What's happening
This bill replaces traditional run-off primaries in New York City with instant run-off (ranked choice) voting for municipal offices.
Why it matters
Eliminates costly and low-turnout separate run-off elections. By moving to instant run-off (ranked choice) voting, New York City avoids having to hold a second run-off election if no candidate receives 40% of the vote, saving money and reducing voter fatigue.
Expands voter influence and choice. Ranked choice voting lets voters rank multiple candidates by preference, ensuring that votes for less popular candidates still count toward their next preferred choice, which can increase voter satisfaction and representation.
Reduces negative campaigning and encourages coalition-building. Candidates are incentivized to appeal to a broader base (not just their core supporters) to gain secondary rankings, potentially leading to more positive, issue-focused campaigns.
Addresses barriers for diverse candidates. Instant run-off voting can help level the playing field for minority or outsider candidates, who may be less likely to win in traditional plurality or run-off systems, but could succeed by accumulating broader second- and third-choice support.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Adopt Ranked-Choice Voting NYC
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Print number 1447a
- Amend (t) and recommit to elections
- Referred 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.
Adopt Ranked Choice Voting
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Robert C. Carroll
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1447--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 14, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections -- recommitted to the Committee on Elections in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to primary elections in the city of New York; and to repeal subdivision 5 of section 3-705 and subdivision 6 of section 3-709 of the administrative code of the city of New York relating to certain run-off elections in the city of New York
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 6-162 of the election law, as amended by chapter 424 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
§ 6-162. [Primary; New York City, run-off. 1. In the city of New York, when no candidate for the office of mayor, public advocate or comptroller receives forty percent or more of the votes cast by the members of a political party for such office in a city-wide primary election, the board of elections of such city shall conduct a run-off primary election between the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes for the same office.
2. In any jurisdiction that authorizes a run-off election after a primary election, if one of the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes for the same office files with the local board of elections a certificate of withdrawal within three days following such primary election, the board shall accept and certify the withdrawal and declare the remaining candidate the winner and no such run-off primary election shall be held. Such certificate of withdrawal shall be in affidavit or affirmation form as determined by the state board of elections.] Instant run-off voting in New York city. Elections for municipal office in the city of New York shall use an "instant run-off"
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06217-02-0
S. 1447--A 2
or "ranked choice" voting system, consistent with the provisions of the New York city charter and the administrative code of the city of New York.
§ 2. Subdivision 5 of section 3-705 of the administrative code of the city of New York is REPEALED.
§ 3. Subdivision 6 of section 3-709 of the administrative code of the city of New York is REPEALED.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to all municipal elections held in the city of New York on or after January 1, 2021.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to primary elections in the city of New York; and to repeal subdivision 5 of section 3-705 and subdivision 6 of section 3-709 of the administrative code of the city of New York relating to certain run-off elections in the city of New York
Purpose
This bill harmonizes the Election Law with the provision of the New York City Charter that was adopted, pursuant to an overwhelming majority of voters in the City of New York. The legislation would allow voters the choice of ranking up to five candidates in primary and special elections for Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, Borough President, and City Council starting in January 2021.
This improves the current run-off system of elections for New York City offices by eliminating the current costly and low-turnout run-off election system in favor of an "instant runoff," whereby voters rank candidates by order of preference and the top two vote getters (if none receives an outright majority of votes), instantly move to rounds of counting based on the votes cast for them on the ballots of eliminated candidates. This bill clarifies state law accordingly.
Summary of provisions
§ 1.Amends the Election Law to clarify that municipal elections within the City of New York shall be operated pursuant to the New York City Charter and Administrative Code provisions that establish an instant run-off or ranked choice voting system.
§ 2 and 3. Amends the Administrative Code of the City of New York to remove unnecessary references to a run-off primary.
§ 4. Provides that the act shall take effect immediately and apply to all New York City municipal elections conducted on or after January 1, 2021, consistent with the New York City Charter.
Existing law
The New York City Charter now directs that the City of New York shall use a system of instant run-off or ranked choice voting elections. This conforms State Election Law with the recent revision to the City Char- ter.
Justification
In 2013, New York City was required to hold a runoff election for the office of NYC Public Advocate. The runoff was necessary because none of the five candidates in the Democratic primary received 40 percent of the vote. Less than 190,000 Democrats voted in the runoff election. As of April 1, 2013, there were approximately 3.2 million registered Democrats in New York City. The runoff election cost New York City approximately $13 million for a meager Election Day turnout.
The current run-off system of voting in primary elections for offices of mayor, comptroller and public advocate in New York City is unduly expen- sive and generates an unacceptably low turnout of voters. An instant run-off voting system would eliminate the need for a costly second election and avoid the meager election day turnouts of runoff elections. Recognizing the great value in implementing this system, New York City residents overwhelmingly approved a revision to the City Charter at the 2019 November election. As a result, beginning in 2021, New York City will use ranked choice voting processes. This legislation codifies the approved revision to the City Charter in November 2019 referendum.
Legislative history
2019 Referred to Senate Elections
2019 Referred to Assembly Elections
2018 Referred to Senate Elections
2017 Referred to Senate Elections
2016 Referred to Senate Elections
2015 Referred to Senate Elections
Fiscal implications
No cost to the State. Will save New York City the cost of running runoff elections, which cost $13 million in 2013.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.