The first in a series of meetings will provide a comprehensive report in March, 2024
The state-mandated Ranked-Choice and Voting Systems Task Force met recently for the first time to evaluate the current state of Illinois’ election systems and discuss the process of implementing Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) for Illinois’ 2028 presidential primaries. State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) and State Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) were elected as co-chairs of the Task Force during the call.
The Task Force will facilitate an accounting for how the state certifies certain election systems and equipment because right now, 30% of Illinois’ counties are utilizing outdated voting machines and systems that are vulnerable to election security threats.
“We took a concrete step towards creating a more inclusive election process that will benefit voters and candidates, while helping Illinois modernize its election technology and improve election safety,” said Murphy. “I look forward to our upcoming meetings and am proud to be on a team that is dedicated to making elections better in Illinois.”
Using RCV in presidential primaries ensures that nominees represent a true reflection of the will of the people. It helps reduce wasted votes, curb toxicity, encourage greater diversity of candidates, and empower voters to back their preferred candidate instead of feeling they have to vote “strategically” against another candidate. Four states and territories will use RCV in their 2024 presidential primaries, and over 60 cities and counties have adopted RCV for local elections.
“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,” West stated. “There’s exciting work in the coming months as the Task Force dives into the possibilities of improving our electoral systems.”
In an RCV Presidential Primary election, votes from the first round are tallied; 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 their voters’ second preferences. This process continues until remaining candidates reach respective party thresholds.
The Task Force is a result of an elections bill signed into law last year to review voting systems and methods of voting, including ranked-choice voting, that could be authorized by law in Illinois. Recommendations provided by the Task Force will not mandate the use of RCV in presidential primaries, but it will make it possible for the Democratic and Republican parties to opt into using RCV in Illinois for presidential primaries. All upcoming Task Force meetings will be posted here.