the sequence of voting tabulation
steps established in section 204E.06.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Skipped ranking. new text end

new text begin "Skipped ranking" means a voter has left a ranking
blank and ranks a candidate at a subsequent ranking.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin Surplus. new text end

new text begin "Surplus" means the total number of votes cast for an elected
candidate in excess of the threshold.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 16. new text end

new text begin Surplus fraction of a vote. new text end

new text begin "Surplus fraction of a vote" means the
proportion of each vote to be transferred when a surplus is transferred. The surplus
fraction is calculated by dividing the surplus by the total votes cast for the elected
candidate, calculated to four decimal places, ignoring any remainder.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 17. new text end

new text begin Threshold. new text end

new text begin "Threshold" means the number of votes sufficient for a
candidate to be elected. In any given election, the threshold equals the total votes counted
in the first round after removing defective ballots, divided by the sum of one plus the
number of offices to be filled and adding one to the quotient, disregarding any fractions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 18. new text end

new text begin Transfer value. new text end

new text begin "Transfer value" means the fraction of a vote that a
transferred ballot will contribute to the next ranked continuing candidate on that ballot.
The transfer value of a vote cast for an elected candidate is calculated by multiplying
the surplus fraction of each vote by its current value, calculated to four decimal places,
ignoring any remainder. The transfer value of a vote cast for a defeated candidate is the
same as its current value.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 19. new text end

new text begin Transferable vote. new text end

new text begin "Transferable vote" means a vote or a fraction of a
vote for a candidate who has been either elected or defeated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 20. new text end

new text begin Totally defective ballot. new text end

new text begin "Totally defective ballot" means a ballot that is
defective to the extent that election judges are unable to determine the voter's intent for
any office on the ballot.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 21. new text end

new text begin Undervote. new text end

new text begin "Undervote" means a voter did not rank any candidates
for an office.
new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [204E.03] AUTHORIZATION TO ADOPT RANKED-CHOICE VOTING;
IMPLEMENTATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) The following political subdivisions may adopt, in the manner provided in
this subdivision, ranked-choice voting as a method of voting for local offices within
the political subdivision:
new text end

new text begin (1) home rule charter or statutory cities;
new text end

new text begin (2) counties;
new text end

new text begin (3) towns; and
new text end

new text begin (4) school districts.
new text end

new text begin (b) A jurisdiction that adopts ranked-choice voting may do so by adopting an
ordinance, resolution, or in the case of a charter city by approval of voters of the city at
a special or general election. If adoption by voter approval is used, the question placed
on the ballot shall read "Shall (name of the jurisdiction) adopt the use of ranked-choice
voting to elect local officials?" If a majority of voters voting on the question vote yes,
ranked-choice voting shall be used in the jurisdiction to elect local officials. Use of the
ranked-choice voting method may be repealed and it must be done by the same method
provided for adoption.
new text end

new text begin (c) A home rule charter jurisdiction may adopt a ranked-choice voting system in
its charter. Adoption of a ranked-choice voting system may be made by reference to
this chapter in the charter. If ranked-choice voting is adopted by charter, it may only be
repealed by amending the charter. Nothing in this chapter prevents a home rule charter
jurisdiction from adopting another voting method in its charter.
new text end

new text begin (d) Ranked-choice voting shall only be used to elect local offices at a general or
special election. A primary election must not be held for any nonpartisan offices that are
elected using ranked-choice voting.
new text end

new text begin (e) A jurisdiction that adopts the use of ranked-choice voting in local elections must
do so no later than 30 days before the first day for filing affidavits of candidacy for the
office for which ranked-choice voting is to be used as the method of election.
new text end

new text begin (f) Repeal of ranked-choice voting must be no later than 30 days before the first day
for filing affidavits of candidacy for offices for which ranked-choice voting is used as
the method of election.
new text end

new text begin (g) The chief election official shall notify the secretary of state and, if applicable, the
county auditor within 30 days following adoption or repeal of ranked-choice voting.
new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin [204E.04] BALLOTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Ballot format. new text end

new text begin (a) If there are two or more qualified candidates,
a ballot must allow a voter to rank at least three candidates for the office in order of
preference. In the case of a multiseat race, if there are three or more qualified candidates,
a ballot must allow a voter to rank at least three candidates for each office in order of
preference. Regardless of the number of qualified candidates or number of seats to be
elected, the ballot must permit the voter to add, and rank, write-in candidates for the office.
new text end

new text begin (b) A ballot must:
new text end

new text begin (1) include instructions to voters that clearly indicate how to mark the ballot;
new text end

new text begin (2) include instructions to voters that clearly indicate how to rank candidates in
order of the voter's preference; and
new text end

new text begin (3) indicate the number of seats to be elected for each office.
new text end

new text begin (c) A jurisdiction may use ballots compatible with alphanumeric character
recognition voting equipment.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Mixed-election method ballots. new text end

