Task force to explore ranked choice voting in Illinois criticized for partisanship

(The Center Square) – The first meeting of a task force to explore ranked choice voting in Illinois got off to a rocky start Tuesday after some members called for bipartisanship.

The Ranked-Choice and Voting Systems Task Force is expected to evaluate the current state of Illinois’ election systems and discuss the process of implementing ranked choice voting for Illinois’ 2028 presidential primaries. The task force is a result of an elections bill signed into law last year to review voting systems and methods of voting that could be authorized in Illinois.

It will also facilitate an accounting for how the state certifies certain election systems and equipment because supporters said 30% of Illinois’ counties are utilizing outdated voting machines and systems that are vulnerable to election security threats.

“Ranked choice voting is a practical and effective approach to refining our electoral process and empowering voters, ensuring their choice remains relevant even if their top candidate withdraws,” said state Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford.

With ranked choice voting, votes from the first round are tallied, then candidates with the fewest votes who do not meet the threshold set by their respective party are eliminated. That candidate’s votes are redistributed to the remaining candidates based on voters’ second preferences.

- Advertisement -

State Sen. Laura Murphy, D-Des Plaines, and West were elected as co-chairs of the task force during the first meeting Tuesday. The law that created the task force said co-chairs would be elected from members appointed by the Senate president and the speaker of the House, both Democrats.

That didn’t sit well with state Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria.

“When we’re dealing with elections issues like this, it gives a particular emphasis to why bipartisanship should matter and unfortunately I think this only will enhance some of the suspicion that is lingering out there about the topic of ranked choice voting,” said Spain.

Opponents of the voting method also highlight something called “ballot exhaustion,” when voters choose not to fill out their ballot completely, and their votes are not utilized in further rounds once the candidates they did rank have been eliminated.

The statute creating the group says the task force must produce a report on its findings and recommendations by June 30, 2025.

Three states, Alaska, Hawaii and Maine, use ranked choice voting statewide, but five states, Florida, Tennessee, South Dakota, Montana and Idaho, have passed measures prohibiting the use of the voting method.

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

WATCH: IL family fighting state to keep child with disabilities closer to home

(The Center Square) – A southern Illinois family is...

55,000 LA County employees go on strike as county cuts spending, avoids layoffs

(The Center Square) - Fifty-five thousand Los Angeles County...

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Tuesday April 29th, 2025

(The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois...

‘Main Street, not Wall Street’: Trump defends tariffs, touts immigration success

President Donald Trump delivered remarks at a rally in...

1,786 Wisconsin deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease in 2024

(The Center Square) – There were 1,786 deer that...

Report: WA wealth tax would not cause ‘mass exodus of millionaires’

(The Center Square) – A novel tax proposal out...

Louisa County Board of Supervisors approve $187.6M budget

(The Center Square) – Louisa County, Va. supervisors unanimously...

More like this
Related

WATCH: IL family fighting state to keep child with disabilities closer to home

(The Center Square) – A southern Illinois family is...

55,000 LA County employees go on strike as county cuts spending, avoids layoffs

(The Center Square) - Fifty-five thousand Los Angeles County...

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Tuesday April 29th, 2025

(The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois...