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Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-03-27

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill allows North Carolina political parties to optionally use a ranked-choice voting method in primary elections where no candidate receives 30% of the vote. Instead of holding a separate runoff election, voters would rank up to three candidates by preference on the same ballot, and if needed, second and third choices would be counted to determine a winner. The bill appropriates $410,000 annually for two years to develop ballot designs and voter education materials.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this system saves money and time by eliminating the need for expensive, low-turnout second primary elections while ensuring nominees have broader voter support.
• •They contend the ranked-choice method gives voters more voice in close races and is modeled on a successful 2010 North Carolina appellate court election.
• •Proponents say this approach makes voting more convenient since voters cast one ballot instead of returning to polls multiple times.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may worry that ranked-choice voting is confusing for voters unfamiliar with the system, potentially leading to mistakes or ballot spoilage.
• •Critics could argue that the $820,000 total cost for implementation and training, along with changes needed to voting equipment across jurisdictions, is wasteful when traditional runoffs already work.
• •Some may contend that the method could advantage certain types of candidates or change traditional campaign dynamics in unpredictable ways.