WisconsinWisconsin voters would rank candidates in most elections
If adopted, the proposal would have Wisconsin voters rank candidates in most elections, with later choices counted when no one wins a first-choice majority.
What it does
Voters would rank candidates in order in most elections. If no one wins a first-choice majority, the count would move to later choices as low-vote candidates are eliminated.
The Elections Commission could spend money on ranked-choice voting and give counties and municipalities grants for equipment, software, and secure technology.
Voters would use ranked choices in partisan primaries, special primaries for partisan offices, and presidential preference primaries to select candidates advancing or express party preferences.
Argument forVoters could rank several candidates, and later choices might help decide a race when no one wins a first-choice majority.
Argument againstA voter’s later choices might not help if they leave them blank, so their ballot could have less effect as candidates are eliminated.
More detail
The proposal would use ranked-choice voting in most elections. The rule covers elections for federal, state, and local offices, except recall elections and the other exceptions listed in the bill. Voters could rank candidates in order and could leave some choices blank. The bill lists exceptions for certain elections, including recall elections.
The Elections Commission could spend money and give grants to support ranked-choice voting. Counties and municipalities could receive grants to run ranked-choice voting and count those votes. Grants could support updated equipment, software, and secure technology.
The proposal would use ranked-choice voting in specified primary elections. The provisions cover partisan primaries, special primaries for partisan offices, and presidential preference primaries. The bill keeps special primaries for partisan offices, partisan primaries, and presidential preference primaries.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 1Fiscal estimate receivedLatest
- Mar 23Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1Major
- Mar 19Read first time and referred to Committee on Campaigns and ElectionsMinor
- Mar 19Introduced by Representatives Anderson, Brown, Clancy, Emerson, Hong, Moore Omokunde, Rivera-Wagner, Sheehan, Sinicki, Subeck, Stroud, Stubbs, Tenorio and Udell; cosponsored by Senators Spreitzer, Pfaff, Larson, Dassler-Alfheim and RoysIntroduced
Civil Rights & Voting