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Bill

Bill

SB 2004

ELEC CD-RANKED-CHOICE VOTING

104th Regular Session Introduced by Graciela Guzmán and 1 co-sponsor

Illinois bill implementing ranked-choice voting would require voters to rank candidates by preference, eliminating lowest-vote candidates until someone achieves majority support.

Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 2004

Legislative bill overview

SB 2004 would implement ranked-choice voting (RCV) for elections in Illinois, allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and those ballots are redistributed based on voters' second choices, continuing until a winner emerges. The bill has been referred to the Elections Committee for consideration.

Why is this important

Ranked-choice voting is a structural change to how elections function that could affect electoral outcomes, voter behavior, and campaign dynamics. Proponents argue it reduces the "spoiler effect," increases voter choice, and may encourage more civil campaigning. The approach has been adopted in several U.S. jurisdictions but remains controversial and unfamiliar to most Illinois voters, making implementation questions significant.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation complexity: RCV requires new voting equipment, voter education, and ballot design changes, raising costs and logistical concerns for election administration
  • Electoral impact uncertainty: The system could change which candidates win office; critics worry it may disadvantage certain groups or create unpredictable outcomes, while supporters see this as correcting current distortions
  • Voter comprehension: Concerns that ranked-choice voting may confuse voters unfamiliar with the system, potentially leading to invalid ballots or reduced participation in ranking preferences

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

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