Senate Elections Committee recommends SF 1071 to let local governments adopt ranked‑choice voting

Senate File 1071, the Local Voices Local Choices Act, was recommended for passage by the Minnesota Senate Elections Committee after a 6–5 roll call vote that referred the bill to the State and Local Government Committee. The bill would allow cities, counties and school districts to adopt ranked‑choice voting as a local option and directs the secretary of state to set standards and certify RCV tabulation systems.

Senator Eric Carlson, sponsor of SF 1071, told the committee the bill is about ‘‘local voices [and] local choices’’ and stressed it is optional for jurisdictions: "This is not a mandate. It is a matter of choice," Carlson said. He described RCV as a way to ensure winners have majority support and to encourage more positive campaigns.

Supporters told the committee RCV can increase turnout in comparable local elections, expand candidate diversity and eliminate some low‑turnout local primaries. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said the bill levels the playing field by removing a two‑tier system that currently lets only some charter cities adopt RCV, and he welcomed the bill’s statewide standards for implementation. "That is an extremely helpful part of this bill from our standpoint in the Office of Secretary of State," Simon said.

Testimony from local officials and advocates emphasized practical effects in places that already use RCV. Minnetonka…