Great News, HB1103 and HB506 Headed to the House Floor!

On Monday, February 3rd, two bills that we are tracking are headed to the House floor for first reading! These two bills propose local pilot use of ranked choice voting elections. HB1103 would allow any locality who chose to adopt RCV elections to try it between a delayed enactment date of 2021 and a sunset of 2031. HB506 is a similar bill, but specific to Arlington County.

With each movement forward of a bill through subcommittee and committee in the Virginia General Assembly, the chances of passage increase. However, passage is not guaranteed, as we have seen in years prior. We still need constituents to email and call their representatives in the House of Delegates by 11 am Monday morning. You can find out who represents you by clicking this link and entering your address.

Here is a sample script you can use when contacting your Delegate and their staff:

"Dear Delegate _________, 

I am your constituent living at [enter your address]. I support HB1103 which is a local pilot for ranked choice voting (RCV) which will make local elections better, faster, and cheaper in jurisdictions that want to use it. I ask that you vote in support of this bill this week. 

This bill gives localities the option to pilot ranked choice voting for their local governing body with no anticipated fiscal impact to the state budget. Most localities already have the equipment capable for RCV. Finally, places that already have RCV have seen higher turnout, cleaner campaigning, and greater engagement from diverse candidates and voters.

Thank you, 

Your Name"