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History
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Notice of committee consideration - requested
- Referred to elections
- Print number 422a
- Amend and recommit to elections
- Referred to elections
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Creates a pilot program to provide for an instant runoff voting method to be used in up to ten local governments for two years provides for repeal of provisions
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S422A
Title of bill
An act to create a pilot program to test an instant runoff voting method of elections and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose or general idea of bill
This act would permit the use of the instant runoff voting method on a trial basis in certain local elections in years 2012 and 2013. This pilot program would permit the State Legislature to evaluate the broader application of the instant runoff voting method to elections in New York State.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Legislative Findings Section 2. Definitions Section 3. Pilot Program Section 4. Ballot features and designs Section 5. Procedures for determining a winner using IRV method Section 6. Voter Education Section 7. Construal Section 8. Severability Section 9. Effective Date
Justification
The current system of voting often results in the election of a candidate who does not have the majority support of the electorate when there are three or more candidates running for an elective office. When there are three or more candidates for an elective office, voters often will not vote for their preferred candidate to avoid "wasting" their vote on a "spoiler" candidate. The instant run-off voting method provides for the majority election for elective offices. Instant runoff voting gives voters the option to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives a majority of first choice votes, then the candidate receiving the fewest first choice votes is eliminated. Each vote cast for the eliminated candidate shall be transferred to the candidate who was the voter's next choice on the ballot. The instant runoff voting method frees voters to mark their ballots for the candidate they truly prefer without fear that their choice will help elect their least preferred candidate.
Fiscal implications
None.
Legislative history
2009-2010: S.3589-A/A.7492-A
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately, and shall remain in full force and effect until December 31, 2016 when upon such date the provisions of this act shall expire and be deemed repealed.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.