Committee reviews multiple election‑law proposals including ranked‑choice voting, fusion voting, top‑two primary, automatic voter registration and corrections‑v

The House Committee on State Government and Elections spent March 25, 2025, reviewing a slate of election‑law proposals ranging from ranked‑choice voting to fusion voting and administrative measures intended to expand voter access.

Ranked‑choice voting: Representatives and civic groups pressed for trial uses. Representative Kislak presented two bills (H 5275 and H 5276). H 5275 would apply ranked‑choice voting (RCV) to party primary elections for the General Assembly, while H 5276 would allow a single‑election pilot using RCV for the presidential preference primary. Rachel Hutchinson of FairVote told the committee that the presidential primary is an especially good initial use because it is a single, focused contest and “ranked choice voting also reduces pressure on candidates to drop out because less popular candidates aren't told that they're splitting or siphoning votes.” Witnesses representing Ocean State Ranked Choice Voting, Common Cause, and local residents described studies and experience from other jurisdictions showing high voter comprehension and minimal ballot spoilage; several speakers urged enactment now so there would be time to…