new text begin If elections are held in which
ranked-choice voting is used in addition to other methods of voting, the ranked-choice
voting and non-ranked-choice voting elections must be on the same ballot card if possible,
with ranked-choice voting and non-ranked-choice voting portions clearly separated on the
ballot card. A separate ballot card may be used if necessary. A jurisdiction may deviate
from the standard ballot order of offices only to the extent necessary to allow separation of
ranked-choice voting and non-ranked-choice voting elections.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Ballot format. new text end

new text begin The chief election official shall determine the ballot format
after a voting mechanism has been selected, consistent with this section.
new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin [204E.05] RANKED-CHOICE VOTING TABULATION CENTER.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Tabulation of votes; generally. new text end

new text begin The chief election official shall
designate one location to serve as the ranked-choice voting tabulation center. The
center must be accessible to the public for the purpose of observing the vote tabulation.
Tabulation of votes must be conducted as described in section 204E.06.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Precinct tabulation. new text end

new text begin When the hours for voting have ended and all voting
has concluded, the election judges in each precinct shall record and publicly declare
the number of first choices cast for each candidate in that precinct. The election judges
must then securely transfer all electronic voting data and ballots from the precinct to the
ranked-choice voting tabulation center designated under this section. Upon receipt at the
ranked-choice voting tabulation center, all electronic voting data and ballots shall be
secured.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Notice of recess in count. new text end

new text begin At any time following receipt of materials under
subdivision 1, the chief election official may declare a recess for meals or other necessary
purposes. Notice of the recess must include the date, time, and location at which the
process of recording and tabulating votes will resume and the reason for the recess. Notice
must be posted on the city's official bulletin board and on the door of the ranked-choice
voting tabulation center.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Recording write-in votes. new text end

new text begin At a time set by the chief election official,
the judges of the election shall convene at the ranked-choice voting tabulation center to
examine ballots on which voters have indicated a write-in choice, and record the names
and number of votes received by each write-in candidate. In the event that votes cast for
the write-in category are not eliminated as provided in section 204E.06, the results must
be entered into the ranked-choice voting tabulation software, if used.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Ranked-choice vote tabulation. new text end

new text begin After all votes have been recorded, and at
a time set by the chief election official, the process of tabulating votes cast for offices to be
elected using the ranked-choice method must begin. The counting must continue until
preliminary results for all races are determined, subject to subdivision 3.
new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin [204E.06] TABULATION OF VOTES.
new text end

new text begin (a) Tabulation of votes at the ranked-choice voting tabulation center must proceed
in rounds for each office to be counted. The threshold must be calculated and publicly
declared. Each round must proceed sequentially as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number of votes cast for each candidate for the current round must be counted.
If the number of candidates whose vote totals equal or exceed the threshold are equal to
the number of seats to be filled, those candidates who are continuing candidates are elected
and the tabulation is complete. If the number of candidates whose vote totals are equal to
or greater than the threshold is not equal to the number of seats to be filled, a new round
begins and the tabulation must continue as provided in the remainder of this paragraph;
new text end

new text begin (2) surplus votes for any candidates whose vote totals are equal to or greater than
the threshold must be calculated;
new text end

new text begin (3) after any surplus votes are calculated but not yet transferred, all candidates for
whom it is mathematically impossible to be elected must be defeated by batch elimination.
Votes for the defeated candidates must be transferred to each ballot's next-ranked continuing
candidate, and the tabulation process reiterates beginning with clause (2). If no candidate
can be defeated mathematically, the tabulation must continue as described in clause (4);
new text end

new text begin (4) the transfer value of each vote cast for an elected candidate must be transferred
to the next continuing candidate on that ballot. Of the candidates whose vote totals reach
or exceed the threshold, the candidate with the largest surplus is declared elected and that
candidate's surplus is transferred. A tie between two or more candidates must immediately
and publicly be resolved by lot by the chief election official at the tabulation center. The
surplus of the candidate chosen by lot must be transferred before other transfers are made.
The result of the tie resolution must be recorded and reused in the event of a recount. If no
candidate has a surplus, the tabulation must continue as described in clause (5); otherwise,
the tabulation process must reiterate beginning with clause (2);
new text end

new text begin (5) if there are no transferable surplus votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is
defeated. Votes for the defeated candidate must be transferred to each ballot's next-ranked
continuing candidate. Ties between candidates with the fewest votes must be decided by
lot, and the candidate chosen by lot must be defeated. The result of the tie resolution must
be recorded and reused in the event of a recount. The tabulation process must reiterate
beginning with clause (2); and
new text end

new text begin (6) the procedures in clauses (2) to (5) must be repeated until the number of
candidates whose vote totals are equal to or exceed the threshold is equal to the number of
seats to be filled, or until the number of continuing candidates is equal to the number of
offices yet to be elected. If the number of continuing candidates is equal to the number of
offices yet to be elected, the remaining continuing candidates must be declared elected.
In the case of a tie between two continuing candidates, the tie must be decided by lot as
provided in section 204C.34, and the candidate chosen by lot must be defeated. The result
of the tie resolution must be recorded and reused in the event of a recount.
new text end

