Bill · S. 3425· Senate(119-S-3425)
Ranked Choice Voting Act
- Introduced
- 12/10/2025
- Last activity
- 12/10/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- Sponsored by
- Peter Welch
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Ranked Choice Voting Act requires all States to use ranked choice voting for elections of Senators and Representatives in Congress. This system allows voters to rank candidates by preference, with ballots tabulated in multiple rounds to determine a winner. The bill prohibits States from holding separate runoff elections for these federal offices. It establishes specific rules for ballot design, tabulation processes, and the handling of ties. To assist with the transition, the federal government will provide payments to States to cover implementation costs. These changes are set to take effect for federal elections held on or after January 1, 2030.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this make elections run better?+6
The bill implements a standardized ranked choice voting system and provides funds for election infrastructure.
Does this protect the right to vote?+5
The bill standardizes ranked choice voting for federal elections to increase voter choice.
Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice?+4
The bill provides federal funding to help states implement new voting equipment and voter education.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Standardized Election Process: Every State must use a system where voters rank candidates in order of preference, which includes primary, special, and general elections (Section 2, Sec. 321(a)).
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Voter Choice and Clarity: Ballots must be designed to allow voters to rank candidates, include all qualified candidates, and provide necessary instructions to ensure voters can successfully cast their ballots (Section s, Sec. 321(b)).
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Financial Support for Implementation: States will receive payments based on their number of registered voters to help cover the costs of updating equipment, software, and training election officials (Section 3, Sec. 341).
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Legal Recourse for Voters: Any person living in a State can bring a civil action in federal court if their State fails to meet the requirements of this act (Section 4, Sec. 351(a)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Prohibition of Traditional Runoffs: States are no longer allowed to hold separate runoff elections for Senators or Representatives in Congress after the initial primary or general election (Section 2, Sec. 322).
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Complex Tabulation Rules: The new process involves multiple rounds of elimination where votes are redistributed, and specific rules apply to "inactive" ballots if a voter's ranked candidates are eliminated (Section 2, Sec. 331).
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Potential for Ties to be Resolved by Lot: If a tie occurs during the tabulation process, it must be resolved by lot or another method provided by State law (Section 2, Sec. 333(a)).
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Mandatory Changes to Primary Elections: States must adjust their primary election structures to comply with the new ranking and tabulation requirements (Section 2, Sec. 323).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Electoral Process+6Improves Due Process+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Voting Rights+5Improves Voting Access+4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Urban Residents+1
- 12/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey