LANSING — The Michigan House voted to ban ranked choice voting this week, though the proposal is unlikely to make it through the state Senate.
Ranked choice voting allows voters to rank candidates based on their preference, generally one through five.
After each vote count, the candidate with the fewest votes is removed, while the votes of their supporters are awarded to the candidate they picked as their second choice.
That process continues until one candidate reaches 50%.
Two states — Alaska and Maine — have implemented ranked choice voting for local positions, statewide offices and the presidency.
Opponents of ranked choice voting say that it complicates the process for voters and election workers, who already took on greater responsibilities in response to a 2022 constitutional amendment.
“This legislation would ensure that we don’t see further dramatic changes to our election before the ink has even dried on some of the massive changes that have occurred,” said Rep. Rachelle Smit, (R) District 43, Martin.
Supporters of ranked choice voting say that the practice allows voters to better represent their interests and could lead to more support for third party candidates.
“Ranked choice voting is simple — it’s fair, and it gives people more voice in their elections,” said Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou, (D) District 75, East Lansing. “It ensures leaders have majority support instead of slipping into office with a fraction of the vote.”
The bill — HB 4707 — passed with support from almost all Republicans and opposition from most Democrats, though a handful abstained instead of voting.
The proposal stands little chance in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Republicans are looking to get ahead of the “Rank MI Vote” campaign, which is gathering signatures to appear on the 2026 ballot.
If approved by voters, that proposal would put the right to ranked choice voting into the state constitution.