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HB 7380

AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jon Brien and 5 co-sponsors

Rhode Island HB 7380 bans ranked-choice voting and vote-transfer systems in all elections, voids conflicting ordinances, and requires only one vote per position with immediate effe

04/16/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 7380

Summary of HB 7380 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Title

AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS — CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES

Core purpose and intent

HB 7380 seeks to prohibit the use of ranked-choice voting (RCV) in all elections for local, state, and federal public offices in Rhode Island. The measure would ban any voting systems that allow voters to rank candidates, vote for more than one candidate for the same office, or reallocate a vote to another candidate. It would void existing or future local ordinances that conflict with these prohibitions and render elections conducted under a prohibited system void.

Key provisions

  • Section 17-19-24.4: Ranked Choice Voting Prohibition

    • Prohibits in all elections:
    • (a)(1) Voting systems that allow casting votes for more than one candidate for the same office.
    • (a)(2) Voting systems that permit ranking multiple candidates for the same office.
    • (a)(3) Voting systems that reallocate a voter's vote from one candidate to another candidate for the same office (vote transfers).
    • (b) Clarifies that jurisdictions may still conduct at-large elections or multi-member districts if each voter has one vote per position and no vote transfers occur between candidates.
    • (c) Any municipal or substate ordinance conflicting with this section is void.
    • (d) Elections conducted under a prohibited system are void, and no candidate can be elected under such a system.

  • Section 2: Effective date

    • The act takes effect upon passage (immediate effective date upon enactment).

Who would be affected

  • All elections in Rhode Island at the local, state, and federal levels.
  • Election jurisdictions (cities, towns, state agencies) that might otherwise use or consider ranked-choice voting or systems with vote transfers.
  • Candidates and voters in elections conducted under allowed “one vote per position” frameworks, including at-large or multi-member districts, provided there are no vote transfers.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: January 28, 2026, to House State Government & Elections.
  • Committee activity:
    • March 20, 2026: Scheduled hearing/consideration.
    • March 23, 2026: Committee postponed at sponsor’s request.
    • April 10, 2026: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration.
    • April 16, 2026: Committee recommended the measure be held for further study.
  • Effective date: Immediate upon passage.

Potential implications

  • If enacted, Rhode Island would eliminate ranked-choice voting and any voting systems permitting ranking, multiple candidate votes for the same office, or vote transfers.
  • Localities could still pursue at-large or multi-member district structures, but only if each voter has one vote per position and no transferable votes occur.
  • Any existing or future ordinances enabling ranked-choice voting would be rendered void to the extent they conflict with this act.
  • The bill would affect election administration, ballot design, and voter education by mandating single-choice voting methods nationwide within the state.

Summary in one sentence

HB 7380 would ban ranked-choice voting and related vote-transfer mechanisms in all Rhode Island elections, void conflicting local ordinances, allow only one vote per position in applicable elections, and take effect immediately upon passage.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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