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Senate panel advances bill to let localities use ranked-choice voting
Summary
The Virginia Senate Elections Subcommittee voted to report substitute Senate Bill 1009, which would allow localities to adopt ranked-choice voting for municipal offices, on a 5-3 vote after proponents said the measure is permissive and opponents raised concerns about voter confusion and auditability.
Senate Bill 1009, a measure to allow localities to adopt ranked-choice voting for local offices such as city councils and school boards, was reported by the Virginia Senate Elections Subcommittee on a 5-3 vote.
The bill’s patron, Senator Sling, told the subcommittee the substitute keeps ranked-choice voting “permissive so that the localities have these options” and that local election offices already have systems capable of tabulation. He said the bill “provides additional support” and a pathway for voter education and future technology related to elections.
The Nut Graf: Supporters said the change would expand a narrowly used option and help localities that already run the program to standardize training and tabulation; opponents warned that the approach could confuse voters and create auditing challenges if not implemented carefully.
During the hearing Mary Crutchfield of the League of Women Voters of Virginia testified in support, saying SB 1009 “would make our elections more accessible, would promote nominees with broad support, and would ensure that every voter's voice is heard.” Liz White, executive director of Upvote Virginia, also supported the substitute and said it “puts some security and some good resources behind what already exists.”
Opponents included Melody Clark of Virginia Institute Action, who said ranked-choice voting “undermines simplicity, fairness, and transparency” and raised concerns about ballot exhaustion and delayed results. Anne Gregorian, another speaker opposing the bill, argued that ranked-choice voting “cannot be audited” and “cannot be reported by precinct.”
Subcommittee members questioned how voter education and tabulation would be managed. Senator Sling said the bill requires localities to notify the State Board of Elections when they adopt ranked-choice voting, allowing local offices to tap available resources for voter education, and that the bill excludes constitutional officers from the expansion.
The subcommittee approved the substitute and the clerk closed the roll; the bill was reported 5 to 3.
The committee recorded written comments for and against the bill, and no formal second-reading action occurred in this hearing.
Looking ahead, subcommittee members said implementation details — especially voter education and the mechanics of tabulation — would be up to local election officials and the State Board of Elections to operationalize.
