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Bill

HB 658

Elections; allows for any local or constitutional office to be conducted by ranked choice voting.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Josh Cole

Allows Virginia localities to voluntarily adopt ranked choice voting for local and constitutional office elections instead of traditional plurality voting.

Left in Privileges and Elections
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 658

Legislative bill overview

HB 658 would authorize Virginia localities and constitutional offices to implement ranked choice voting (RCV) systems for their elections, rather than the current plurality voting method. The bill allows—but does not mandate—jurisdictions to adopt RCV, giving them local discretion over electoral systems.

Why is this important

Ranked choice voting changes how votes are counted and winners determined, potentially affecting election outcomes, voter behavior, and campaign strategies. This could influence representation patterns and voter participation rates, while also requiring significant changes to election administration infrastructure and voter education.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and complexity: Localities would bear expenses for new voting equipment, poll worker training, and voter education; some argue this creates unequal access depending on local resources
  • Voter confusion and participation: Critics worry RCV ballots are more complex and could suppress turnout or lead to miscast ballots, while supporters claim it increases meaningful voter choice
  • Election administration burden: Election officials have raised concerns about counting procedures, audit capabilities, and timeline feasibility, particularly for close races requiring multiple rounds of tabulation

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

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