new text begin (b) When a single skipped ranking is encountered on a ballot, that ballot must count
toward the next nonskipped ranking. If any ballot cannot be advanced because no further
candidates are ranked on that ballot, because a voter has skipped more than one ranking,
or because an undervote, overvote, or duplicate ranking is encountered, the ballot must
not count toward any candidate in that round or in subsequent rounds for the office being
counted.
new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [204E.07] REPORTING RESULTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) Each precinct must print a precinct summary statement, which must include the
number of first choices cast for each candidate in that precinct.
new text end

new text begin (b) The ranked-choice voting tabulation center must print a summary statement with
the following information: total votes cast; number of undervotes; number of totally
defective and spoiled ballots; threshold calculation; total first choice rankings for all
candidates; round-by-round tabulation results, including simultaneous batch eliminations,
surplus transfers, and defeated candidate transfers; and exhausted ballots at each round.
new text end

new text begin (c) The summary statement must be certified as true and accurate and include the
signatures of those who are making the certification.
new text end

new text begin (d) The election abstract must include the information required in the ranked-choice
voting tabulation center summary statement, with the addition of the number of registered
voters by precinct, the number of same-day voter registrations, and the number of
absentee voters.
new text end

Sec. 8.

new text begin [204E.08] RECOUNTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) A candidate defeated in the final round of tabulation may request a recount
as provided in section 204C.36.
new text end

new text begin (b) A candidate defeated in the final round of tabulation when the vote difference is
greater than that provided in section 204C.36 may request a recount at the candidate's own
expense. A candidate defeated in an earlier round of tabulation may request a recount at the
candidate's own expense. The candidate is responsible for all expenses associated with the
recount, regardless of the vote difference between the candidates in the round in which the
requesting candidate was defeated. The requesting candidate shall file with the filing officer
a bond, cash, or surety in an amount set by the filing officer for the payment of the recount
expenses. Expenses must be determined as provided in section 204C.36, subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin (c) Rules adopted by the secretary of state under section 204C.36 for recounts apply
to recounts conducted under this section, as far as practicable.
new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin [204E.09] POSTELECTION REVIEW OF RANKED-CHOICE VOTING
SYSTEMS.
new text end

new text begin (a) Unless otherwise specified in this section, the requirements of section 206.89
apply to the postelection review of ranked-choice voting systems, as far as practicable.
new text end

new text begin (b) A postelection review of ranked-choice voting systems is required only where
tabulation software is used to determine the winner of an election. A postelection review
is not required for a race that will be subject to a recount pursuant to section 204E.08.
new text end

new text begin (c) When a postelection review is required under this section, the chief election
official must set the date, time, and place for the postelection review at least 30 days
before the election.
new text end

new text begin (d) When a postelection review is required under this section, the review must
include the district-wide vote totals for an office in at least one single-seat ranked choice
voting election and at least one multiple-seat ranked choice voting election, if such an
election occurred. The review must be conducted for elections decided most closely in
the final round, by percentage.
new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin [204E.10] RULES.
new text end

new text begin The secretary of state may adopt rules necessary to implement the requirements
and procedures established by this chapter.
new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205.13, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Notice of filing dates.

At least two weeks before the first day to file
affidavits of candidacy, the municipal clerk shall publish a notice stating the first and last
dates on which affidavits of candidacy may be filed in the clerk's office and the closing time
for filing on the last day for filing. The clerk shall post a similar notice at least ten days
before the first day to file affidavits of candidacy. new text begin The notice must indicate the method of
election to be used for the offices on the ballot. new text end The notice must separately list any office
for which affidavits of candidacy may be filed to fill the unexpired portion of a term when a
special election is being held to fill a vacancy as provided in section 412.02, subdivision 2a.

Sec. 12.

new text begin [206.802] ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEMS; PURCHASING.
new text end

new text begin Any new voting equipment purchased for use in Minnesota for the purpose of
replacing a voting system must have the ability to:
new text end

new text begin (1) capture and store ballot data;
new text end

new text begin (2) keep data anonymous;
new text end

new text begin (3) accept ranked or cumulative voting data under a variety of tabulation rules;
new text end

new text begin (4) be programmable to follow all other specifications of the ranked-choice voting
system as provided in chapter 204E;
new text end

new text begin (5) provide a minimum of three rankings for ranked-choice voting elections;
new text end

new text begin (6) notify voters of the following errors: overvotes, skipped rankings, and duplicate
rankings in a ranked-choice voting election; and
new text end

new text begin (7) be programmable to print a zero tape indicating all rankings for all candidates in
a ranked-choice voting election.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective upon certification by the secretary of
state that equipment meeting the standards required by this section has been certified for
use in Minnesota pursuant to section 206.57.
new text end